The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Elizabeth D. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Observe - Senate Legislative Session & House Committee Meeting
Homeschool Day at the Capitol, 2009, provided the perfect opportunity for me to take in a Senate legislative session as well as a House committee meeting. I was quite taken by the architecture and beauty of our state capitol building, and was told by a tour guide that our Michigan capitol is believed by many to be the most beautiful state structure. Not doubting her word, I was off to the business of the day.
As we entered the Senate Gallery, the attendant told us that the senate was in caucus, and would reconvene at any moment. Shortly thereafter, with a loud bang of the gavel, the session was ready to begin. The first order of the day was introducing noted guests in the gallery. The speaker then began reading the bills, with senators or spokespersons responsible for introducing each bill coming to the microphone to explain it further. A bill promoting equal pay/equal jobs for women was brought forward, and the idea of schools encouraging girls in the areas of math and science was discussed. After reading all the bills of the morning session, they were moved on to the next stage. I observed that this was a speedy process, with the bills being voted on shortly after being read. The Senate chamber is not quiet as I expected, but rather a busy, somewhat loud room full of lawmakers going about the business of their day. When the noise became too loud for an amplified voice to be heard, the chair person gave a very loud whack of his gavel, once again calling the chamber to order.
The House committee meeting, held in a small room on the 3rd floor of the capitol building, was already in session when we arrived. Two representatives of Drug Treatment Courts sat at one end of a rectangle of tables, with office staff from four state house districts listening to their report and summary from across the room. A visiting government class was then recognized, followed by a budget request to the committee for the fiscal year 2009-2010. The committee meetings provide a place to offer details and answer questions regarding upcoming bills.
Attending a Senate legislative session and House committee meeting was a very informative learning experience that I am thankful for. I am now much more aware of how our lawmakers go about the business of running our state.
