Reduce Monroe County Legislature size? Good or bad idea?
The Monroe County Legislature Democratic minority held a news conference where they unveiled a plan to basically cut the size of the Monroe County Legislature in half. There are 29 seats and the Democratic proposal reduces that number to 15. The Republican Majority will redraw the districts based on the 2010 census.
Democrats, who hold 13 of 29 seats, claimed the proposal, which would reduce the legislature to 15 seats, would save $500,000 per year when lawmakers’ salaries, benefits and resources are calculated.
The legislature’s total budget is $2.1 million, which the Brooks administration classifies as a “mandated expense.” Rank-and-file lawmakers earn $18,000 per year, meaning that cutting 14 legislative seats would trim $252,000 in salaries alone.
Via press release from minority leader Harry Bronson’s office
The proposal will bring Monroe County in line with peer counties in terms of the number of constituents per legislative district. Currently there are about 25,000 people living in each district, whereas Monroe’s peer counties average slightly more than 50,000 per district. After enactment, Monroe would have roughly 50,000 people living in each district. Upon voter approval in November 2010, this proposal would take effect on January 1, 2012, following the redistricting process.
Not that it is going to ever happen because
Republican Majority Leader Dan Quatro, R-Webster, called the proposal “a thinly veiled attempt” by Democrats to regain control of the legislature.
See Dan Quatro assumes that the secret plan depends on he the Republicans to redistrict themselves out of power. Funny that.
If anything his comments once again highlights that the Republican majority does not engage the Democratic minority in County governance.
Nevertheless, what do you think of the proposal?
If the number of legislators is reduced the cost of governing is also reduced. On the flip side, the number of constituents served per legislator is increased. There is a higher concentration of power I suppose. Probably the cost ot get elected increases reducing the number of people who would/could run for office.
So good or bad idea?