PVCC Students Experience Government, Democracy in Richmond
The early morning sun just began to rise as PVCC participants boarded their bus to the General Assembly in Richmond on Thursday, February 5. PVCC President Frank Friedman, and Chair of Board, Ava Pippin coordinated the trip so that volunteer PVCC representatives could get an opportunity to speak face to face with their senators and delegates. The participants also designated part of their political adventure for a chance to observe the General Assembly during its noon session at the Capitol building.
The Patrick Henry building was the first to welcome the PVCC participants to Richmond. Once they made it inside and beyond the jaws of security, the group was escorted to a short briefing hosted by Virginia’s Secretary of Education, Anne Holton. Afterwards, a few participants were taken aside for the exhilarating opportunity to share their college story.
The group eventually exited the Patrick Henry building where they encountered violent winds throughout the streets of Richmond before reaching the General Assembly building. Frank Friedman broke everyone into smaller groups and the PVCC representatives quickly moved between each fifteen minute appointment they had scheduled with Virginia district legislators. Some legislators took their time to ask the names of each individual before the groups began their array of questions. If time allowed, legislators provided the groups with detailed answers and optimal feedback.
For instance, Senator Emmett Hanger Jr. (Republican) was asked if the salary increase for state employees had a future. The increase could give raises to PVCC faculty and staff. Hanger did not offer much hope to the issue in his response: “The truth of the matter is, if we do increase salary, we are really going to make a mess in the out-years unless people are willing to raise taxes. That’s where it’s really at. And there is gonna be such a resistance to that, I’d almost just hold off to it until there’s a revolt. Then, we’ll have to do what we have to do.”
Delegate Matt Feriss welcomed his group with details of the legislation he had just worked on that morning. He explained how Wintergreen Resort became a county tax-burden for the sheriff’s department to operate it. Feriss, along with the Police Militia Committee, wanted to work out a deal with the Nelson County’s Sheriff Department and the police departments surrounding it.
Feriss captured the admiration of others with his obvious commitment and homey southern accent when he said, “It’s not fair for the Nelson County residents to have to pay for all the extra work Wintergreen puts on a sheriff’s department.” The local delegate communicated his ideas with the group. Then, he ended the visit with a glamorous snapshot that included everyone.
As noon approached, legislators began to disappear from their offices to get ready for their session. This signaled all PVCC groups to meet in the lobby to begin their historic stroll to the Capitol building. They had to make it in time for the General Assembly’s noon session.
They traveled in the cold, over endless cobblestones, and through chanting protesters to reach their destination. The PVCC group joined many other visiting representatives who were there to voice their opinions and issues. The General Assembly began the session by recognizing all the groups that attended. When PVCC’s name was called, all sixteen participants stood and were recognized with applause from the surrounding groups, delegates, and senators . It was a moment that would stick with them forever.
“I had a great visit with the PVCC student delegation to the General Assembly today,” said Chair of the College Board Ava Pippin, “I enjoyed being with them and appreciated their enthusiasm for all aspects of what was going-on at the State Capital.”
Jason Herring, a current student, said this about the trip: “This trip was an enlightenment for me. Actually going to the General Assembly and seeing its everyday operation was awesome.”
Participant Jacqueline Washington said, “The General Assembly introduced one particular bill that got everyone’s attention about the approval of feral cats. Comical.”
Before everyone headed home, the group was dazzled with a classy and delicious lunch prepared by the Tobacco Co. Restaurant which sat perched above the city. Frank Friedman (PVCC president) generously treated everyone for both lunch and dessert while engaged in conversation. In the end, the PVCC group agreed that the General Assembly trip provided inspiring evidence of a working democracy.
