Greetings from Senator Mike Moore!
Dear 2019 Student Government Day Participant:
I would like to again extend my congratulations to you on being nominated by your high school to participate in Student Government Day (SGD)! This is a very exciting opportunity that I am sure you will remember for years to come. Many alumni of the SGD program have continued their interest in public service long after high school. In fact, several members of my State House team are proud beneficiaries of the program. I trust you will learn many important lessons from engaging, first-hand, with your peers from across the state on current policy issues facing our Commonwealth.
Preparation is key. I encourage you to take a moment to read through information about the bills scheduled for debate. The most effective legislators approach a policy proposal by reflecting on their personal views while also reviewing the potential outcomes (pros and cons), the stakeholders involved and, above all, the needs and views of their constituents. As such, I recommend trying to get a better understanding about the policy area, and how the legislation seeks to address the particular issue. This will significantly help you during conversations about the potential merits and drawbacks of the legislation with other students. Keep in mind that bills can be amended during the legislative process. You may wish to offer changes to the bill by adding, striking or rewording language that you believe would produce a better result.
I hope that the information contained on this webpage is helpful to you. I always enjoy hearing from constituents so please feel free to share photos, videos, or thoughts about your SGD experience. If you have any questions leading up to April 5th, do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
MICHAEL O. MOORE
State Senator
Second Worcester District
Student Government Day (SGD) Origins
SGD is codified in the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) as Chapter 6 §12M. The law was enacted by the Legislature in 1947 to encourage youth civic engagement and to enable students from across the state to "observe the processes of government."
Legislation Scheduled for Debate during SGD 2019
S.1279 - An Act regulating flavored tobacco products
Brief Summary: This bill was filed in response to the growing crisis of youth e-cigarette and vape usage. This bill would ban the sale of all flavored cigarettes and restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products to adult-only smoking bars. According to the FDA’s own publications, flavored cigarettes “are known to appeal to youth and young adults” and further, with regard to flavored tobacco products, “research suggests flavors may also make these products more enticing to youth and young adults.” The data show the same- the FDA has found that since 2017, 1.5 million more students use e-cigarettes, with a 78% increase in use among high school students and 48% increase among middle school students.
H.2007 - An Act for no organized head impacts to schoolchildren
Brief Summary: In an effort to prevent youth concussions, the bill prevents youth in seventh grade or below from engaging in organized tackle football. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention currently sights “the number of years of exposure to repeated head or brain injuries” as the greatest risk factor for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Individuals with increased and prolonged exposure to such trauma, including athletes and veterans, are at a significantly greater risk of contracting the disease. In fact 110 out of 111 former NFL players who donated their brains to The VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank in Boston have been diagnosed with CTE. National governing bodies for youth hockey, lacrosse, and soccer have taken similar initiatives to bar checking or heading until the age of 12. However, there is currently no governing body for youth football empowered to take such a step.
Frequently Asked Questions*
Is transportation provided for SGD?
Transportation is not provided. The State House is located at 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133. State House Directions.Where do I enter the State House?
You can use either of the two public entrances:
(1) The General Hooker Entrance is on Beacon Street just right of the center gate; look for the statue of General Joseph Hooker on his horse.
(2) The Ashburton Park Entrance is on Bowdoin Street: look for a white column with an eagle on top. This entrance offers handicap accessibility; for more information on handicap accessibility, please call (617) 727-3676.Is there parking at the State House?
The Massachusetts State House does not have public parking facilities. If public transit is not available to you, the nearest parking facility to the State House is the Boston Common Garage, operated by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Information can be obtained at (617) 954-2096 or at MCCA Boston Common Garage page.Is public transportation to the State House available?
The State House is a short walk from the Park Street stop on the MBTA's Red and Green Lines and from Government Center on the Green and Blue Lines. Information on bus and train schedules, rates, and routes can be obtained from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), (617) 222-3200, or toll free at 1-800-392-6100.Information on Commuter Rail options to South Station along the Framingham-Worcester line can be obtained from the MBTA at (617) 222-3200.
Is lunch provided?
No, the day will end promptly at 1:00 p.m. Students and their chaperones can make lunch arrangements on their own.What should I wear?
Appropriate men's attire is a sport coat/slacks or a suit, shirt with a collar, tie, and dress shoes. Appropriate women's attire is a business suit/dress or blouse/shirt and skirt or pants and dress shoes. No jeans of any color are allowed.What should I bring?
Please bring a school-issued or government-issued ID. All other materials will be provided in the packets students will receive at registration. Please note that the event coordinators discourage students from bringing backpacks, purses, or other such items to the State House, as these must be searched, which may delay timely registration. Food and beverages are not allowed in the auditorium or chambers where the day's activities will take place. Also note that students are not permitted to bring any type of campaign materials to the event.What time should I arrive?
Please plan to arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. A large number of students will need to check in a very short time period, so you need to allow time to go through security and registration. Please account for the heavy morning commute, and begin your trip to Boston early to ensure your timely arrival. The Student Government Day activities will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:00 p.m.Can both elected students attend SGD?
The elected student designee and student alternate should both attend. If for some reason the student designee is unable to attend Student Government Day, the student alternate will serve as the school's student designee to Student Government Day. Please note that whether the student alternate takes the role of an absent student designee to Student Government Day, in most cases he or she will also have the opportunity to participate in the day's activities.
*Information provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education