SENATOR CARLUCCI HOSTS STUDENT MOCK SESSION

PRESS RELEASE

Senator David Carlucci (D – Rockland/Westchester) chartered a bus for almost 50 students from Rockland County to the New York State Capitol in Albany to host a Mock Session.

Senator Carlucci’s Student Advisory Council prepared for the Mock Session by choosing bills to debate, on issues including paid family leave, banning flavored tobacco products and raising the minimum wage. Students also drafted and voted to pass legislation that increased voter registration by creating a “motor voter” automatic registration system and allowing for the pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds.

“Our Student Advisory Council is a great avenue for me to interact with the young people in our community to find out what really matters to them,” said Senator Carlucci. “I am extremely impressed with how prepared and engaged the students were with this entire project. Writing their own bill and learning how the legislative process works was not only a lesson in civic engagement, but it brought attention to how important it is to vote and be an active member of the electoral process. I look forward to doing the Mock Session again.”

“As the sponsor of the bill to prohibit flavored tobacco, I support finding ways to protect of our community, and I believe this bill will do just that,” said Mackenzie Nyemchek, a student from Felix Festa Middle School. “I had an amazing time in Albany while participating in the mock senate session, where I learned more about the legislative process and New York state government. I want to thank Senator Carlucci for this opportunity and I look forward to participating next year.”

“A huge problem in New York is the lack of voter registration and participation, especially among young people,” said Jonathan Schatz-Mizrahi, a student from Clarkstown South High School. “Only 54 percent of eligible voters between 18-24 in the Northeast are registered to vote. This bill would increase that number and hopefully allow for more representation from the younger demographics. As I was sitting in the senate chamber during the mock session, I looked around and thought to myself that I will hopefully one day have the privilege of serving the residents of New York as a State Senator.”