Political Science and Sociology students had the opportunity to hear from Georgia’s Speaker of the House, as well as an outlook on the Georgia General Assembly’s 2017 session.
The event, “2017 Georgia Legislative Outlook,” was held by the University of Georgia Alumni Association on the 52nd floor of the Bank of America Building in downtown Atlanta. Students were able to attend because their instructor, Dr. Karen Owen, assistant professor of political science, is an alumna.
“I reached out to the Alumni Association and the speaker, who said our students were welcome to attend,” Owen said.
The event was not a requirement of the class but was made available to those who wanted to attend. Owen said five students took part in the event.
“The professor conducted a discussion with the Georgia Speaker of the House, and for an hour, he went through the hot button issues the Georgia General Assembly is facing this session,” she said.
Those issues included transportation, funding, casinos/gambling and the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act and how it could affect Georgia and Medicaid.
Owen said the students enjoyed the opportunity, including the conversations they were able to have with Speaker David Ralston.