Web removes mystery from General Assembly maze

IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE to figure out what your legislators are up to this time of year, even if you have time to prowl around the state Capitol 14 hours a day.

Folks trying to follow the frolicking from afar have been frustrated by the lack of comprehensive, comprehensible information about the General Assembly. Newspapers cover a fraction of the action on Capitol Square, and the legislature's Web site can only be deciphered by those with a Ph.D. in parliamentary obfuscation.

Charlottesville blogger Waldo Jaquith has created an outstanding Web site - www.richmondsunlight.com - for those trying to understand the arcane legislative process, to keep track of their lawmakers or to follow legislation that hasn't attracted press coverage.

Jaquith uses sophisticated graphics and smart accessories to help users keep up with the big news at the Capitol and see what bills their legislators are sponsoring.

The newest feature on the site is Photosynthesis, which lets users track bills, find related legislation and vote on whether they support or oppose the measures.

Users also can comment on bills and see who else is following the issues they've selected in a clever form of social networking for policy wonks.

Jaquith's Web site replaces befuddlement with knowledge. He deserves credit for making the legislative process more public, more accessible, and more accountable.