Full-time legislatures

A recent investigation by the Raleigh News and Observer (story link here) has spurred increased debate about what kind of state legislatures are most effective.

The newspaper investigation found that N.C. lawmakers received a combined total of $57,000 in per-diem pay for days that they were absent from the legislature. There has been some misplaced outcry in response; the real debate is about whether legislators are being paid enough for the nearly full-time work that is actually required of them.

North Carolina has a part-time legislature whose members earn less than $15,000 in annual salary, with more money for expense allowances. This arrangement, combined with the need to raise big money for campaigns every two years, means that the General Assembly is off-limits to all but the wealthiest state residents.

Most other Southern states have part-time legislatures too. I'm curious to know if anyone has experience with full-time legislatures and whether that is a more effective model for good government.