SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — High school students in Schuylkill County learned what it is like to be a senator Thursday during a student government seminar hosted by state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, at Penn State Schuylkill.
The annual “Senator for a Day” program put students in the role of senators trying to turn a bill into a law.
“It makes the textbook come alive,” Argall said.
After Argall talked to the students about the legislative process, they were divided into four committees — education, finance, state government and transportation. Each committee had to come up with two bill proposals that were then discussed and voted on during a general session with all the students.
“I think they get a better understanding of the legislative process and why it is so difficult for bills to become laws,” Argall said.
Not all of their proposals were passed. There was a bill that would have regulated cellphone use while behind the wheel and another that would have drug tests for welfare recipients. Students also proposed legislation that would eliminate school property taxes, but enact natural gas fracking tax and increase other taxes on things like cigarettes, tobacco and lottery tickets.
However, the most debated proposal among the students was the one legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Argall said it was the first time in the program’s six years that he heard that proposal.
The bill proposed legalizing marijuana for recreational use with similar regulations to alcohol, including 21 being the legal age, and regulations and licensing for selling. The bill would also introduce a 15 percent sales tax on it.
It was close, but ultimately approved.
“We are in a very conservative area and it was interesting to hear how some people responded to the proposal,” Anthony Wojciechowsky, a senior at Pottsville Area High School, said.
“I think it was great program,” Wojciechowsky said. “Everyone wants to learn how to be involved in government and we had great discussions. There were disagreements, but we were able to discuss them professionally.”
Interested students said they are interesting in pursuing a career in politics.
“It was a great opportunity for us to explore our political interests,” Mary Zimmerman, a junior at Schuylkill Haven Area High School, said.
She said she liked how the day was organized like a session in Senate.
“It was very interesting as high school students to see how our government works,” James Magdeburg, a junior at Schuylkill Haven, said.
“I thought it was a special learning opportunity,” Jon Moyer, also a junior at Schuylkill Haven, said. “It took a lot of delusions away about how our government works and gave us insights as to how it actually works.”