Names in the News: Phillips

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Onalaska Boy Serves as Page in Senate

Matthew Phillips, a homeschooled student from Onalaska, recently served as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Phillips was one of 16 students who served as Senate pages for the 12th week of the 2015 legislative session.

Matthew was sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia.

The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working in the Legislature. Students are responsible for transporting documents between offices, as well as delivering messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a mock session.

“I found out about the Page Program through a friend,” Phillips said. “I’ve loved the experience so far, and I would encourage everyone to take this opportunity.”

Matthew especially enjoyed the Page School mock committee hearing. Phillips’ bill was to allow reimbursement of tax monies (a tax credit) to homeschool families that would otherwise be going to public education, but also to prohibit greater government control of home education.



“I felt it is important to maintain the variety of choices in education for parents, but also credit those who choose to home educate and not use the public education system,” Phillips said. “I feel strongly that families shouldn’t have to pay twice to educate other children first, and then their own.”

The bill passed in a 6-4 vote.

Phillips enjoys participating in the Civil Air Patrol, welding and metal work, hunting, riding horses, playing sports and dancing.

Matthew, 15, is the son of Cameron and Linda Phillips of Onalaska.

Students interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit http://goo.gl/ySz56J.