Legislature convenes in restored Capitol

The opening day of each general session brings some hope and enthusiasm, but Monday was an especially happy occasion as legislators, staff and technicians hustled around the newly restored House and Senate chambers making sure of last-minute adjustments to what is now called the most technically advanced Capitol in the United States.

However, the first "present" roll call of the House's 75 members had to be taken the old way — by voice — because the electronic voting board in the House Chambers did not work.

Flat-screen TVs in the House and Senate galleries will allow visitors to see the votes as they take place. And the podiums in the House and Senate look like TV control panels with Curtis and Valentine pushing touch-screens to turn on mikes, call for votes and make other selections.

As was the case in the temporary chambers in an office building behind the Capitol, residents can watch floor action live via TV cameras and listen live to committee debates over the Legislature's Web site: www.le.state.ut.us.

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Contributing: Nicole Warburton

E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com, araymond@desnews.com