Senator starts thrilling ride

As a child I was always very reluctant to ride the roller coaster. My children coerced me to ride one when I was in my 30s and I found it to be fun and exhilarating.

Attempting to describe the process of winning election to the Senate and beginning the effort to serve is very much like the riding the Timber Terror. The crawl uphill gives you the chance to relax and anticipate the thrill of the drop (to which committees will I be assigned?) and then the coaster drops (oh my gosh, Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, vice chair of Transportation and Health and Welfare!). Then the ride comes to the end and the work begins.

Had my first JFAC meeting this morning, with a short introduction of the committee operations. Then to work we went. As this committee will review the budget for every state agency, it meets five days a week for three to four hours. In the end, with much work and research, one should better understand where all our hard-earned tax dollars are spent.

Except for the chair and vice-chair, most of the committee is new. I am fortunate to bring all my previous experience from school and city work as I more easily understand many of the issues coming forward.

Like the roller coaster, when things get moving, they move quickly. So it’s a bit overwhelming for a freshman, but exciting. You want to do well, represent your district effectively and avoid any major screw-ups.

We freshman often get together just so seek safety and support. As I write this, the secretary of the Transportation Committee brought me my rules book, about 3 inches thick, and let me know that Thursday, as vice chairman, I will be chairing the proceedings. And we begin rule adoption or rejection that day. More reading, but I want to be properly prepared for committee work.