Before the session began a long standing tradition was observed, that of waging battle in the "Office Wars." My roommate, Rep. Joe Stengle (R-Littleton), attempted once again to finagle his way into the corner of our new office. The panoramic view of the mountains contrasted by downtown Denver and the 16th Street Mall is spectacular. His attempt at switching phone lines and commandeering the corner failed miserably when I walked in on the phone man and discovered the ill-fated plot. Rep. Stengle successfully pulled this maneuver in the last General Assembly when we shared our first office and I was stuck in the front portion for two years. Hah! How does that saying go — the first time you trick me, shame on you...!

Being a second term legislator has its obvious advantages. Prime offices made available by term limits and preferred seating arrangements on the floor of the House are only a couple. Committee chairmanships open up and leadership positions become highly contested. Committee appointment preference goes first to the returning scofflaws, second to the freshmen and third to those who didn't support the Speaker in his leadership race. I have heard much grumbling about committee appointments in the House but nobody has really challenged Speaker Dean. I was appointed to the exact same committees I sat on last year, retaining the vice-chairmanship of the Transportation and Energy Committee and serving on the Business Affairs and Labor and the Capital Development Committees. With the new census numbers and revised budget, capital development has been given new life, again making this committee a coveted position.

Congratulations to Sen. Dyer for his appointment as chairman of Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources. A chairmanship is a lot of work and, in Colorado, borders on more of a burden than a benefit. In other states the committee chairman decides which bills to hear and ultimately has veto power by refusing to schedule a bill. In Colorado (thank goodness), the Gavel Amendment assures that every bill will be given a fair hearing, removing the partisan politics that might otherwise stymie an open and effective process. Still, a committee chairman has control over when a bill is heard and the rules regarding that hearing (i.e. allotted time for testimony, number of witnesses and rulings from the chair).

I am amazed how much one can learn in two years. I wonder how I must have looked as I watch freshman wander about looking like the proverbial deer in the headlights, quickly becoming fair game for poaching lobbyists. Yet, these fresh and enthusiastic recruits manage to navigate through the onslaught of being pulled and tugged in every direction at once. As deadlines draw near and legislator's dance card (bill quota) fills, the frenzy to find available bill sponsors heats up. Late bill requests are already being passed by the Speaker, even before the deadline for original bills has passed.

The pressure of finding Senate sponsors of House originated bills seems to be peaking and many House members are beginning to worry about who will carry their measure, should it pass the House. With 35 Senators being courted by 65 Representatives, the numbers game quickly catches up to those who have trouble saying, "no". I learned this lesson last year and have been very cautious about agreeing to carry Senate bills in the House. I teased Sen. Dyer when finding out that he is being solicited hourly by everyone wanting him to carry bills through his Agriculture Committee. I have been helping by telling members that Sen. Dyer has committed to too many bills so don't even ask. On Thursday, when we sat together in joint session on the floor of the House listening to Supreme Court Chief Justice Malarky, he thanked me. We are both committed to approximately 14 bills. I hope Jim starts telling people for me too!