Archive for February 2002
Bigger Is Better, at Least for the New Hampshire Legislature
by Donna SytekIt has certainly been a frustrating few years for our elected state officials. Despite heroic efforts by many leaders there is still no agreement on a long-term solution to the Claremont school funding mandate. Some have argued that if the legislature weren’t so large and the members weren’t so old, it would be a lot easier to get things done. Others say the answer is to have professional legislators who are paid a living wage instead of the $100 annual stipend our citizen legislators currently earn.
Restore the New Hampshire Legislative Advantage
by Arthur W. MudgeThe recent redistricting of the New Hampshire House of Representatives further undermines one of the traditional strengths of the state’s political system. Whatever the disadvantages of our 400-person House, argued by Representative Corey E. Corbin in another “Viewpoint” dated February 2002, the principal advantage had been to bring state government closer to the people. Conceptually, with 400 representatives for 1.2 million people, there should be one representative for each 3,000 people. This size constituency facilitates a democratic ideal of having each representative well-known by, and readily accessible to, his/her constituents.
