Democrats are again proposing to shrink the County Legislature.

During a press conference today, some members of the caucus unveiled a proposal to reduce the size of the Lej from 29 members to 15. The move, they said, would save the county $1 million every two-year legislative cycle.

"We are proposing major structural reforms that will reduce county spending," said Democratic leader Harry Bronson.

The proposal would require Legislature approval. If the Lej passes it, the plan would put it on the ballot this November, Democrats said.

This is an opportune year to present the proposal, Democrats said, since the transition process would align with post-Census legislative redistricting. The reductions would take effect on January 1, 2012.

This isn't the first time, however, that Democrats have brought up this idea. Four years ago, it was part of the caucus's "We the People" plan, though it as never introduced as a legislative referral. The proposal Democrats presented today was supposed to be submitted as legislation soon after the press conference.

Whether the proposal succeeds is another question. It'll need Republican support, and Democrats are unlikely to get it.

Republican Majority Leader Dan Quatro told me that he opposes the idea because it will give constituents less contact with their legislators. He also said that he doesn't have confidence in Democrats' estimate of how much the measure would save.

"I think it's a thinly-veiled attempt to regain control of the County Legislature," Quatro said.