To the editor:

In her letter to the editor, Lora Jost says we should “consolidate classrooms, not schools.” I have even a better idea. If the state needs to cut spending, they can save a huge amount of money by consolidating state Senate and House districts. Kansas, with a population of about 3 million, has 165 state senators and representatives. By way of contrast, California has a population of nearly 37 million and only 120 state senators and representatives.

By any measure, the Kansas Senate and House are badly bloated. Before they cut another dime from education, they should cut their size in half. We would have a more efficient state government with significant cost savings. I realize that doing so would take integrity and courage, which seem to be in short supply in Topeka; they are happy to cut teachers’ jobs but would never dream of cutting their own.

Nevertheless, we should demand it.