BC News

How does a bill become a law? Put it in the hands of BCMS legislative interns
Release Date: June 20, 2008

There is so much behind the scenes work that goes into getting things done at the State Capitol, according to BCMS 8th grade student Candace Cassidy. She should know — she’s walked the corridors of power.

Six of the 14 BCMS Legislative Interns from 2007-08, left to right, Candace Cassidy, Samantha Vell, Sydney Ferrigan, Jenna Hendrick (front), Kassie Parisi, and Sarah Booker.

Cassidy was one of 14 BCMS students who took part in the school’s 8th Grade Legislative Internship Program, which places students in two-month internships in the offices of assembly members.

“We learn about government in school, but I thought it really helped me understand government,” said Cassidy, who interned for Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein of Brooklyn.

The students play an integral, if not often celebrated, part in making a bill into law. In addition to filing papers and answering phones, they often hand delivered bills and other documents to members’ offices as their legislators were looking to enlist support for their proposals.

“You have a hands-on experience with how government actually works,” said Kassie Parisi, who worked in the office of Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, who represents Manhattan.

Sarah Booker, who worked for Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, agreed. She remembers helping to send letters out on behalf of the legislator after the state adopted a budget.

“We had to tell people, ‘I’m sorry we only got half of what we wanted, but here is what we did accomplish, and here’s what we’ll try do for next year,’” Booker said.

The program has been in existence Bethlehem Central for more than 30 years, and has been overseen for the last five by Middle School Social Studies teacher. It is coordinated by the office of Assemblyman Weinstein.

“It’s a great program. It allows students the opportunity to really get a taste of work,” Mr. Michalek said, adding that he often hears about former students coming back to the legislature for summer internships in high school, college and to work for the very same people they interned with in the 8th grade program.

Students said they weren’t necessarily sold on a career in government — they’ll explore their options — but they would definitely recommend the program to next year’s 8th graders. (That is if they can keep up with missing a big chunk of the school day once a week for two months).

“It was a good experience for the future,” said Jenna Hendrick, who also interned in Assemblywoman Weinstein’s office. “I thought it really helped me understand government.”

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