Monthly Archives: November 2017

By: Chase Wilson

With its tumultuous history since its establishment in the early 1960’s, affirmative action has been both praised and attacked as an answer to the racial injustice and inequality that persisted despite civil war efforts and constitutional guarantees throughout our history. On Saturday, Kianna Anderson, a delegate from Vista Ridge High School, proposed an act that was passed repealing laws supporting Affirmative Action in the state of Texas. Within this bill, Anderson spoke against the “edge” given to some students over others due to their ethnic backgrounds in education as well as other aspects of their lives.

Anderson stated that although “

By Lightner Callahan

Senior Ashleigh McCoy proposed a bill that would provide Texas residents with free community college tuition. Although there was significant opposition, the bill was passed.

McCoy’s bill centers around a common aspect of any college – the finances. She has proposed a bill that requires free community college to be given to all residents of Texas.

A community college is a non-residential junior college offering courses to the people living in a specific place. Community colleges, unlike four-year colleges, have the ability to teach classes that compare to real-life situations; English as a second language, skills retaining, community enrichment options, and cultural identity. Community colleges also provide transfers to four-year colleges, a higher rate of affordability, updated relevance, and often partner with different industries, according to the American Association of Community Colleges.

The American Association of Community Colleges states that almost half of all undergraduate students in the United States go to community colleges. Those who do go to these colleges have the ability to educate themselves at their own pace, and over however many years that they choose.

The bill McCoy proposed outlined a series of things that are specific to bill 157, called provisions. These provisions act as the requirements if the bill were to be passed. They state; “any citizen of the United States that has lived in the state of Texas for at least 12 months shall be eligible for free college at any community college in the state, this free education shall not extend to housing, textbooks, or any other extra supplies needed for class, and that four year colleges shall not follow these guidelines.”

McCoy could relate to the topic because she’s been researching colleges since early in her high school career.

“Well, I am actually going to college next year and I’ve been looking at the prices since about junior year and it really just blows my mind how much it costs…” McCoy said.

McCoy knew that this was a topic that isn’t normally mentioned, but is still important. She mentioned that other states such as Tennessee, New York, and Rhode Island have implemented similar plans, and that Texas could join them in paving their way for other places.

McCoy raised points like; “it’s hard for lower-class people to afford higher-class education, a financial burden will be lifted of so many people’s backs, and the fact that an associates degree is becoming more and more needed.”

“If we don’t do anything about these people’s financial situations, we are ignoring all the potential that those people have to help and better our community.” McCoy said.

Kelly Frazier, a junior delegate opposed to bill 157, brought up the economical aspect of it.

“Until we fix the inflammation of the economy itself, [the cost of providing free community college] will just keep hurting the government.” Frazier said.

Frazier pointed out that passing this bill could result in higher taxes for citizens, a struggling economy, and could place education in a bad light, causing people to become frustrated.

“College should be a privilege, not a given.” Frazier said.

McCoy ended her presentation with a quote from one of our forefathers. She quoted Benjamin Franklin in saying,

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

By Nettie Comerford

Authors Michael Vasquez (12) and Elena Perales (12) proposed a bill titled War on Drugs this morning at the Texas Youth and Government District competition, that was passed in the State of Affairs forum. Vasquez and Perales propose to end the War on Drugs and develop educational programs for those who have been imprisoned for drug possession. The proposal dives into the complex aspects of the War on Drugs including racial discrimination, mandatory minimum sentencing, and the overall destructive effect drug use has had on the United States for years.

Vasquez believes that since the beginning of the War in Drugs, America’s policies and efforts to end the war have done more harm than good. “Our strategies have only empowered criminals, corrupt governments,

By Caden Zeigler

Today, Nov. 11th, senior Julianna Castillo proposed the bill, “A Resolution to Protect Illegal Victims of Human Trafficking,” which passed and intends to assist the victims of human trafficking with legal aid.

“There are… over 600 thousand illegal immigrants being smuggled over the border and they are not receiving the help that they probably need,” Castillo said. “So I want to shed light onto that issue.”

According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, 17,000 to 19,000 immigrants are trafficked into the United States every year, many of which are “lured with false promises of good jobs and better lives, and then forced to work under brutal and inhuman conditions.”

“Trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world today,” said Castillo “victims of trafficking are exploited for purposes of commercial sex, including prostitution, stripping, pornography live-sex shows and other acts.” According to Castillo’s bill, the illegal immigrants would face no legal consequences because they were “here by force because of… sex trafficking.”

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is currently working with nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, to “identify, rescue and provide assistance to trafficking victims.” According to ICE, they more than 350 victim coordinators that work with the NGOs in order to provide an environment where victims can feel “stable and free from fear and intimidation to be effective witnesses.”

One difference between the current legislative policies and Castillo’s bill is that ICE provides short-term immigration relief to trafficking victims for one year, that can be renewed every year until the victim is no longer proven to be a potential witness. Victims are also eligible to apply for a  T and U nonimmigrant status granting them four years of residency, and can lead to possible permanent future residency.  

Castillo’s bill has already been enacted in the federal government, according to Homeland Security, the NGOs that ICE works with also “offer a variety of services to assist crime victims

such as immigration legal assistance, crisis intervention, counseling, medical care, housing, job skills training and case management,” aligning with Castillo’s bill stating that immigrants should be provided assistance with “homes, financial needs, and emotional state.”

Every point of all of Castillo’s bill has already been covered in the current laws enacted in the US, the only difference being that Castillo wishes to provide long-term citizenship immediately to these victims, not just temporary citizenship.

Castillo’s bill was passed and will continue on to the House of Representatives. “We are all human,” says Castillo, “and we all deserve the fundamental human rights.”

By Skylar Sigala

Imagine going through life without a name and instead being addressed by a number. Some people see the idea as efficient and creative while others see it as dehumanizing. Replacing names with a number phrase is a  concept often present is dystopian novels and reference to the treatment of prisoners in labor camps, but this morning a bill was proposed with those exact intentions in the Youth and Government legislation competition. The bill penned by Bret Johnson, a junior at Hays High School, plans to ban conventional names and replace them with a 10 digit ID code.

The code would also function as their personal phone number. Inspiration for the bill sourced from Johnson seeing kids with common or embarrassing names and wanting to make a change to not only improve their lives, but promote individuality. Despite his best efforts, Johnson’s bill was not passed.

“It’s efficient, easy, and simple,” Johnson said, while also calling the bill, “The way of the future.”

The bill was met with much opposition, most of which was centered around statistics and the argument of efficiency.

“It doesn’t make sense…you have a social security ID number this bill will just create unnecessary confusion,” said Ridah Shaik, senior member of the Senate, speaking in opposition of the bill.

“Are there enough number combinations to support your bill for the Texas residents?” asked Kianna Anderson, a junior member of the House.

Johnson, who had no speakers in support of his bill, replied, “I calculated the combinations and there are one billion (number) combinations…the population of Texas is significantly lower than that.”

Though the bill was written with intentions to save face for children with embarrassing names or are looking for a way to individualize their common name, it will not be a possibility for Texas residents.

Meet Maddy, Social Media Editor from Austin, TX!

What do you see as some key roles for social media in today’s world?

Media protects the public’s best interest and creates public awareness.  I believe an educated society is an informed society, and media is a main mode of communication. Media truly is the fourth pillar of democracy.  It keeps the other three branches in check. Social media is no different.  In fact, it is one of the most direct means of delivering information because of its global accessibility and mobile viewing.  It provides information in real time and has encouraged youth participation in politics.

Any parts of the Conference you’re especially excited to cover?

I am excited to cover the governorship race.  This year media officers will be writing profiles on the candidates.  I really enjoy feature writing and portraiture so I am looking forward to that.  I also enjoy editing, so as a media editor I look forward to looking over everyone’s posts even though I will miss being on the Capitol and Courthouse grounds covering in real time.

What are your goals for the social media section this year?

I hope to brief media delegates with mini lessons on some journalistic standards so our postings across platforms seem like they are from the same source. I want each writer to have their own voice, of course, but it is also important to have continuity so the way our information is presented is professional.

What are your post-graduation plans?

After high school I plan on studying environmental engineering and sustainability. I am very interested in water conservation and waste management. I also want to continue photography as a hobby. The schools I am interested in range from six miles from my house to 1,870 miles away. I’m a bit of a scatter plot but the whole process is very exhilarating.

Thanks Maddy!  You definitely convinced us of the power of social media.  We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our 2017-2018 officer profiles!