Newr Gingrich presses the flesh with Uncle Leo from TV's "Seinfeld"

"I thought you were dead."

Idea of part-time legislature gaining torque and traction in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG (April 1 ) -- Spurred out of their slumber by a recent article that predicted a part-time legislature would end the "culture of political entitlement and corruption in Harrisburg," state lawmakers are moving full-throttle to dismantle the most expensive, and second-largest, state legislature in the country.

"The time to end this wasteful excess in state government is NOW!" said Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, the longest-serving member of the Berks delegation.

"If members of both branches were part-time volunteers, the state would save $300 million each year," said Sen. David Argall. "That money could be pumped right back into education."

Gov. Tom Corbett, in a show of solidarity, said he would immediately return his entire salary to the state and cut his staff by half.

A bill to convert to a part-time legislature by the November election was sent to House and Senate committees today. Action could come as early as next week. A spokesman for the attorney general's office said the measure would not need approval via a constitutional amendment because the state constitution allows immediate action under the Emergency Taxation and School Funding clause.

Under the bipartisan legislation, the bloated 253-member General Assembly would be replaced by 67 lawmakers, one for each county. Perks and benefits that will be slashed include health, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage valued at over $16,000; a pension that is among the most generous in America; lifetime post-retirement health care; and tax-free per diem payments of $163 per day.

"Hopefully, the revamped legislature will attract common folks, such as factory workers, school teachers, plumbers and convenience-store clerks, who will be glad to serve because they will only meet a few weeks a year," said Rep. Dante Santoni.

Lawyers would be barred from serving under the proposed legislation.

One snag that threatened to derail the legislation was what to do to help constituents secure their driver's licences. That roadblock was overcome when newly elected Sen. Judy Schwank introduced an amendment.

"We're going to create a new agency to address that concern," she said. "We'll call it the Department of Motor Vehicles."