The first thing on our agenda today was a meeting between three legislators and a few lobbyists each representing different charter school management groups. But, we got in a little before that meeting started, so while Ms. DeVivo was doing important things I loitered in the legislative office’s library, which was very nice; however, after perusing through a copy of Black’s Law Dictionary and the fifth installment of one set of EPA regulations, I may be reconsidering a legal career.
The conference room that our meeting was in seemed like it hadn’t seen light since before the pandemic, but everything went along. Just like yesterday, everyone in the meeting was remarkably amicable as the lobbyists presented bills and the legislators questioned them. What really stuck me, other than the gravity of the problems facing our charter school developments, was the charming, gregarious nature of almost every single person in the room. I’m not sure if this is due to the removal of drowsy teenagers or that there is something truly unique about the Legislative Office, but my meetings at school are poles apart from this active friendliness, whether it be superficial or genuine.
Either way, it has already been incredibly fun to watch Ms. DeVivo navigate this dynamic ecosystem in just my first two days.
Andrew L.
Anti-abortion protesters in the front quad of the Legislative Building as we walked in.