Mar. 18	NFA College Planning Workshop
Mar. 25	NFA Percussion and Keyboard Ensemble Concert
Mar. 29 – 4/5	Spring Recess – No School
more...

     Students in Shirley Riefenhauser’s classes at Newburgh Free Academy received a special visit from Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s District Representative Chris White recently as part of a lesson in their Participation in Government and Government in Politics classes. White explained that he works as a liaison when the Congressman is away on business or if his schedule is hectic with events and meetings. White encouraged the students to write letters, emails, form a petition, or simply phone their Congressman with their thoughts and ideas if they have an idea on a specific topic. “What do you want or need the Congressman to do?” asked White.

     White and the students engaged in several discussions throughout the course of his presentation with the current state of health care reform weighing heavily on the minds of many students. Topics such as health care for students following their college years that are no longer under a family plan, but can’t afford to pay for benefits such as COBRA, were of importance to students. White also spoke about health care premiums for small business owners. “It’s the small businesses that are watching the health care premiums go up and up,” explained White. White discussed with the students that while health care premiums increase by at times 8% each year, wages generally only increase by 3% which often creates a black hole for those climbing into debt from medical expenses. In addition, the group discussed their thoughts on whether or not people with preexisting medical conditions should be denied coverage.

     Other discussions focus around the budget and where the money comes from as well as where the funds are allocated such as the military, education, and the prison system. “We only have so much money to work with,” said White. White and the students discussed the taxes on paychecks as well as property taxes. White said that when the budget comes Hinchey will be ready to act. “He’s going to have to take a hard look at what comes down the pipe. He will have to look at the proposed information and ask himself is this going to help the people in his district,” explained White.

     Riefenhauser said that the idea for inviting White as the special guest speaker came as a way to reinforce the topics that the students were taught in their classes. “These students are all about 17 years old and many will probably be voting next year. This gives them the opportunity to become engaged in what’s going on around them and to become more active citizens.”