Fantasy Could Become Reality In Jeff City by Ashley Westbrook, Francis Howell Central

Every year at Youth in Government, there seems to be one bill that manages to get attention because of its unusual subject matter. Last year, that bill involved legalizing duels to solve disputes, and this year, that bill is House bill #44.
The bill, written by Matt Dietz of the Rockwood Summit delegation, seeks to raise sales tax from 4.25% to 4.75%. The difference will be used to “create a state governmental program called the Department of Science and Technology.” This program will research using narwhals and purebred racehorses in order to clone magical unicorns. The unicorns will then “unite their magical powers to bring immediate happiness to all people on the planet.”
Whether by intent or not, the bill has brought a humorous aspect in the otherwise serious House. Senior Laura Fleming from the Ladue High School delegation said, “Even though [the house] tackles some tough issues [this bill] helps to keep things fun. I mean, everybody loves unicorns.” This thought was echoed by Ben Dye, a senior from the Francis Howell Central delegation. He asserted that YIG should, “not only be about learning” but that it should “also be about fun.” Whether the bill passes committee remains to be seen. The representatives appear to be torn between hoping that the bill does pass and hoping that it doesn’t. Fleming said that she harbors “a small hope” that it will pass. Ben Dye mentioned that the debate would “be very interesting.”
However, the legislators have not been completely carried away by the novelty of the bill, their focus remains on more important issues. Fleming’s opinion is that “if [this bill] passes committee it could waste time that could have been spent on more serious bills.” The representatives feel that even if the bill passes committee it is doubtful that it has any chance of passing the house.