Dickerson experiences legislative process from the governor’s office

Georgia Gwinnett students often jump at the chance for an internship, long considered a stepping stone to a rewarding career. But only one GGC student has made the leap to a prestigious internship in the state’s highest office.

Kennedy Dickerson, ’18, started interning with the office of Governor Nathan Deal in January, just in time for the kickoff of the always-hectic, annual, 40-day, legislative session.

For Dickerson, a political science major with the goal of one day possibly returning to the state capitol as a lobbyist, interning in the governor’s office has been eye-opening.

Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal, Kennedy Dickerson and Governor Nathan Deal.

...from the governor’s office

“It has broadened my mind, just as my professors at GGC had in the past,” the Fayetteville resident said. “I have learned to understand and accept others’ views, not just my own.”

Dickerson and five other college interns worked with the governor’s policy analysts during the legislative session.

If legislation dealing with transportation, natural resources or economic development hit the House or Senate floor or a committee’s agenda, Dickerson was there taking copious notes on the discussion, any proposed amendments and votes. She would then rush out a report on the latest developments. She also handled general office support tasks.

After the legislative session ended in April, Deal had to start considering what newly passed bills he would sign or veto. He turned to the policy team members for their bill assessments.

Dickerson was asked to make a presentation to the governor on House Bill 419, a measure allowing local governments to use their local noise ordinances to control the hours for shooting fireworks on all days except major holidays.

Dickerson wrote a memo about the bill and prepared talking points for her presentation. She said she was nervous but that after her presentation, Deal told her, “Good job and good bill.”

“I was so happy,” Dickerson said. Deal later signed the bill into law and it took effect July 1.

Dickerson was already familiar with some of the inner workings at the capitol when her internship started. For about 10 years, she has made occasional visits to Georgia’s Gold Dome, where her mother, Kathy Little, is a legislative assistant to Rep. John Meadows, R-Calhoun, chair of the House Rules Committee.

The internship experience helped Dickerson develop a clearer understanding of the legislative process and the role of the governor.

“The governor has his own agenda during the session, and he isn’t just presented with ideas that are placed on his desk,” Dickerson said. “He is involved in all of it.”

Dickerson’s internship was supposed to end in May, but it was extended through December, when Deal’s eight years as governor will end. After that, Dickerson, who graduated this spring, has her eyes set on a job and graduate school.

“Interning in such a prestigious office has reaffirmed my interest in lobbying,” she said. “Now that I have seen it live in action for 40 straight legislative days, I feel like it is something that I could do and be successful.”