Legislature acts like it should be part-time job till budget time Why does Wisconsin have a full-time Legislature? In the 1970s, legislators and others told state residents that the demand for legislation was making it extremely difficult for individuals to continue as part-time legislators. Supporters of the full-time body said legislators needed to devote more time to developing legislation like other states and were unable to do so while holding down full-time jobs as farmers, business owners or other professions. Thus was born a full-time Legislature, addressing situations with necessary regulations, while also expressing concern for the needs of residents. Of course, the Legislature isn't in session throughout the year because its members must return to their districts and speak with their constituents so they are aware of various situations. When the Legislature returns to session, lawmakers unveil a plethora of new bills that address the various topics their constituents have informed them about. Many of these bills eventually are passed by at least the Senate or Assembly, sometimes both. Then every two years, along comes the state budget and legislators begin working on the document in January so they can pass it by the July 1 deadline. Of course, the work drags on, then the pace increases furiously as the deadline approaches, and the Senate and Assembly pass different versions. That means the two bodies have to form a conference committee to work together to present a single document that both bodies will accept because they've already missed the deadline. Then legislators approve the document, even though many apparently don't read it, or get a chance to read it because all the editing hasn't been completed in time for the vote. The result is a flawed document filled with pork. Portage County reaps some benefits this year, as evidenced by a few items. There is $135,000 to acquire conservation easements along the Plover River in Portage and Marathon counties and $80,000 for a handicapped-accessible recreation pier on the Plover River in the village of Whiting. Village of Plover residents have been working to raise funds privately for a skateboard park. They should have lobbied legislators because Menasha will get $25,000 from DNR stewardship funds to buy land for a skateboard park. Forget about going through normal channels to obtain a grant. Go directly to legislators, who can make it part of budget legislation instead of regular legislation that might open it to closer scrutiny. So why does Wisconsin have a full-time Legislature? Why not return to a part-time body that meets every two years for budget deliberations? Legislators could tinker with the governor's proposal and then put together a budget document in a conference committee. That's what legislators appear to have been doing for at least the last couple of sessions. - Gene Kemmeter