Please note that this article is written courtesy of the students in CHS Participation in Government.
On April 28, 2026, Mrs. Brown’s CHS Participation in Government class took a trip to our state Capitol in Albany. There, we were fortunate to speak to our local representatives, Senator Pat Fahy and Assemblyman Robert Smullen. Our class researched, wrote letters to our representatives and designed questions to present them during our visit. They both sat down with us and shared their view on some important issues. The trip was very valuable as students got to see what our lawmakers schedules are like, and what they thought about our concerns.
The opportunity to have a discussion with our local representatives was very beneficial. We asked questions in regards to technology and AI. Senator Fahy thoroughly explained that it is hard to stay ahead of issues concerning advancements in technology and AI, and bills are going in house trying to address problems. While speaking to Fahy about housing accessibility and taxes, she brought up the pied-à-terre tax idea which would tax second homes in New York over 5 million dollars. When cell phone usage in schools was addressed, Assemblyman Smullen and Senator Fahy both agreed that the phone ban in NY schools is beneficial for students due to decreased screen time and more in person communication. When asked about high taxes and people moving out of state, Smullen emphasized that our state spends way too much money and wants to slowly decrease spending. He also suggests that electric buses can negatively impact school budgets and should be reconsidered. Both legislators provided clear points of view about moving forward for New York and want to see more young people vote. This trip provided not only nuanced information for students, but also how things get done at the state government level.
All in all, the trip to the New York State Capitol building was a great experience for the CHS class. Being able to speak to representatives is very important for everyone who has concerns about our state and our country. It was made very clear for students during the trip that the people who represent us care a lot about our concerns. As a class, all students thank both Senator Fahy and Assemblyman Smullen for taking the time to speak with students, as well as everyone who made the trip possible.