JOPLIN , MO (SNS) - Two legislative interns from Missouri Southern State University were elected to leadership positions for this April's mock legislative session on the Missouri House of Representatives floor.

Mark Peron, senior political science major from Joplin, was elected Speaker Pro Tempore.

Jacob "Jake" Williams, freshman political science major from Joplin, was elected Assistant Floor Leader.

The mock legislative session is slated for April 10 and April 18.

Missouri Southern legislative intern Jacilyn Harris, senior political science major from Neosho, says leaders of the mock session choose what bills will be heard, select committee chairs, name the house chaplain and make other appointments.

“It is a very big deal up here, getting into the leadership positions,” Harris says. “There were many alliances made and many destroyed.”

The interns spend the first few months of the session preparing by drafting mock legislation, holding hearings and electing leadership. They end by debating their issues on the house floor. The mock session gives all interns the opportunity to step into the shoes of their legislative counterparts.

Harris says legislation has not yet been drafted but issues surrounding health insurance, social services, Medicare and Medicaid will number high among the list.

Leaders from MSSU may introduce legislation that would mandate that the State of Missouri equalize monetary allocations per student for higher education among all public colleges and universities statewide. She says the bill could meet with stiff opposition.

Following bill filings and closings, committee hearings will begin on March 22. Bill filings will open on March 7 and will close on March 21. All 160 interns, most from colleges and universities in the Show-Me State, will take on the role elected officials when the mock session convenes in April.

Missouri Southern State University Students Serving as Missouri House Interns

MISSOURI
Bolivar
Jonathan Russell
Law Enforcement

Joplin
Frank Neely
Senior
Political Science

Mark Peron
Senior
Political Science

Skylar Ross
Sophomore
Political Science

Elizabeth Rees
Sophomore
Political Science

Jacob Williams
Freshman
Political Science

Neosho
Jacilyn Harris
Senior

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