I would really like to see the senate in a future world as a contact point for all provinces. Like if a citizen has a provincial matter not solvable by a governor, the senate could handle this matter.
Example: Build queues.
I believe the senate should be given the power to open a hearing on any citizen who thinks his requests to his governors were not heard or ignored (also mayors could request here). then a senate hering will be held, and if the senate (except the suspected governor of course) decides so, the governor has to adjust the queues (just a rough idea which should be maybe worked out during next game)