Letters

Cutback amendment

EDITOR: Until the letter from Rep. Ted E. Leverenz, Fifth District, Maywood, appeared in your May issue under the caption "Letters", I had been wondering whether any of that sordid group fighting the Coalition on Political Honesty (CPH) petition would allow their name(s)to surface. In view of their efforts, there can be no doubt that they will resort to fair means or foul to stifle the amendment to reduce the size of the Illinois House and thwart the judgment of the voters in Illinois.

Notwithstanding the undeserved pay raise voted themselves not long ago, Rep. Leverenz exhibits his greedy nature by suggesting that any saving effected by the CPH amendment be immediately applied to still higher salaries for members of the Legislature.

Rep. Leverenz should be aware of action adopted by the State of Nebraska in 1934, by means of a Constitutional Amendment, whereby that state changed to a unicameral legislature, thus in a single move they eliminated one whole branch of their legislature. They have never regretted that action which promoted both economy and efficiency.

When the CPH sponsored amendment beomes effective, I hope Rep. Leverenz becomes its first casualty.

John B. Ferguson, Jr.
Palatine

26/July 1980/Illinois Issues