UTSA students explore the legislative process at state capitol

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Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon founded the Legislative Scholars Program in 2004

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(May 28, 2015)-- From the outside, getting a bill passed in the state legislature may not seem terribly exciting, but to this year’s Ruth Jones McClendon scholars, it’s been a part of a dream come true.

“Since Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon founded it in 2004, the Legislative Scholars Program has provided UTSA students an opportunity to interact with political leaders as they develop state laws and policy,” Honors College Dean Richard Diem said. “This is an experience that will assist them throughout their personal and professional lives.”

Six Honors College students were named McClendon scholars in January and are in Austin wrapping up their work alongside state representatives, doing their small part to help make bills become laws.

“It’s been very eye-opening,” said Sandy Herrera ’15, who’s aiding Rep. Dawnna Dukes. “I’ve gotten invaluable exposure to the legislative process. It’s incredible. When we’re able to pass a bill, it effects all the people in Texas and that’s definitely very rewarding.”

Herrera, who graduated from UTSA this month with a political science degree, plans to go to law school. She’s taking a year off to prepare for the LSAT and expressed passion for working in government, especially in Texas.

“I just see so many areas where we can make better policies to help more people in Texas,” she said. “A lot of policies weren’t able to get passed and there’s always room for improvement.”

Heather Riddle ’15 just finished her public administration degree at UTSA, and is now working for Speaker Straus’s Chief of Staff. Riddle expressed surprise when a pro-immigration rally sprang up in the hall outside the speaker’s office.

“That was one of the biggest events,” she said. “Two hundred people just decided to converge on this small hallway. It wasn’t scary, just surprising.”

Riddle said she found that the policy-making process was more complicated than she’d imagined. She is now looking forward to finding a job in public policy.

Katrina Parkey ’15 studied history and legal studies at UTSA and said she’s fallen in love with working at the capitol. She’s worked alongside Speaker Joe Straus and plans to stay any way she can as she applies to law schools.

“I’ve learned so much by actually being here, probably much more than I would learn in a classroom,” she said. “It’s really inspiring to see all the people involved in the legislative process. There are also a lot of rallies and so many passionate people making themselves heard. It’s so moving.”

Parkey said her favorite part of working at the capitol is taking calls from constituents voicing their concerns.

“You learn from them and they learn from you,” she said. “Every day you leave with a good feeling.”

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To learn more about the Legislative Scholars Program, visit http://www.ruthmcclendon.org/PAGES/scholars.htm.

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