Today I completed the 64th Citizens’ Legislative Seminar at the State House. The Seminar is run twice a year and consists of 5 sessions that run once a week from 9:30 to 12:30. The seminar is designed to allow citizens to learn about the legislative process including how the budget is prepared, how public hearings are conducted (with a mock public hearing), what a caucus is and how they are conducted and lots more.
The final day of the seminar concluded with a mock Senate session in the Senate chambers with a real debate (banning hand held cell phones in cars). The session was presided over by no less than the new Senate President, Therese Murray (a graduate of the 2nd Citizens Legislative Seminar).
The seminar truly exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get more insight into how the Legislature works.
I’d like to thank Director Anne Ziaja and Deputy Director Susan A. Wojtas of the Legislative Education Office for the absolutely fabulous job they did in running the seminar as well as Senator Jehlen for sponsoring me.
The next seminar will be run this fall. The best way to get involved is to contact your state rep or senator and ask them to sponsor you.
