December’s Town Hall meeting was a success! Approximately 120 students from across Northern California gathered at the Tsakopoulous Library Galleria a few blocks from the Capitol. Our Interim Director Elisia Hoffman served as the moderator, while the students and panelists critically asked questions of one another relating to tobacco policy.
Our distinguished panelists answered a variety of students’ questions, ranging from new policies on e-cigarettes, to perspectives on the effect of cigarette taxation. Panelists also brought their own questions and asked students to think about the changing culture of youth’s views on tobacco. The purpose of LegiSchool’s Town Halls is to engage students in matters of public policy that are important to Californians. And I felt this Town Hall was a perfect example of LegiSchool’s mission, vision and intent.
Students were given a curriculum guide to deepen their understanding of the topic. Our guides are a great way to bring current and state issues into the classroom. They can also be of good use to students who are unable to attend the Town Hall in person.
In addition to the Town Hall meeting, students had the opportunity to be given a tour by alumni Capitol Fellows and visit the Senate Floor. A lucky group of students were also able to visit their members’ offices and speak with a Legislative Director!
Many thanks to the engaging group of panelists:
• Dr. Angelo Williams, Director of the California Black Health Network
• Kim Chen, Government Affairs Manager at the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network
• Madeleine Cooper, Legislative Director for Assemblymember Harper
• David Wolfe, Legislative Director at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
And shout out to the participating high schools: Cordova High, Mt. Eden, JFK (Fremont) and Elk Creek Jr/Sr High School. We are looking forward to our February Town Hall meeting on driverless cars!
The LegiSchool Project 