The Strange Allure of Senseless Legislating

One of the bills that I have been following at the Minnesota legislature this session, S.F. 280, would allow private employees of a certain labor union to join the Minnesota state government public pension system.  Supporters of the bill claim that somehow this would not impose any costs on Minnesota taxpayers.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press ran a story on the bill, which includes one of the most remarkable exchanges I have ever read between a reporter and a legislator,

When asked for the rationale behind the bill, [State Sen. Sandra] Pappas acknowledged that she didn't know.  "I guess no one's ever asked me, 'What's the rationale?' I wasn't even thinking of it being the union employees," Pappas said.”

I now wonder how many bills are introduced with the author having no idea of the rationale behind them.  Perhaps the very act of legislating without thought provides a certain frisson to the unwitting lawmaker—adding a little element of danger to an otherwise dull occupation.

But if there is no particular rationale to adding these private employees of a private employer, why not give all Minnesotans the chance to join?