Components

Governor’s Cabinet

The Governor’s Cabinet consists of the Governor and the Commissioners of each Department, who act as advisers to the Governor.

The Cabinet is not a legislature; Commissioners do not have votes, nor do they present, speak, or debate like representatives in the legislature. Commissioners are called upon to thoroughly research their Departments and act as expert advisers to the Governor about the programs and funding in their Departments. They will be actively engaged in the budget process during the entire conference.

Members of the Cabinet can expect to be a very integral part of their chamber, contribute often to the discussion, and learn a lot about the executive branch of government and the budget process.

Supreme Court

• In the supreme Justice, the big case this year was about a murder. The lawyers we’re for or against a search warrant for the murder. The lawyers were partnered and each group presented their arguments for both sides. Soon the judges came back out from their private meeting. When they did, they suggested ways to improve the lawyers arguments for continuing the case.

Lobbyists

• Lobbyists are divided into lobbying firms and will undergo intensive teambuilding training on Thursday night. Firms are “hired” to lobby for or against particular bills being considered, and they follow the bills throughout the conference, lobbying their position to any branch of government they choose. Lobbyists are charged with shedding light on facts, ideas, and opinions that support their position in an attempt to influence decision making in state government.