Statehouse lawmakers already ham it up in front of each other and the gaggle of Capitol journalists. Imagine if they think the public is watching them on television.
Debate under the dome could get longer – but perhaps more eloquent and thoughtful – when the House of Representatives hits television sets.
Comcast is offering two digital cable channels to broadcast action in the House and Senate. And House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, wants his chamber camera-ready by the next legislative session.
“The idea is to bring the House of Representatives to living rooms,” Romanoff said Monday. “A lot of folks have no idea what we do here, and we would make better decisions if they did.”
Legislative leaders also want to put live video on the Web, archive it and allow people to watch the day’s debate after work.
It’s still undecided how many cameras the House would set up or whether a camera would pan the room.
Lawmakers also might consider a new law that would prevent people from reusing the videotape for campaign ads and other political purposes. But Romanoff said free-speech rights likely override those concerns.
Thirty-four other states broadcast state Capitol business on television.
