Almost everyone has heard of the game show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” One Pennsylvania state lawmaker is taking it a step further, asking, “Are You Smarter Than a State Legislator?”

Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Philadelphia, is holding a contest in which applicants enter ideas for legislation. The winner will get to see his or her idea turned into a bill that Williams will propose in the Senate as well as an invite to testify on behalf of the bill during a Senate hearing.

It might sound like a way for a lawmaker to grab attention, but then again, at a time when people bemoan out-of-touch politicians, this could be just the type of spirit that’s needed in government.

Community involvement is one of the pillars of democracy, Williams said on Wednesday. Some of the nation’s most significant legislation such as Megan’s Law has come from the ideas of constituents.

Williams isn’t the first lawmaker to resort to game showlike stunts to increase public participation. He got the idea from California Sen. Joe Simitian, who has held a similar contest since 2001.

Sixteen of the bills proposed through this contest were signed into law in that state.

Democracy can only be preserved by the active participation of our citizens. This contest will encourage them to do that, Williams continued.

A few have mocked the idea, including Philadelphia Daily News columnist John Baer, but we’re keeping an open mind. While this contest likely won’t bring drastic changes to state government, it is a start.

At best, this notion could catch on and generate good ideas — as well as providing a needed pulse on what Pennsylvanians outside of lobbying circles want to see get done. At worst, few people take advantage, but maybe it makes them think about what issues they consider important for our lawmakers. And just maybe they share that idea with a legislator.

In the end, who wouldn’t love to prove that they are smarter than a state legislator?