SENATOR CLEMENS HOSTS PROGRAM TO LET STUDENTS WRITE A LAW, TONIGHT AT SUNCOAST HIGH SCHOOL

LAKE WORTH, FL--- Florida State Senator Jeff Clemens (D-Lake Worth), along with State Representative Bobby Powell, Jr., is sponsoring a “There Ought To Be A Law” Competition for the AP Government Students at Suncoast High School. The students were asked to come up with an idea for a new law and formulate that idea into a legislative proposal. At the end of the competition, one proposal will be chosen and filed as a Bill for the upcoming Legislative Session. 

"Certainly, Legislators don't have a monopoly on good ideas," Clemens said. "I've heard some of the students' early idea drafts and I'm excited to see what they've come up with." 

The students at Suncoast High School began working in groups of four on their proposals in mid-September. The deadline for submission was October 28, 2013. Of the proposals submitted, five proposals were chosen as Finalists.

“Public participation is the most important part that we rely on as public officials,” said Powell. “This is an opportunity for our best and brightest to contribute to the process.”

The Finalists will present their proposals to a panel on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Suncoast High School. At the conclusion of the presentations, one proposal will be chosen to be filed as sponsored legislation for the 2014 Legislative Session.

Serving on the panel are: Dr. Linda Cartlidge, Principal, Suncoast High School; Mr. Kevin Oates, Assistant Principal, Suncoast High School; Dr. Debra Robinson, PBC School Board, District 7; Vern Pickup-Crawford, Legislative Liaison; State Representative Bobby Powell, Jr., Florida House District 89.