richstowe t1_jde2521 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 6:53 PM

Sure double their salaries but why are there 180 assemblymen . (150 house reps and 30 senators) That's way way too many members . Cut their numbers by half or more and triple their compensation .

RamaSchneider OP t1_jdgonjo wrote on March 24, 2023 at 7:20 AM

I get your point, but the flip side of that argument is that the more legislators there are, the more diffuse political decision making power is and the easier it is for locals to access their state reps.

It it's just about money, then I'll agree with your assessment. But I believe it is about more then just money.

richstowe t1_jdjujod wrote on March 24, 2023 at 10:27 PM

I've got to believe (but am too lazy to research it) that Vt is has the most extreme number of legislators for the population . Plus nominal pay and limited responsibility leads more homogeneity not less . I'm talking seniors of which I am one .

RamaSchneider OP t1_jdlidhn wrote on March 25, 2023 at 7:40 AM

66 myself, and I think New Hampshire is one that has more reps per voters, I'm not sure about other states.

As I said, I think it's about more then just a dollar figure. It's about how we run our common government.

When the Paine Mountain School District (at that time we still called it "Central Vermont Unified Union School District") held it's first organizational meeting, I made sure to push for an increase in what school board members were receiving for a stipend.

I pushed for it so fewer folks would be facing financial barriers to serving their community. I think this issue is important.