Congratulations!

Congratulations to the 39th Class of The Harrisburg Internship Semester!

Recognition Luncheon

The interns and their sponsors were honored at a Recognition Luncheon on the final day of the internship. Family, friends, and special guests were in attendance. Each intern gave thanks to the people who supported them during the semester. Special thanks were given to Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Association of Pennsylvania State Colleges and University Faculties (APSCUF), and Dr. Geiser-Getz.

Week 15 Seminar

Mr. David John Assistant Director of the Joint State Government Commission spoke at this week's seminar. The Joint State Government Commission serves as the bipartisan and bicameral research agency of the General Assembly. The Commission is responsible for research conducted by task forces and advisory committees. Examples of recent task force committees that have been formed are one to study the distribution of methadone and another to study wrongful convictions. Status reports on task force and advisory committees can be viewed here.
Mr. David John has worked in state government for many years. He shared his perspective on the changes that have occurred over time. He feels that the focus of policymakers has changed dramatically. Mr. John also shared advice on working in state government.

Week 14 Seminar

This week the interns had an informative discussion with Mr. Nathan Benefield. Mr. Nathan Benefield is the Director of Policy Research at the Commonwealth Foundation. He has researched and written on public policy issues. The issues he has researched include government spending, education reform, and economic development. He writes a blog and also uses Twitter as means of communication. Mr. Benefield graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois with a degree in political science and economics. He also earned a Master’s degree in public service management from DePaul.

Mr. Benefield offered advice to the interns. He stated that three attributes he looks for when interviewing are research skills, writing skills, and passion.

The Commonwealth Foundation is an independent, non-profit research and educational institute. They develop and advance public policies based on the nation’s founding principles of limited constitutional government, economic freedom, and personal responsibility for one’s actions.

Week 13 Seminar

Mr. Guy Jensen, Deputy Executive Director for the Legislative Office of Research Liaison (LORL), spoke with the interns at this week's seminar. Mr. Jensen was an intern at LORL in 1987. He acted as an intern while attending The Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Jensen was hired as a full-time Research Analyst two years later. As Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Jensen is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of LORL's Legislative Inquiry Service.

LORL is a nonpartisan research agency. They provide access to many of the state’s institutions of higher education and their faculties’ expertise. LORL was created in 1976 to be the General Assembly’s science and technology staff. The personnel at LORL respond to specific inquiries from people in the legislative branch. They have provided information on topics such as taxation, health policy, and education