Once again, there is talk about having a full-time legislature in Rhode Island.  Frank Ciccone is planning to push a bill which would reduce the size of the House from 75 to 50 members, and the Senate from 38 to 25 members.  Each of these individuals would receive a salary of $85,000, except for leadership, which would receive salaries of $145,000. 

     Senator Ciccone seems to think it would be a good idea if legislators weren't drawing a pay check from an entity other than the state.  He seems to imply that outside employment could pose a conflict of interest.  It's interesting to hear him make this argument, since he is employed by unions, who have been criticized for wielding too much power at the State House.  Is Mr. Ciccone experiencing conflicts that prevent him from being the best senator he can be?  It makes you wonder.

     Today's Providence Journal states that the General Assembly will consider at least 196 different bills this week.  After being adjourned for nearly 4 months, they have come back to rush passage and consideration of supposedly important laws.  If these laws were so important, then why weren't they passed during the first 6 months of the year?  Why didn't the General Assembly meet sooner?  Could it be that they are just creating laws that aren't necessary?  In many cases, this seems to be true.

     A full-time legislature is not the answer for Rhode Island.  The General Assembly normally drags their feet from January through early June, then rushes to do six months worth of work in a week or two.  If they made better use of their time, a full-time legislature wouldn't be necessary.  Just look at this week's Assembly session.  Did they really have to take a four month break?  Couldn't they have come back sooner?  Most importantly, will they be able to properly address a minimum of 196 bills in just three days?  I doubt it.  If they acted more like the professionals they claim to be, rather than a high school kid scurrying to write a paper hours before it's due, they might be more productive.

     The smallest state in the union, with a population of just over 1 million people, does not need a full-time legislator.  What we do need is a group of dedicated, honest, serious-minded people who know how to make good use of their time.