There is an abundance of consolidation plans being considered at the state and municipal levels. Why not start at the top – trimming the number of representatives in the Maine Legislature?

Comparing states of a similar population reveals a disproportionately high amount of Maine representatives. Idaho and New Mexico each have 70, Rhode Island – 75, West Virginia – 100, Maine – 151.

A streamlined legislature would be more efficient and produce significant savings for taxpayers. Other probable benefits include:

• A cut in the number of legislative bills proposed. A whopping 2,400-plus bills have been proposed for consideration by the 123rd Legislature. That is not a manageable workload.

• Less funding for clean-election candidates would be needed since there would be fewer campaigns to back.

• Significant savings from having fewer legislative aides, staff members.

Four legislative bills will be discussed at a public hearing on April 25, starting at 3 p.m. in Room 216 of the Cross Building in Augusta. The one topping my wish list is LD 1552, sponsored by Rep. Edward Finch, D-Fairfield.

This resolution proposes cutting the House to 105 members and keeping the Senate at 35. It directs redistricting to be conducted in 2008, with the reduction taking effect in 2009.

After an initial expense of approximately $450,000, the bill projects a savings of almost $2 million per fiscal year.

Patti Mikkelsen, New Gloucester

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