(SACRAMENTO) -- Seven Rialto High School seniors, four of whom flew for the first time, attended a Legischool Town Hall meeting at the State Capitol on Thursday (Feb. 7) to learn more about the state budget process and Californians' role in the process.

Along with their government teacher, Matthew Carter, the students toured the State Capitol, and visited with their Assembly Member, Wilmer Amina Carter (District 62), who discussed her experiences as a legislator.

The Legischool Project is a nonpartisan civic education program that brings together high school students from throughout California to engage in the democratic process. The purpose is to meet state leaders and share ideas on public policy issues affecting Californians and the nation.  The program is a collaboration of the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento and the state Legislature.

The Rialto seniors were joined by students from Global Youth Charter High School in Antelope and Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento. They participated in a town hall meeting that challenged them to set priorities for the state's future by creating a budget that reflects their values and vision while learning more about the process that makes the state budget possible.

 "We were discussing Schwarzenegger's plan for releasing inmates to save money," said Erik Casillas, who says he is a Rialto High Republican and "a Huckabee man." "That got to me when I read it in the paper. I wanted to hear details. At first I didn't like it, putting lives and property in jeopardy, but then when I heard how much it costs to house a prisoner, I'm now looking at it from both directions, the pros and the cons. I'm on the fence."

The students said that some of the day's highlights were: seeing the swearing in of the District 55 Assembly Member, hearing Speaker of the House Fabian Núñez address the legislature, and being introduced in the Assembly by Assembly Member Carter. At least two students said that the trip has influenced their career plans.

Assembly Member Carter said that Legischool "is a wonderful program that allows our young future leaders the opportunity to gain a unique understanding of our state's legislative process and issues. It is rewarding to meet such exceptional students who will one day replace me in the Legislature."

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(The California Channel aired the forum live on February 7, and it is expected to be re-broadcast at noon on Friday, February 14.  All scheduling information is available at www.calchannel.com and the event can be viewed in streaming video in the archive area of the Cal Channel web site.)
To talk to students and teacher, Matthew Carter, phone numbers are available on request.

HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO IS AVAILABLE BY EMAILING  erbbraun1029@verizon.net

Rialto High seniors at Legischool meet Assembly Member Carter. Cesar Patino, Kevin Sar , Eddie Sigalam, teacher Matthew Carter, Wafa Rodriguez, Erik Casillas, Stephanie Flores and Michael Garcia.