Cut Legislature in half by Michael Pochan

Wednesday, August 9, 2006
I see that state Sen. John Pippy, R, Moon, is using the
tactic favored in our Congress: make a tough stand on
a hot voter issue to appease the angry electorate but
design the action to occur four or more years later
when hopefully voters have forgotten about their
outrage ("Legislature needs to earn voters' trust,"
Aug. 2 and PghTrib.com).
Pippy proposes reduction in the size of the General
Assembly.
I say no. Don't waver. Let's get it done in this
election. Stick with the plan to vote out the
incumbents who steal our money constantly.
Let us also insist that the newly elected lawmakers
immediately pursue cutting their houses in half.
We do not need a census to merge neighboring
districts. We can let a Carnegie Mellon software
program do it.
The rural vs. urban argument is nonsense. A 2-into-1
merger of existing districts maintains the same rural
vs. urban distribution. Vote proudly for the candidate
who volunteers to leave after the downsizing is
successful.
Thus, I strongly disagree with Jake Haulk of the
Allegheny Institute, who favors accountability over
reduction.
In the for-profit world, failed accountability results
in getting the ax. Quickly. And the next person learns
to be accountable.
Michael Pochan, North Huntingdon