When a neighbor at a backyard barbeque jokes that we can't wake up in California without breaking a law, you know the luster has been stripped from the Golden State.
Even more troubling is the sheer number of unnecessary, costly and burdensome bills known as "job killers" that pass the legislature. This year alone, we reviewed bills that would regulate dog groomers, prohibit the use of Styrofoam containers for food-to-go and add new mandates on businesses looking to hire the unemployed.
Since my election to the State Assembly in 2006, more than 15,650 bills have been introduced. Time and valuable resources are spent on hundreds of lack luster bills that crush business and create economic chaos.
I believe one way to mitigate the damage resulting from years of over-regulation through this type of "bill factory" is to return California to a part-time legislature. That's why I introduced Assembly Constitutional Amendment 28 (ACA 28) in hopes of restoring California to a state known for its expanding economy, emerging entrepreneurs and employment opportunities.
Many are unaware that until 1966, California legislators only met in Sacramento for a portion of the year, earned a fraction of what they do now and returned to their districts to live under the laws they created.
California, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York are the only states with full-time legislatures and these states are all in financial trouble. Texas and Florida, the two most populated states next to California, operate with part-time bodies.
Under my proposed ACA 28, elected officials will spend fewer days in Sacramento, submit fewer bills and pass fewer new laws providing regulatory and financial relief for those who live and work here. Additionally, ACA 28 will create a two-year budget cycle and significantly reduce legislator salaries.
At a time of chronic budget deficits, the discovery of $54 million in surplus funds hidden in the State Parks Department and the governor's call for tax increases, it's critical the legislature focus on getting its house in order.
Following the state parks debacle, the Department of Finance reviewed other accounts only to uncover more than $233 million in reserves hidden in 18 other special funds. It's unconscionable that voters will be asked in November to support raising taxes while parks and other state agencies may be hoarding taxpayer funds.
I believe ACA 28 will force the legislature to focus on priorities beginning with accurate budgeting and appropriate oversight. The outcome would mean the over-reaching arm of state government would be severed and over $200 million in taxpayer savings realized.
If the state is truly looking for ways to run more efficiently and cut expenses, saving millions of dollars by returning to a part-time legislature is one solution that is hiding in plain sight.
Even more troubling is the sheer number of unnecessary, costly and burdensome bills known as "job killers" that pass the legislature. This year alone, we reviewed bills that would regulate dog groomers, prohibit the use of Styrofoam containers for food-to-go and add new mandates on businesses looking to hire the unemployed.
Since my election to the State Assembly in 2006, more than 15,650 bills have been introduced. Time and valuable resources are spent on hundreds of lack luster bills that crush business and create economic chaos.
I believe one way to mitigate the damage resulting from years of over-regulation through this type of "bill factory" is to return California to a part-time legislature. That's why I introduced Assembly Constitutional Amendment 28 (ACA 28) in hopes of restoring California to a state known for its expanding economy, emerging entrepreneurs and employment opportunities.
Many are unaware that until 1966, California legislators only met in Sacramento for a portion of the year, earned a fraction of what they do now and returned to their districts to live under the laws they created.
California, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York are the only states with full-time legislatures and these states are all in financial trouble. Texas and Florida, the two most populated states next to California, operate with part-time bodies.
Under my proposed ACA 28, elected officials will spend fewer days in Sacramento, submit fewer bills and pass fewer new laws providing regulatory and financial relief for those who live and work here. Additionally, ACA 28 will create a two-year budget cycle and significantly reduce legislator salaries.
At a time of chronic budget deficits, the discovery of $54 million in surplus funds hidden in the State Parks Department and the governor's call for tax increases, it's critical the legislature focus on getting its house in order.
Following the state parks debacle, the Department of Finance reviewed other accounts only to uncover more than $233 million in reserves hidden in 18 other special funds. It's unconscionable that voters will be asked in November to support raising taxes while parks and other state agencies may be hoarding taxpayer funds.
I believe ACA 28 will force the legislature to focus on priorities beginning with accurate budgeting and appropriate oversight. The outcome would mean the over-reaching arm of state government would be severed and over $200 million in taxpayer savings realized.
If the state is truly looking for ways to run more efficiently and cut expenses, saving millions of dollars by returning to a part-time legislature is one solution that is hiding in plain sight.