As a first timer to the National Congress on School Transportation, the experience gave me a inside look into what it takes to move standards through a committee that included up to delegates from 48 different states.
The proceedings reminded me of sitting on the floor of the New York State Assembly during an internship years ago — the formal steps that led to each final decision, the discussion by the numerous parties involved and the differing pace between different topics. There were moments of heated discussion, especially surrounding the adoption of the School Bus Inspection section. In a vote, and subsequent re-vote due to issues with the remote voting system, the initial motion to pass the entire section failed. You could feel the mood change before the vote after one delegate mentioned the possibility of federal fines as a result of adopting the section; something that more than one delegate disagreed with during conversations following Monday’s session. A day later, the initial vote was overturned with a motion to bring the section back for discussion, and after a review of each part of the section, the vote tipped in favor of its adoption.
Wednesday’s session has been smooth, with many motions (including some that writing committee members were concerned about the ability to pass) easily approved with no discussion. The members are looking to close the proceeding on a high note and many, myself included, look forward to returning to their home states to await the 2015 Congress.
