It wasn't quite 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', but my first day up at the state capitol today was pretty exciting. I love my job.

First, yesterday, Ted Wilson was in the office, he was the Mayor of Salt Lake City from 1976-1985 and was the Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah from 1985-2003. He was the Democratic candidate for Governor in 1988. His daughter, Jenny Wilson, is currently 1 of the 8 running to be Rocky Anderson's successor.

We went to 2 different Committee Meetings at the Capitol this morning. The first was a Legislative Audit, and our department was one of those going through the process. First the auditors report, then the questions by the committee, chaired by Senate President John Valentine and Speaker of the House Greg Curtis. Then the agency response. Our director and the Chairman of the Board got grilled over whether $155,000 was excessive compensation for a public sector employee, with the Board Chairman saying the Board felt it was appropriate since he is the director of a $100 million+ organization that exceeded all of the targets and goals.

Then I sat it on a committee that was discussing the Western Climate Initiative. This is Governor Schwarzenegger's deal that 6 states and some parts of Canada have signed on to to combat global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions. On May 21st Governor Huntsman signed it. The room was full of PacifiCorp and Rocky Mountain Power and Deseret Electric and such type people. Pretty much the entire energy industry of the state, there to say that Gov. Huntsman should not have signed it, that California and the Pacific states don't produce coal (which emits carbon), whereas 90% of the energy Utah produces is coal, and so it costs them nothing and will kill Utah's economy. The power companies ultimately want $2 billion in R&D investment from Washington and 100% liability protection to move into other areas of energy production, if a carbon cap does come. The Legislators essentially became the waiters for the industry, asking numerous times "What can we do for you?" "What regulations stand in the way?"

The committee member, in both rooms, with the most to say was House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, who is also running for Mayor. At the funniest moment all morning the Chairman said "We have a minute or so left, so I suppose we can turn the floor over once more for a little bit more self-promotion from Mr. Mayor."

We went and met a little bit with Ed Alter, the State Treasurer, on the way back to the office. Very interesting workday. Did I mention I love my job?