Olympics Underway in Torino

As of January 31, 2006, 1,200 plus bills have been introduced at the Capitol during the 2006 Legislative Session. They include introducing a bill that would address statewide concerns with pseudoephedrine sales; clarification of dangerous crimes against children statue (Due to inconsistency in state law, law enforcement officials have found that persons convicted of luring a minor for sexual exploitation are receiving light sentences, averaging three to six months jail time); and a requirement of electronic monitoring of sex offenders as a condition of community supervision. In other news, the XX 2006 Olympic Winter Games began in Torino, Italy with opening ceremonies that included a collaboration of more than 3500 volunteers and around 250 staff on February 10, 2006. There will be 17 days of competition in 15 disciplines, including ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating, freestyle skiing, luge, biathlon, ski jumping, and snowboard. There are 7 competition sites, 3 Olympic Villages, 84 titles at stake, 2,600 athletes, 2,500 coaches and national team officials, 650 judges and referees, 10,000 media, 6,000 guests of sponsors, and 1 million spectators at the events. There were US 178,684 visitors to the opening ceremony, comprising 28.7% of the total numbers. On the day of the opening ceremony Torino 2006's official website recorded 686,466 contacts. On the first day of competition, the number reached 1,381,501, five times more than Salt Lake City's 2002 record and equal to 95% of the Athen's record. Until next issue . . . take care.