Dec 31, 2008 - 04:05:26 CST
The 2009 Legislature convenes next week. Citizens have gotten a preview of many of the issues through the lens of the governor's budget proposal funding education, property tax reform and all things possible with a $1.2 billion surplus.The session, most people expect, will be interesting because there's money to spend. And some believe it will be a more difficult session because of that surplus.
The lawmakers have serious work to do, and we wish them well.
Looking back over 2008, a case could have been made for bringing lawmakers together to deal with Workforce Safety and Insurance, sort through proposals for the prison and for dealing with the surplus. Although the Legislature may meet for 80 days every two years, typically, it only meets once for most or all of the 80 days. The Legislature can meet for additional days if a special session is called.
And calling a special session can create unique and excruciating political intrigues.
The every-other-year thing sometimes leaves the state wanting. Given the present upheaval in financial markets and the unstable global economy, it would seem prudent to save some of those 80 days for 2010, when it might be necessary to tweak legislative initiatives or respond to unforeseen problems. It's probably a pointless suggestion given the nature of state politics, but putting that aside it makes good sense.
In the upcoming session, seven of the state's lawmakers, 4 percent of the body, will be under 30 years of age. Having some fresh, young blood in the chambers would seem to be a good thing, especially in a state worried about losing its youth. We would hope that the more seasoned members of the Legislature would listen to the concerns of these younger lawmakers.
And finally, the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce this week expressed concern over the level of legislative spending proposed, recalling times past when state revenues dried up and there was a lot of fiscal pain when the state had to raise taxes. That's a worthwhile caution. The lawmakers in recent sessions, and the governor in his budgets, have pushed for sustainability, building only those things into the budget which can be carried over from year to year within the state's means. We hope that continues.
Wasteful, out-of-control spending, is just that wasteful.
Legislators, it would be good to remember, are close to the ground. They are elected in relatively small district where most everyone knows everyone else. If there's a body in state government that has a pulse on the people, it's the Legislature, with members of the state House or Senate fresh from the general election. They are, of course, elected from districts spread across the state and regional differences are a matter of course.
A good read of the Legislature is a good read of the state. And the narrative lawmakers establish in 2009 should sell well in Watford City, Park River, Ellendale and Bowman.
wg wrote on Jan 1, 2009 9:35 AM:
Hopefully they use some common sense (which doesn't always happen), pass conservative budgets and hold onto some of this money in case collections go way down by 2011. "
westnd wrote on Dec 31, 2008 3:07 PM:
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