UH’s Student Government Association created a new position Wednesday night that will help organize their trip to the state capital over the spring break holiday in their efforts to soften inevitable budget cuts.
Markley Rogers was appointed to be associate director of government relations shortly after the position was created because of his past experience and his successful efforts in creating sources within the Legislature.
“We have all been working hard trying to organize this trip to make it as effective as possible,” Rogers said. “We’ve talked to the representatives at the state level setting up meetings for the next week. Today, I was able to get eight appointments.”
The trip to Austin will be led by SGA President Prince Wilson, who has had past experiences dealing with the politicians in the State Capitol. Last month, he spent a day educating lawmakers in similar efforts to stop budget cuts.
Next week, with a 16-to-20-person team, he will have a different strategy.
The group will be divided into pairs that will have thirty-minute sessions with 14 representatives each day.
“For the senators not attending, we will give you 10 offices to call,” Wilson said while addressing the SGA senate. “Each of you has a responsibility to bat for the students as elected officials.”
But Wilson’s war cry at the SGA meeting fell on deaf ears.
Fifteen senators showed up for the meeting. Some senators left during recess of the session. Only 12 senators were present for the final roll call. The absences forced SGA to hold off in voting on important bills regarding a new sign-in policy for the Welcome Center.
“This is goddamn ridiculous that no one showed up,” chief justice Taylor Kilroy said while addressing the senate. “It is sad that I have to thank the few of you who came for coming.”
Despite the poor attendance, SGA was able to accomplish some key business in making their trip to Austin effective.
The meetings in Austin will take place on Monday and Tuesday.
