We Passed A Law!

It's been a big year for us and I was asked for some information about one event in particular:  my kids worked to pass Georgia House Bill 810.

So here's a copy of the email we exchanged:

Hello again!
Good to hear from you!  Hope everything is going well for you!  It's been a big year for us.  The boys feel like Sapelo Island was the best school day this year! 

You are welcome to post the info about HB810.  What other information would you like to know? 

We tried to follow the bill from the time I read about it until the signing.  The day I saw the post...
it was supposed to go to the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and the person posting was afraid nobody would show up to support it.

The (boys') assignment was just to write a speech.  It took 3-4 hours to get from, "That's not fair" to "It will benefit GA because..."  Having worked as an intern in the TN legislature I knew that legislators usually don't get much feedback. 

One kid said he'd read his speech at the meeting so we drove down.  We hadn't been to the Capitol.

There is a website where the bills can be tracked, but it isn't updated as quickly as the meetings are arranged and it isn't very specific or accurate about where the meetings are going to be held.  Turns out "testimony" from the public is only allowed at the subcommittee level, so it was good we went when we did!  The meeting was moved AND rescheduled at least twice that day so we wandered around asking people in suits if they knew where it was.  Most of the school groups gave out at closing time, but a couple home schoolers found the (very late) meeting with us. 

(My son) was quite intimidated by the word "testimony" but he got into the groove once he started reading what he had on the paper.  He believes me now that you can NEVER practice too much.  A couple Moms also spoke.

We missed the House vote (confusion again from the website) but got to watch the Senate vote on it.  Then Representative Chandler asked if we wanted to attend the signing.  So, like, YEAH!

Here is the link to the picture of the boys in the Governor's office at the signing.

You are welcome to slice and dice that story however you feel would accommodate your space.  I guess I should write about it for some publication.  Seems like people would like to know their voices are heard - if they get involved.  Do you have any suggestions about which publications might be interested?

We still haven't tilled and planted anything.  Let me know if you all get a bee in your bonnet to do it!

Rebecca