Between March 3-7th, it was a privilege to participate as a messenger in the Florida House Page and Messenger Program. The program, which dates back to 1865, offers participants the opportunity to assist Representatives and their staff during the capitol’s busiest time of the year. They observe the state government in the legislative process and learn through conducting both mock committee and session meetings.
To participate, you need to be sponsored by a House Representative. Tom Fabricio, our House Representative for District 110, which includes the Town of Miami Lakes among other areas, was awesome enough to sponsor me. Thanks, Tom!
The program consisted of an orientation, where we all got to know each other and learn how to perform the tasks we were to complete all week. We were also taken on tours of the Florida Supreme Court, the Museum of Florida History, and the House Chamber. The House Chamber was actually where we were able to hold our mock session.
As messengers, we were tasked to deliver important mail and other goodies throughout the week. One of the busiest days was Tuesday as it was the opening day for the House of Representatives and sessions began. We were assigned into groups, each group with a different delivery route to different representatives.
We were each tasked to come up with two bill ideas. We all presented our ideas and we voted on which ones passed to the mock committee. I proposed to increase funding for public libraries to keep programs and activities free for library-goers. It wasn’t one of the ideas voted into the committee.
The bills that were voted in were: Eliminating Property Taxes, consent to record domestic abuse, giving 2% of lottery money already given to schools to kids with disabilities, changing the national anthem to a song by Flo Rida, requiring driver’s license renewals to be done more often, better funding for mental illness institutions, and requiring voters to take a civic literacy test.
Our mock committee meeting was held on Wednesday. All bills that made it past voting had to be presented again to committee members to make it to the session. Each student had the chance to be a committee member, committee chairperson, and ranking member. I was committee chairperson for one round, and it felt great to bang that gavel!
We held our very first mock session on Wednesday. I enjoyed the way everyone was able to express their thoughts and opinions and get passionate over the bills they felt strongly about. The session was held similarly to the committee, except that we were able to debate more.
There was no debating how awesome the tour of the Florida Channel was. They record sessions and committee meetings live for the public. It was cool to see their equipment room in particular, and the set they use to record interviews with representatives.
As part of the group, we take pictures with the Speaker of the House, which is posted on the Florida House of Representatives website. Our names get recorded in the official journal of the House. Very cool. I enjoyed my experience and would encourage others to participate. Making connections with the people who lead inspires students like me to lead with integrity and wisdom.
Our last day, Friday, was our chill-down day. We wrapped up our mock session, reported back to the main room we stayed in when not busy, enjoyed a pizza party with our friends, and had an early dismissal. I felt sad to be leaving. It is one of the coolest experiences a student could have. I’m so glad I was able to do it. I’m hoping I get the opportunity to do it again in the future.
Visit the Page & Messenger program webpage on the Florida House of Representative website for details.
