They also started income tax indexing. Unlike the rebate, indexing's an idea that successors have kept around. They legalized graduated payment mortgages and variable rate mortgages. They cut unemployment benefits and allowed credit unions to run checking accounts. Much has changed since 1978 and not all of it for the better.
Budgets are larger.
The costs of campaigns have exploded and they're about to become more expensive now that corporate contributions are legal. Some things never change, though. If you aren't a member, it's still hard to find a place to park around here. There are about thirty lobbyists here who are former members and they'll all tell you the greatest mistake they made while serving was in not providing more places for people to park. But a lot of good things have happened, too.