#maggieross

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Controversies in Governor’s Election

It is likely that most of the delegates attending this Model convention have already heard about the provoking discussion that was sparked by the article in Friday’s newspaper. However, for those not aware of what controversies the article entailed, the article “Nathan Ellis Drops from Governor Race,” mentioned a preferred candidate in the Governor’s race by Nathan Ellis himself. The Press Corps wants to encourage articles that spark debate and report on the facts and opinions of others.

Nathan Ellis was planning on running for next year’s Youth Governor, but dropped out shortly before the weekend of Model. After an interview was published in the Capitol Chronicle about this subject, many were shocked to see Ellis publicly sharing his support of one candidate over the other. He does not regret a single word he said during that interview; “I was asked an honest question and I gave an honest answer,” Ellis answered; proudly. Honesty is all that can be asked from an interviewee, and that’s what was given. Ellis is unapologetic for his remarks, and believes that the press did their job well by reporting what he had said and meant. He knows that Youth and Government is a program that will be filled with controversial subjects because it has delegates with a wide variety of different beliefs and backgrounds. “We’re allowed to have our own opinions, it’s what we’re here for. I am proud of what I said and I encourage anyone to speak their mind and not let some drama get in the way.”

Editor in Chief, Gabby Pino, received some backlash for this article’s publication, and took it to social media later Friday night to explain where the Press Corps stands in this controversial article. Pino wanted to make it clear that, although opinions will always come up, they are not the Press Corps’s personal views and does not reflect the opinions of the Press Corps on the running candidates.  “Never will we endorse a candidate and there is never intentional bias released from the publications,” Pino ensures. She believes that the quote was a very necessary detail to include in the article. When a candidate drops out of a big race like this, people need to know what their thought process. This article did just that, and Ellis answered the questions with nothing less than honesty. Pino does not want any delegate entering the Press room without permission from an editor.

“ Youth and Government is a program where you need to vocalize your opinions, and it’s all about vocalizing opinions,” Ben Sheker, Youth Governor candidate, explained. “I think it was an opinion based article, and I’m totally cool with it. I have no problem with somebody vocalizing their opinions and endorsing a candidate in the Press. I think that’s what Youth and Government is all about. In no way do I see this as a controversy, and I see it as a positive thing, and in no way do I see it as a cheat to my campaign.” Sheker stated that whatever happens in the outcome of this election, he believes that both Sharma and himself are both suitable candidates for the Governor position. Sheker requested that his campaign team was not questioned, as he wanted to speak for himself upon how he personally interpreted the article.  

Rishin Sharma was just as surprised as the rest of the delegates to see Ellis’ endorsement. “Nathan Ellis is one of the best delegates within the YAG program and I respect him so much and still do. I was honestly sad after he dropped out of the race because anywhere in the program Nathan goes, success follows, and that's not me speaking as a governor candidate,” Sharma shared passionately. Sharma was not expecting Ellis to endorse him and was not aware of what Ellis had said until Friday’s article had been published.

Being involved in any form of government will come with its controversies. It is to be expected, so it is no surprise that some was sparked during this election. 

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BH #405: Face the Waste Act (Editorial)

There are many bill topics this year that have caught delegate’s eye this Model convention, and Blue Representative Bill #BH 405, titled “Face the Waste Act”, is no exception.

Written by Lynn Dang, the bill encourages farmers to voluntarily implement

a machine that turns the methane gas released from manure into usable energy. Not only would this technology save the ozone layer from being attacked by the methane pollutant, but this energy can be turned into usable electricity for farmers to either sell, or use for themselves. “The systems themselves can still be an incentive because they are cost effective. Once you install it, and use it, it pays off.” With a farmer’s decision to implement such an impressive device, they would be making “pure revenue” from the subsidies that are attached to the incentives of the act.

Dang’s inspiration for the creation of the bill came from “a documentary called Cowspiracy and it talked about how raising agriculture is one of the most harmful things to the environment, and people don’t realize it.” However rewarding this act would be, the process to get it this far wasn’t easy for Lynn.

Last Model, the bill was considered “very controversial because it was a mandate.”

This year, with a few changes to encourage this bill to pass both the House and Senate, Dang’s objectives remain the same. “I’m at least still raising awareness to the recovery systems and that’s one of the big issues with these systems is that people don’t know about them.”

Looking at this long-term proposal, Dang would want to see this bill made into U.S. policy. She hopes that “as more farms start to use it, others will see benefits; which will make more people want to implement the methane digester into their farming systems.“

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Press Conference

The 2018 Model press conference went smoothly as Colin Black, the 72nd Youth Governor of Pennsylvania, spoke passionately about what bills he and his admin will be supporting, and what legacy he wishes to leave behind when his Youth and Government career ends with the conclusion of Model.

“This year we have put a major focus on green energy, as well as equality in the workplace,” Black declared. However, “just because it is a green bill, doesn’t mean we support it.” Sticking to his declaration of finding a middle ground, Black and his administration are focusing on bills that find a median between the free market and green energy.

Additionally, Black declared which bill topics he and his administration are in support of, and which they are against. Blue House Bill 604, “Thinking Outside the Box Act’s” purposes to limit the amount of time a prisoner can spend in solitary confinement to only eight hours a day. Speaking of this bill, Black voiced his opposition; explaining, “solitary confinement is a necessary evil, as horrible as it is.”

Another bill that was mentioned during the conference was Blue Committee Chair Bill Number 600, titled “No Hits for Gun Kits.” This bill’s goal is to  make the possession of an unregistered gun kit illegal. Youth Governor, Colin Black, supports the bill.

Under the belief that no way shape or form should citizens of the commonwealth should have easy access to a kit that can easily assemble a firearm.” Likewise, the administration “heavily favors” the Blue Committee Chair Bill number 630, the “Democracy for all Act,” which focuses on allowing those sixteen and older to exercise their right to vote in their school board elections.

Black explained his pride in the diversity in beliefs and opinions his admin carries, explaining the benefits this has on selecting the bills they support and encouraging debate within their own administration. Not only does Black favor debate within his administration, but he respects any bill that comes with “quality debate” in the Senate and the House.

For example, Bill number 761 (“The Commonwealth Substance Determination Act”), written by David Mailman, is one the administration predicts will spark debate. Despite not agreeing with the bill’s intent, Black is “very happy that he [wrote the bill], so our students can start to ask these big questions, such as, “what is the separation of  the federal government versus the state government?”

Speaking about this year’s Model convention, Black is prideful of the delegates this year because of the way every member in each branch is speaking about the topics in government that matter to them. “I am so proud at every single delegate who wrote a bill, who stood up in the courtroom and spoke, who has written an article and wrote on something they care about” Black explained with pride. “That proves they are recognizing that their voice matters.”

Black is even more impressed with the diverse aspects each delegate has taken an opinion on; these debates ranging from gun control, to the establishment of liquor laws, and to the heavy topic of the legality of abortion.  “I have read every bill in the bill book, and I can say that I was more than pleased. We have delegates that are interested in every single aspect of government.”

Black wants his story to inspire newer members of the program. He never would have believed he could fill the role of Governor until he declared for the position, and he wants others to take that same leap of faith. Colin urged that “you never know what is going to come your way. Do something you wouldn’t have done. It’s the unknown in our lives that makes us stronger. Don’t be afraid of the unknown.”