The following excerpt is from an editorial published Monday in the Olympian.

Sen. Dan Swecker’s proposal to convert the state Legislature to full-time status fell like a thud when he introduced Senate Bill 6659. Not a single other senator signed on as a co-sponsor, leaving Swecker as a lone voice proposing a radical change for the way the Legislature conducts its business.

History might well show that Swecker was simply a man ahead of his time. Converting from a part-time citizen Legislature to full-time lawmakers is not something the public will accept anytime soon. But it’s good to have the conversation, because it helps educate the public on the evolution of the Legislature and the duties and responsibilities of lawmakers in an increasingly complex society.

Secretary of State Sam Reed brings 30 years of government experience to the debate. “When I first came here, people could be part-time legislators and go back to their communities after session and be successful farmers or bankers or lawyers,” Reed said. “But there has been a dramatic change in the way things are done and the complexity of the issues that legislators must address today. As a consequence, you don’t see the leading business owners in the Legislature or leading bankers or attorneys. What we have, largely, are people who are retired or are supported by somebody else.”

Reed is right. The Legislature is increasingly becoming a club for the wealthy and retirees.

The simple truth is that lawmakers respond to constituent issues, attend committee meetings and perform other legislative activities year-round. The phone calls, letters, e-mail messages and demands for time don’t stop when the Legislature adjourns.

“We’re supposed to make these important decisions and don’t really have the time to do it,” Swecker said before introducing SB 6659. The issues today, and the state’s $25.9 billion biennial operating budget, $3.3 billion construction budget and $8.5 billion transportation budget, are complicated enough to warrant the full attention of legislators.

… Swecker’s bill is going nowhere this session, and that’s no surprise.

But taxpayers need to ask themselves whether they are getting what they deserve from the Legislature. Are the complex issues being shuttled aside for lack of time?

Swecker’s bill would convert the Legislature to full-time status July 1, 2007, and automatically double the current pay of representatives and senators – $35,254 per year. …

He would not change the length of legislative sessions, which are 60 days in even-numbered years and 105 days in odd-year (budget) sessions. But the full-time salary would allow legislators to delve into issues in depth. He’s right when he says some of the best legislation has come from lawmakers working between sessions, exploring issues in depth, hearing and balancing all points of view, then thoughtfully crafting a bill for House and Senate consideration. Legislators deserve the time to do the critical analysis of issues. …