Senate Finance Chair John Chichester says the General Assembly should cut its 46-day schedule in 2007 to 30 days. Chichester made the suggestion out of sympathy for legislative staffers, who have been forced to work overtime for two of the past three years, reports Christina Nuckols with the Virginian-Pilot.
But Chichester added that idea won’t work unless legislators exercise self-restraint and reduce the number of bills they introduce. This year, writes Nuckols, legislators filed 3,287 bills and resolutions during the regular session and added 391 after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine called a special session.
I quite agree that legislators file too many silly bills that clog the legislative process. But I don’t agree that the General Assembly should cut the length of the session. If anything, lawmakers need to stick around longer to work through the really complex challenges of restructuring government. Next year, that means grappling with the House legislative package to reform transportation and land use that got bumped from September’s special transportation session. Thirty days just won’t cut it.
Virginia is saddled with a government structure designed for the early 20th century — some 75 years out of date. If we want the Commonwealth to remain competitive in a global economy, lawmakers must give unremitting attention to reinventing, restructuring and streamlining government. The House seems up to the task. “It’s a lot to cram into 30 days. I think we should have a 60-day session every year,” House Appropriations Chairman Vincent Callahan, R-Fairfax, told Nuckols.
It’s an old joke that no man’s life, liberty or property is safe while the General Assembly is in session. Sometimes, that seems all too true. But witticisms shouldn’t drive policy. There’s real work ahead. The General Assembly needs to set aside the time to do it.