Busy interns immersed in business of Capitol
As an intern for Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, and Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, McKee is part of a small army of twentysomethings who roam Capitol Hill. Their duties vary. They race in and out of committee meetings as they gather paperwork, write e-mails, deal with press, keep an eye on selected bills and keep their legislators on task.
McKee said the crux of his job is to allow the senators he serves to concentrate on pending legislation. "He's thinking about bills. I'm thinking about where he needs to be to see the bills."
When McKee first gets to work, he goes to Hickman's office and logs onto a computer. He scans the legislative Web site to make sure that he has all the information he needs to help his lawmakers with their day's agenda. "You have to be on the ball," he said.
To keep the senators up to speed, he usually has to make a morning trip or two to the legislative bill room to grab copies of bills and amendments to bills that his lawmakers will vote on in committee meetings.
McKee, who is one online English class away from his Utah State economics degree, sort of fell into the intern gig.
When a couple of other USU students dropped out at the last minute, McKee was tapped to help fill the positions.
He is one of about a half dozen USU interns this session.
A large chunk of this year's 68-strong legislative intern crop comes from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. Those schools require would-be interns to complete an upper-division political-science course that helps prepare the students for life on the Hill.
Jerry Howe, the Legislature's intern coordinator, also co-teaches the U. class with pollster and political guru Dan Jones. Howe said his class prepares students by explaining the legislative Web site and teaching them about the state budgeting process. His class also tries to excite the students by bringing in guest speakers. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has visited the class in the past.
Howe helps place interns with lawmakers. He takes into account special requests the interns have. For some, it is really important to work with either Republicans or Democrats. Others want to work with the legislator who represents their home district, and some request to work with legislators in senior leadership positions.
Howe said the universities and colleges do most of the screening.
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