Dear editor:
Doug Gerard’s letter of reluctant agreement with Tom Lubnau’s editorial opinion on Weston County’s insistence on having a state senator is both funny and interesting.
Don’t worry Doug. People we disagree with can occasionally have brilliant ideas and insights.
But to the point: The state legislature in Wyoming is already too large. Making it bigger will only add expense and more pockets of special interest.
Data published by Ballotpedia reports comparative size of State Legislatures. The data shows that Wyoming has the 3rd highest per capita representation in the state House of Representatives, and the 2nd highest per capita in the state Senate. For a “less government” oriented state, we sure pack that capitol.
A Rod Miller type analysis might observe “you are more likely to bump into a State Legislator than a Sage Grouse in the big empty”.
So here’s an outrageous idea. Maybe it’s time to retire or consolidate some counties? Populations shift over time.
The methods of production or resources that drive population growth change. Places that were once thriving are now struggling.
Eastern Montana, Western Nebraska, most of North Dakota and pockets in Idaho, Nevada and so forth just don’t have the population to support county government let alone have a senate seat.
Every burg used to have its own high school too. Times change. The structure of a representative democracy should change with them.
Ken Patterson
Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming
