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2021 Legislative Effort

Legislative Website Navigation Session for Teachers: Thursday, February 18 at 3:30 PM

Legislator Visits-Virtual MESA Day at the Legislature

  • Senator Pete Campos Video, Click HERE
  • Representative D. Wonda Johnson Video, Click HERE

This is your opportunity to observe the legislative process and your state government in action.  A learning experience for all of us, it is also an excellent opportunity for NM MESA to showcase its program.  Legislative activities will help NM MESA continue its mission of preparing middle and high school students for college majors and careers in mathematics, engineering and science.

Due to the pandemic, all 2021 Legislative Effort Activities will be virtual.  There are multiple opportunities for participation! Read below to see the requirements for each activity.

2021 MESA Legislative Forum:

  • Registration is Required (Individual per Student) and DEADLINE for Registration is February 22, 2021 at 5PM. 
  • Up to (4) students per program can be selected to participate.  Students should be recommended by the teacher advisor. Participants will act as ambassadors for NM MESA and may interact with members of the legislature. Therefore, all students selected to attend should come prepared to act as a liaison for NM MESA and should be of the highest caliber. 
    • If you have a wait list of students, please send to Anita Gonzales, anita@nmmesa.org
  • Selected students MUST participate in the ENTIRE event: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM.  NO EXCEPTIONS! Please make arrangements for students to be excused from school similar to an in-person fieldtrip. 
  • Students will be assigned a legislative role and will actively discuss current New Mexico Legislation. Therefore, once a student registers it is critical they attend. 
  • Students will need to be mature, able to read and comprehend legislative documents, able to act politically neutral, actively participate in discussion, formulate an opinion, navigate the internet and NM State Legislature website, and use zoom software.  Students are encouraged to have assistance from an adult (guardian, teacher, etc) as needed.  For middle school students to participate, please select mature students who can act independently or will have assistance the day of the event.   
  • Registration will collect student information as well as their preference on (10) current NM Bills:
  • General Agenda is as Follows:
    • 8:30: Welcome, How NM Government is Structured, How a Bill Becomes a Law, the Importance of Information and Fact Finding
    • 9:30: How to Debate, Techniques of Persuasion, Distribute Roles and Assigmnent
    • 10:30 Review of Bill and Formulate Testimony and Presentation (Individual and Group)
    • 11:30 LUNCH BREAK (Work time as wanted)
    • 12:30: Bills in Committee: Testimony and Presentations
    • 2:30: Legislative Body Vote on Passage of Bills
    • 3:00: Dismissal

MESA Letters of Support:

  • Sample Letter of Support
    • Letters should be sent via email to the email address listed on the NM State Legislature Website-Find My Legislator. All emails are logged with legislative staff. 
    • If a local address is available, they can be sent via USPS.  Currently, legislators are not in Santa Fe and are working remote for most of the session.  
    • Students should include their return address on each letter showing they are a constituent.
    • Additional letters can be written from parents, administrators, and former MESA Students.
  • DEADLINE for Submission: March 5, 2021
  • Current NM MESA Legislation:
    • House Bill 2: MAKING GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY STATE AGENCIES REQUIRED BY LAW.
      • This bill funds Public Education and Higher Education.  The majority of NM MESA’s  funding is through Higher Education with supplemental funding through Public Education, and secured through NM Tech.
    • UPCOMING: MESA Day at the Legislature. Senate and House Memorial. 
  • (2) Letters are required per student for credit: (1) to your State Representative and (1) to your State Senator. To receive (1) Workshop Credit (5 Loyalty Points):
    • Regional Coordinator can be copied on letters, OR
    • Teacher will submit a list verifying completion of students to Regional Coordinator
  • Letters should be thoughtful and reflective of your experience and testimonial of the NM MESA Program.
  • You can include the 2021 NM MESA Legislative Information as needed or use facts and information from your school program.  
  • NOTE: If enough letters are written, and/or a request is made from you, a virtual visit may be arranged. If needed, you can contact MESA Staff to help set up any Zoom Sessions. 

Virtual Visit to the Roundhouse: 

  • Submittal Links for Credit:
  • DEADLINE for Submission: March 20, 2021, 11:59 PM
  • (2) Virtual Visits are allowed for (1) Fieldtrip Credit each (5 Loyalty Points). Each visit/observation MUST be for a minimum of (1) Hour. Visit can be:
  • Committee Meeting Attendance:
    • Review the Committee Lists and the What’s Happening Page for a schedule of Committee times
    • Information collected in link will be: Student Information, Attendance Information, Committee Information, Participating Legislator Information, Information Discussed, Agenda Items, Decisions Made, and Reflection. 
  • House or Senate Floor Observation
    • Review the What’s Happening Page for a schedule of Senate/House convening times. NOTE: Legislators are mostly in Committee Meetings until mid-late in the session. 
    • Information collected in link will be: Student Information, Attendance Information, Participating Legislator Information, Information Discussed, Agenda Items, Decisions Made, and Reflection.

 

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