Time to streamline government

Posted 1/15/13

To the Editor: With the beginning of the new General Assembly session gaveling in on New Year’s Day, many elected officials and political pundits have proffered suggestions on how legislators …

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Time to streamline government

Posted

To the Editor:

With the beginning of the new General Assembly session gaveling in on New Year’s Day, many elected officials and political pundits have proffered suggestions on how legislators can set Rhode Island on the right road economically. Promises of productivity were bountiful in interviews with lawmakers after they were sworn in for the new term.
However, the most important predicate to positive change was not discussed at all. We need to change the bloated, over-represented and inefficient structure of the legislative branch itself.
There are four American cities with approximately the same amount of populous as the Ocean State. They are San Jose and San Diego, Calif., Jacksonville, Fla., and Indianapolis, Ind. These governments have a city mayor, a city manager and a seven- to nine-member city council. That's it! We have 113 members of the House and Senate and all the expense and all the molasses-like minutia that comes with this burdensome structure.
Essentially, Rhode Island is a big city masquerading as a state. As a result, our legislative branch is too unwieldy to accomplish anything truly economically beneficial long-term.
A Constitutional Convention is desperately needed, strictly composed of non-office holders, to build a new foundation for effective, streamlined government. Then, and only then, can real positive change occur.

Christopher M. Curran
West Warwick

Comments

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  • Justanidiot

    You are way off the mark on the number of representatives and executives we have in this state.

    In addition to the 113 members of the General Assembly and the Governor, we have 39 cities and towns with their own chief executives, councils, school boards, school superintendents, and on and on and on.

    You are talking about more than 1000 government officials to govern one large city with an actual physical area the size of a county.

    One word, CONSOLIDATION!!!!!!

    Get rid of all these fiefdoms and revenue sucking agencies and agents.

    NOW!!!!!

    Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Report this

  • markyc

    Consolidation, yes, but I wouldn't hold my breath. None of these government officlals, at whatever level, want to give up their power & benefits & perks.

    Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    Guess what?

    It is a government by the people, for the people. Not for bureaucrats.

    It is time for us to elect those who have the guts enough to make changes and not worry about their political futures.

    Get things done.

    Quickly.

    Correctly.

    On budget.

    Stop waiting around for the pols to give up their power, take it away from them.

    Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Report this