Insider Editorial:

How To Fix A Broken State Government

By the Editorial Board of InsiderAdvantage and James Magazine

(4/5/08) There were no winners in the 2008 legislative session, and as the dust starts to settle, you can see a bitter disappointment reflected in the faces not only of the state’s political establishment but of the business leadership, as well.

The fact that the presiding officers of the House and Senate couldn’t even observe the time-honored tradition of pronouncing the words “sine die” simultaneously speaks as eloquently as anything else about the dysfunction among the Republican majority.

Our polling shows the public isn’t watching all that closely, and for that the state’s top leaders should breathe a huge sigh of relief. But that can turn on a dime. And when it does, the Republicans who promised they would bring a different culture to state government will be faced with explaining why they didn’t.

As policymakers, there is little lawmakers can do to “fix” the personality clashes that are only the most visible sign of the problem, and they are trapped in a system that is rapidly making the Georgia Legislature as fiercely partisan and unproductive as the national legislature in Washington.

So maybe it’s time for Republicans to really embrace the GOP philosophy that got them started on the road to majority in the first place on a platform that called for term limits, limited government, open records, less regulation and no cronyism.

Here are some ideas for starters:

* Institute term limits like those in place in neighboring Florida. Two terms in the House and Senate. Florida has its problems, but their legislative process is a shining star compared to Georgia’s. The argument against such an approach is that without the institutional knowledge of long-time lawmakers, the staff would run the show. Could that be any worse than what we saw from the 2008 Georgia Legislature? Besides, that has not proved to be the case in Florida.

* Somewhat facetiously, we suggest revamping the schedule for the two-year legislative term, with one restricted only to adopting a midyear and general budget. The other year could include all of the silliness the members can come up with. At least the public would only be in peril every other year, and legislators could keep their real jobs.

* Let’s do something about these sessions creeping further and further into the spring, as opposed to adjourning by St. Patrick’s Day, as was the usual goal of Democrats. How about making the 40-day schedule one that runs without interruption (except for weekends) straight through? Staying in session into April can’t be good for legislators’ family or work lives– or, for that matter, the general welfare of the public.

* Here’s another good idea from Florida: Ban all gifts – whether they be meals, game tickets or whatever – from lobbyists to legislators. Additionally, limit the amount legislators may be asked to contribute to the victory funds of their party or cause to $1,000. That would eliminate the insane pressure being placed on lobbyists and businesses who are being “shaken down” with a fury in this state by desperate committee chairs who, at present, must pay what is essentially tribute money to hold their positions.

* Limit, as does Florida, the terms of the presiding officers of both the House and Senate. While Florida limits the terms to two years, we would limit them to four years. And as a kind of consolation prize to the lieutenant governor, the state should also adopt the law in force in some states that stipulates when the governor decides to leave the state – say, in the closing days of the session – the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor. That may make something like a trip to China seem a little less important.