Should the size of the Legislature be reduced? By how much?

By Todd Elliott Koger

We have the second-most-expensive statehouse in America.

We have the second-most-expensive statehouse in America. And as a percentage of the total state budget, no state spends more money on its lawmaking body than Pennsylvania. First among states in legislative spending as a percentage of general government spending (0.53 percent). Second in total legislative spending. Third in legislative spending per citizen, $23.01. Second in size of permanent legislative staff, 2,947. And, the walking-around money that leaders dole out, that account grows each year ($215 million a year ago.)

In the past 14 months, lawmakers introduced more than 3,500 bills, but only 118 laws were enacted and 39 of those were budget bills. I support the Smith and Vulakovich bill that will cut 20 percent of the total state budget.