The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Shaina D. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Tactics - Observe a Legislative Session and Committee Meeting
I was relieved to find that a legislative session was actually being held when I arrived in Lansing. This was our third attempt at attending a session. Due to summer break, many of the scheduled sessions had been postponed or cancelled. Because it takes 11/2-2 hours to reach the capital, we had to leave before knowing if a session would be held. The capital switchboard was unavailable until 9am. On our way we decided to call to be sure that the session that was "defiantly taking place" was, indeed, taking place. We were told a third time that there was no meeting taking place. Praying that some how the woman on the phone was wrong, we continued in route to the capitol.
When we arrived at the capital, we not only found that a senate session was being held, but we were greeted by a large group of protesters. They were peacefully demonstrating to oppose the closing of various libraries. It was a great example of the freedom of speech.
The session began with a role call to establish that a quorum was present. The invocation was given by the Reverend Steve Miller of Central United Methodist Church of Sault Ste. Marie. The Pledge of Allegiance was delivered by Senator Richardville, and after that motions and communications. Subsequently Senator Cropsey moved that the Senate recess. The motion prevailed, and recess began at 10:08 a.m.
While we were waiting for the session to begin again, the sergeant at arms informed us that we could send a note to our state senator, Gilda Jacobs. We sent the note, and she met with us outside of the senate chamber. We explained why we were there, and she was very interested in hearing more about SSI. She told us that the senate would simply be voting to agree to consider certain bills, and that many of the bills were going to a third reading. Senator Jacobs also informed us that she would be a part of an Economic Development Committee Meeting, which would be held shortly after the senate adjourned. She expressed her opinion that more useful information could be obtained in these meetings.
We returned to the senate chambers to view the remaining session. The bills that were being considered were as follows: House Bill No. 4683, House Bill No. 4684, House Bill No. 4686 House Bill No. 4687, House Bill No. 4695,House Bill No. 4696, Senate Bill No. 700 Senate Bill No. 701, Senate Bill No. 703, Senate Bill No. 706, Senate Bill No. 707, and Senate Bill No. 710 Senate Bill No. 712. All of the bills had financial consideration to be reviewed. They were read very quickly and without review, simply a referral to the notes. Then they read four bills concerning mortgage origination accountability, that were approved by Governor Granholm.
After the session ended we grabbed a quick lunch and return to the Capitol in order to attend the Economic Development Committee Meeting. The meeting quickly came to order as the roll was called. The bills discussed were HB 4932, HB 4793, SB 674, SB675, SB676, SB 677, SB 678, and SB 679. The bills covered water and sewage, changes in gaming compensation, and changing the requirements for receiving an architecture degree in the state of Michigan.
The committee meeting was very interesting. The senators asked questions of the person or persons requesting that the bills be considered. I found the change in gaming compensation the most engaging of all the bills presented. There were very strong views on both sides of the issue.
My day in Lansing was one that seemed very familiar after having visited the capitol with SSI over the last four years. It was great to actually watch the governing process in progress.
