April 13, 2006

Welcome the laptop brigade

I'd expect a packed house at the City Council chambers on Thursday when the council debates Martin Heinrich's second attempt at raising the city's minimum wage.

Don't be surprised if you see more than a few faces hidden behind laptops.

Here's why:

The good folks over at Duke City Fix are calling local bloggers to the council meeting for a "blog-in" -- a kind-of 1960s-style sit-in but using electronic commentary instead of civil disobedience.

They're welcoming bloggers of all kinds, regardless of where they stand on raising the minimum wage. The bloggers can take advantage of the public wireless Internet access added to the City Council chambers a few weeks ago.

If last summer's City Council wage debate is an accurate barometer, I'd say it will be tough to find a seat. So get there early.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. There's a 5 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting where the council will discuss the city enterprise budget. You can take a nap.