New Milford Legislative Delegation Visits Sarah Noble Intermediate School
New Milford—During an assembly at Sarah Noble Intermediate School, State Representatives Bill Buckbee (R-67), Patrick Callahan (R-108) and Cindy Harrison (R-69) talked with 3rd grade students about how a bill becomes a law. The three legislators presented a slideshow about the legislative process and then took questions from the students.
The lawmakers used a relatable example to engage the kids in the discussion of how a bill becomes a law by proposing free ice cream for all Connecticut students.
“This is something that would appeal to me when I was a kid and judging by the number of hands that went up, this is something Sarah Noble students could get behind. As part of the bill process, there are public hearings and that input does have influence over what bills will make it out of committee,” said Buckbee.
In explaining how bills with a financial impact go through the Appropriations Committee, committee member Harrison cautioned that this idea could come with a big price tag.
“The students really understood the information we presented and came up with an amendment to make their less costly by suggesting ice cream one day a school year, for certain grade levels, or to have Ice Cream Day for just the top half of academically performing schools across the state,” said Harrison.
After the presentation, Callahan fielded questions from the students.
“We try to address all concerns that are brought to us and some of the most influential testimony can come from students. We’re elected to help all members of the community, no matter their age. If they see us around town, it’s important for the students to know they can also bring us their concerns or ideas they think the state should work on,” said Callahan.
In addition to a bill declaring Ice Cream Day once a school year, other suggestions from the students were proposals for more recess time and to have class pets.
According to the New Milford delegation, thousands of proposals are made each legislative session and a couple of hundred will make it through the committee process to the House or Senate for a vote. Only a fraction of those will make it through both chambers and reach the governor’s desk.
“We want to thank the students, faculty and staff of Sarah Noble Intermediate School for having us to visit and look forward to hearing from these future leaders on how to better the state,” added Buckbee.
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