HA – Do we need fewer state legislators?

Do we need fewer state legislators?

ONE OF THE MONEY-SAVING plans circulating in the Mississippi Senate would reduce the number of state lawmakers by 10 percent.

An amended bill introduced by Sen. Walter Michel, R-Jackson, would trim the size of the House from 122 members to 110 and streamline the Senate by eliminating five seats, reducing the total number of senators from 52 to 47.

Senate President Pro Tem Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport, invoked the bad economy as a reason for the downsizing. He said state revenues are falling about 10 percent below projections, so the Legislature should consider thinning its own ranks by a similar percentage.

Hattiesburg American
2/12/10