"I rise for a point of personal privilege"--4/13/17

Last day! I can't believe that my senior project is already over, I had so much fun watching all of the debate and learning about the state legislature. I started the day on the House floor (physically on it, not up in the gallery), where the Rep. Ugenti-Rita introduced me to the members on the floor (no, I don't know why I look that uncomfortable, I'm sorry I was just trying to stand):


After which, they gave me a certificate signed by the Rep. Ugenti-Rita and the Speaker of the House that I was actually there, so I now have proof!

Now you know that all my blog posts weren't weird fever dreams!

Also, on a sidenote, I discovered today that I am on the homepage of the House Republican website, which was taken on opening day (try to find me):

Where's Waldo?

After which, I had the honor of sitting up on the Speakers desk during COW #3 (aka second reading of bills aka when most of the debate goes down). Whenever they do COW or second reading of bills, they always have someone else besides the Speaker act as the chair to moderate the debate, and since it was Rep. Ugenti-Rita's turn to do so, they let me sit up there with her! It was super cool to see everything going on from that viewpoint, especially considering since a guest has never sat up there during session in history. (Actually. When I went back into the office Rep. Weninger's assistant told me I had made history, and a lobbyist joked that he had been working there for 10 years and I beat him to it.) So here is a photo of me doing that, and if you want to watch snippets of me on the chair you can look here (you'll want to start at around the 25-minute mark if you really want to see some fuzzy footage of my face).

wow famous pt.2

While I was up there, someone passed me this note that had a really cute Arizona pin on it! One thing that I have learned since my time here at the legislature is to take pride in my state, so it seemed fitting that I now have a way to express that:

Co-co-chair!

I'm sorry I'm assaulting you with photos to feed my own ego, but it was so cool! In terms of actual bills, it was also an exciting day. The House talked about petitioners for initiatives and referendums, voucher reform, and ADA compliance (pretty much all of the big issues that have been talked about since day one). There were also two points of order, where legislators accused each other of impunity (and were dismissed, because I don't think anyone would really know what to do if  one actually went through), and Rep. Rubalcava apologized for his comments saying he wanted to punch a Republican sponsor of a certain bill he disliked in the throat. Also, Rep. Lovas had his last day at the House as well, as he is leaving to serve on President Trump's Small Business Administration to provide advice. Overall, it was the best last day I could have had. I am so incredibly grateful that I got this opportunity and have learned so much about politics and Arizona, and for an amazing blogging group that bothers to read and comment on all of the extra blog posts that I make. Thanks to you guys for reading all of my blog posts and definitely reading all of those insightful fact sheets I linked!!!