Rep. Dyson Teaches State Government Simulation at Local School

On November 3, 4, and 5, Representative Dyson and his aide, Lisa Torkelson, taught a Government workshop at Walden Pond Charter School in Anchorage. The class of approximately 20 students was made up mostly of 7th graders, with a few from grades 8-11.

Day 1. The class was oriented to the basic principles of government, federal, state and local. The topic of discussion was narrowed to state government in preparation for a simulation exercise. The class was briefed on how a bill gets passed into law, how minority and majority caucuses work, and what roles constituents, lobbyists, and the governor play in the process. The class was then divided up into random majority and minority groups and a leader for each was chosen. Each went into a separate room to discuss bill ideas and strategies. Each group was coached as to basic committee and House floor protocols. At this stage Fred became the "Governor" and Lisa acted as "Speaker of the House" while both held advisory positions only to allow the students a hands-on experience.

Out of the first "caucus" meeting, each group came up with three bill ideas:

Majority:

• Increase the Walden Pond budget by 75%
• Legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes
• Open the campus to 7th and 8th graders

Minority:

• Define limits of child punishment
• Put a ban on spanking
• Reduce the smoking age to 16 years or older

Day 2. The bills were returned by a modified form of "Leg. Legal" using a similar format to the real one and presented to the class:

HB 1 "An Act relating to Walden Pond Charter School's operation budget."

HB 2 "An Act relating to the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes."

HB 3 "An Act relating to free time activities at Walden Pond Charter School."

HB 4 "An Act relating to reducing the age limit for the purchase and possession of tobacco."

HB 5 "An Act relating to use of force in special relationships."

HR 1 "A resolution defining the appropriate methods of discipline."

Due to the nature of the bills, all were referred to the House Health, Education, and Social Services (HESS) Committee. Each bill had a sponsor and was encouraged to work with caucus members who also would try to garner support from individuals as well as the caucuses. A committee chair was chosen to lead the meeting and the students then went into committee. After the first couple of bills, the students seemed to get a feel for the process and protocol and the meeting progressed quite smoothly. There was heated debate for some bills, others passed out of committee with little. The students traded off being committee members and those who gave testimony from the audience.

Day 3. After completing the committee process, the class demonstrated a simulated House floor session. Lisa acted as "Speaker." Each bill was discussed and a vote taken. Transmittal to the "Governor" was included; he had an opportunity to veto or sign the bills. In order to make things more real, a couple of the bills were vetoed. The students then had to garner support from, not only their own caucus, but the other as well.

Walden Pond Participatants: Adam Bacher, Christy Brown, Corbin Caudle, Abigal Caudle, Evan Cole, Erin D'Eimon, Kaitlin D'Eimon, Chris Ginnett, Nathan Green, Angel Harford, Marcus Johnson, Mike Katt, Ryan Kiester, Eve Pitts, Hannah Scott, Stephanie Thompson, Tiffeny Thompson, Shanel Thomas, Jackie Todd, Ashley Wiggins, and Lafawnda Williams.