Local students debate state issues during annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program
On Thursday, May 8, more than 80 students representing 11 local high schools converged on Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus to debate mock legislation, which mirror similar proposals currently being debated in Harrisburg.
The students grasp the concepts pretty quickly and run with it in their debates. By the end of the program, every student is jumping into the discussion and offering their opinion why a proposal is a good or bad idea.
For four hours, students turned into Senators and experienced first-hand how the inner workings of the legislative process works. The students, or Senators, were split into four separate committees – Education, Finance, State Government and Transportation – to consider and debate two bills in each committee. Legislation considered by the “Senators” included drug testing for welfare benefits, a plan to sell off the state-owned liquor stores, banning cell phones while driving along with several other proposals.
Similar to the state legislature, bills that cleared each committee were then discussed before the full “Senate.”
The most contentious debate centered on school bus seat belts. The proposal the students approved in the Education Committee would require only smaller buses to be equipped with seat belts. The bill was overwhelmingly rejected during the final vote, but not without an intense debate. During the debate for school property tax elimination, many students referenced the burden on their parents and fear of property taxes when they are ready to purchase a home.
I’m encouraged each year with how fast the students can form an opinion on issues. Many of the key debate points are the exact same points made in Harrisburg on these reform measures.
Also on hand were Representative Jerry Knowles (R-124) and Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.
May 9, 2014 – Senator Argall hosts the fourth annual ‘Senator for a Day’ program at Penn State’s Schuylkill Campus. The event featured 11 different local area school districts with over 80 students participating.