Senator Pileggi's 2011 Student Leadership Forum

On Friday, April 29, 2011, I hosted my seventh Student Leadership Forum: "Student Guide to State Government - A Closer Look."

At this forum, students played the role of "Senators for a Day." They experienced the legislative process first-hand as they considered and voted on legislation before a mock committee meeting and a mock legislative session.

Students chose to participate on one of four possible committees: Education, Labor and Industry, State Government and Transportation.

In each of the committee meetings, students discussed, drafted and amended one bill. The students had the opportunity to approve the bill as written, amend the bill or table the bill. Legislative staff and lobbyists were assigned to each committee to guide the students through the committee process and assist them where needed.

After the committee hearings, students participated in a mock legislative session. During this session, students debated and ultimately voted on all the legislation approved by the various committees.

The 2011 Student Leadership Forum was an overwhelming success, and my staff and I are looking forward to next year's event.