Is the CA legislature too small?

[Sir Mohamed]

Almost 40 million people, but only 40 state senators and 80 state assembly(wo)men. That's a ridiculously low number. Is the CA State Legislature too small? And how much lawmakers should there be?

I think the assembly should have about 250 seats and the senate about 80. GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox made this an issue, but I'm opposed to his proposal that certain "delegates" of each district elect the lawmakers who then report back (only) to them.

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

California is like the only state to have a state legislative chamber with fewer members than it has Congressional Districts.

[MarkD]

I've suggested having 75 senators and 225 assembly members before.

[Greedo punched first]

I've suggested having 75 senators and 225 assembly members before.

What about a unicameral one with 225 members?

[MarkD]

I've suggested having 75 senators and 225 assembly members before.

What about a unicameral one with 225 members?

I prefer bicameral legislatures as a means of ensuring freedom -- checks and balances.

[President Johnson]

I've suggested having 75 senators and 225 assembly members before.

What about a unicameral one with 225 members?

I prefer bicameral legislatures as a means of ensuring freedom -- checks and balances.

Agree with the number and the bicameral legislature.

It would be interesting though to have each state senator being elected for each county, similar to the federal level with the states. Just for the record: I know that this has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1964.

[YE]

Like 2 senators per CD and around 500 assemblyman would be good.

[Peanut]

I do think it is too small, especially for the most-populated State. It hinders representation, especially when you compare it to, say, the NH legislature. It needs to be at least a little bigger.

[Blue3]

Lol, that's almost the same size as Rhode Island!

[Dr. MB]

Definitely. It should be increased to at least 200 in the Assembly and 100 in the Senate, but, of course, a unicameral one would work as well.

[Starry Eyed Jagaloon]

No. California has a very effective, professional legislature. That wouldn't be the case with more reps.

[Sir Mohamed]

Like 2 senators per CD and around 500 assemblyman would be good.

Nah, 500 is too much for a state. That complicates governing at the state level and the number of staffers would explode. The US House should have 500 to 600.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

It is ridiculous that a state senator represents almost a million. Even more absurd is that the state board of equalization has districts with almost 10 million people.

[Sestak]

No. California has a very effective, professional legislature. That wouldn't be the case with more reps.

Lmao wut?

CA leg is neither of those things. They pass most of the tough decisions to the voters through their endless referenda.

And then they refuse to push back school start times. Fascists.

[Lachi]

It's WAYYYYYYYY TOO ING SMALL

[Theodore]

The Texas State Senate is the same way

[Starry Eyed Jagaloon]

No. California has a very effective, professional legislature. That wouldn't be the case with more reps.

Lmao wut?

CA leg is neither of those things. They pass most of the tough decisions to the voters through their endless referenda.

And then they refuse to push back school start times. Fascists.

Other states with bigger legislatures are worse.

[Starpaul20]

Yes, it should be at least 200 if not 300.

[Virginiá]

It's definitely too small, but I don't know about blowing it up by hundreds of seats.

Moving the Senate to ~65 and the Assembly to ~120 seems like a good starting point.

[Fubart Solman]

I'm ok with the size of the senate (maybe add one seat to reduce the likelihood of ties). I'd like to see the assembly boosted to maybe 200 or so though (but make it an odd number).

[TDAS04]

Yeah, it should double in size. 

[Mr. Smith]

yes

[The Mikado]

California is like the only state to have a state legislative chamber with fewer members than it has Congressional Districts.

TX State Senate is 31, while TX has 36 Congressional Districts.