Is it time to make state lawmakers sit together?

With the state legislature still fighting over the
budget in a second special session of the year, one former
lawmaker has a unique proposal to help end the gridlock,
taken right out of elementary school.

Former State Senator Bill Finkbeiner says it’s time to get
rid of the aisle separating Democrats and Republicans, and
assign seats alphabetically instead.

“The aisle separates the parties, promotes division and
decreases the sense of cooperation,” says the Republican
candidate for Lt. Governor in a message to supporters.

“No business would split a team working on its most
important policies into two oppositional groups, and we
citizens shouldn’t allow this either,” Finkbeiner says.

Finkbeiner also proposes turning the Lt. Governor into a
mediator of sort to help lawmakers come together, calling
it “the Switzerland of the Legislature.”

“It’s time to break down the barriers between the
political parties that are gumming up the legislative
process and holding our state back,” Finkbeiner writes.

Finkbeiner is facing Democratic incumbent Brad Owen,
Republican House member Glenn Anderson and Clifford Mark
Green.