By Ian Meehleder
The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature started up once again today, and with it brings newfound life and light to the humble capital of Oklahoma City. As students from a variety of Oklahoma colleges pile into the Legislative chambers this week, a series of preliminary procedures kicked off the ceremonious display.
Aside from the standard welcome ceremony, the House of Representatives and Senators alike joined together in the Joint Committee Chambers to open the 2nd Session of the 48th Intercollegiate Legislature. First on the agenda was a moving speech from original OIL veteran, Joe Dorman.
“I started out in these halls in the very first OIL congregation. The first thing I fell in love with is the hall itself. There is something about these halls…I earned 15 stars during my time here. And I made more friends in my time than I ever thought I would,” Dorman said. “Sometimes you disagree on politics; you have to stand up for what you believe in. Don’t let that ruin your friendships.”
Following Dorman was Shelley Cadamy, another Legislative seasoned veteran in the Capital. After introduction, Cadamy gave a series of outstanding insights as to the real difference all the student legislators can potentially make in Oklahoma.
“This is a state that unfortunately, we can only go up from here,” Cadamy said. “We have a real education funding problem in Oklahoma. Students get homeschooled strictly out of parental laziness. We are 48th in the nation in education. We have a serious mental health funding issue, along with underfunded institutions for handling these issues.”
After the speeches concluded, the Joint Chamber moved into committee proceedings, working tirelessly to put the final touches on a wide variety of bills and amendments.
Beginning tomorrow bright and early, House and Senate members will begin the day in their Committees, finishing up the bills before sending them to the floor for debate. These bills range from gun control, to rape legislation, even marijuana legalization for the state of Oklahoma. The next four days promise to be full of surprises, and nothing shy of spectacular