Minnesota Public Radio has come up with a fun idea that they hope will get citizens to pay more attention to the weasels in their state legislature. With a nod to fantasy sports leagues, MPR created Fantasy Legislature.

I'll let MPR explain:

Fantasy Legislature is based on the same principles that gave rise to fantasy baseball and football. The manager (that's you) drafts a team of six legislators. That's where fantasy ends and reality begins. Points are awarded to each legislator in several categories based on actual happenings at the Minnesota Legislature. At the end of the season (session), the team with the most points wins.

The rules are pretty simple. Your lawmakers get one point for introducing a bill, five points for getting it heard by a committee, and so on. Getting the Guv's signature (100 points) is the equivalent of a touchdown or grand slam.

The prize for MPR's winner? "Worldwide respect of political wonks."

The Utah Legislature is already in session, so we can't start our fantasy season until next year. Some modifications and adaptations will be required for Utah. For instance, our lawmakers should get a bonus point for moral message bills, such as requiring the teaching of creationism? Or time-wasting resolutions, such as calling for "under God" to be kept in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I'll nominate an MVP now: Sen. Chris Buttars (reading a bill sideways above).