Setting the Course for a Citizens Legislature

By Damon Circosta
Published: Mar. 2, 2009

RALEIGH - Over the coming months, the General Assembly will be forced to make all sorts of tough decisions about the economy, education and health care. In order to make sure that what is proposed in our state government works for everyone, we need a truly representative body. We need a government of, by and for the people.

Yet while our state lawmakers are a good and honorable group, any notion that the General Assembly is currently comprised of a broad cross section of North Carolinians is false.

"We have created a situation down here where 98 percent of the people of this state cannot come and serve in the General Assembly," Sen. Martin Nesbitt of Asheville recently said from the floor of the N.C. Senate.

Sen. Nesbitt is right. Under the current system, the legislature meets with no certain end date, our representatives are in a constant cycle of fundraising for the next election and lawmakers are so nervous about raising their own pay -- currently set at $13,000 per year -- that most people who can afford to serve in the legislature are either wealthy or retired.

Many lawmakers recognize the problem. Several bills have been filed this session that would change how long our state legislators serve and how we compensate them. One bill proposes four-year terms. Another seeks to limit how long lawmakers serve each year by cutting off their per diem allowance after a certain date.

Those efforts are well intentioned, but rather than adopting patchwork proposals that trade one problem for another, let’s look at creating a truly 21st century citizens legislature. Given the unprecedented situation state government is in, now is the time to do it.

First, let’s examine the realities of getting elected. High-dollar races and an over-reliance on fundraisers make it next to impossible for those not connected to wealth to get elected. We should think seriously about campaign finance and the role it plays in selecting who represents us.

Next, let’s examine how long a term of office should be. On one hand, we want our lawmakers to face frequent election by the people. On the other hand, we don’t want service in the General Assembly to be entirely focused on getting re-elected.

While we’re at it, let’s look at how long our legislature should meet each year. Currently, sessions might last anywhere from four to eight months. Some predictability and regularity might permit more people to serve, as recently noted by Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand of Fayetteville.

"If we do not get some sort of control over the length of time we spend here, we really do damage to the institution of the legislature," Sen. Rand said. "People with businesses, young people with families cannot make an unlimited commitment of time."

Lastly, let’s be realistic about how we compensate our elected officials. Right now, the job pays so little that it is impossible for most North Carolinians to take it. Rather than leaving the decision up to the legislators themselves, let’s put together a body of regular citizens -- not Raleigh insiders -- who will decide the pay rate for lawmakers. These folks could be picked like a jury. They would hear testimony and decide what level of compensation is fair.

It wasn’t too long ago that it was smooth sailing for our state government. But the tremendous challenges brought on by rapid growth have rocked the boat. With so many changes in North Carolina over the last few decades, it’s high time we reform what it means to serve in our legislature.