Bruno Bennett will become the voice of University of Idaho students at the Idaho State Senate as ASUI’s new student lobbyist.
“This position is huge for ASUI and the student body,” said Samantha Perez, ASUI president. “It lets the student voice be heard.”
The ASUI lobbyist lives in Boise for the second semester of the school year and represents the UI student body while the Idaho State Legislature is in session. Bennett will receive nine university credits in political science for his participation in the legislative process.
Joe Black, former ASUI lobbyist, said the individual must be well versed in government proceedings, passionate about the university, and able to communicate with people without being abrasive.
“(Bennett) has got the right amount of intelligence and charisma. I think he’ll do an excellent job,” Black said.
Bennett, an Idaho native whose older brother also held the lobbyist position two years ago, said he understands the importance of the job.
“Personally, I rely on state-funded scholarships and grants to go to school. I can see it’s relevant in my life,” Bennett said. “I’m also passionate about the university, and I just thought this was something I could excel in.”
Bennett has been involved in ASUI since spring 2011 when he became a senator. Since then, Bruno has served as the president pro-tempore during the fall 2011 semester. He will step down as pro-tempore at the end of the semester to fulfill his lobbyist duties.
“I am super excited about it. Everything about the job — I’m just really excited,” Bennett said.
Black and Perez were in charge of this year’s selection. Black was responsible for recruiting candidates, and Perez joined him in the application and interview process to select the best candidate.
“I think that overall we made a great decision for our organization, and for the university,” Black said.
Last year, Black picked up quickly on items that would affect students at UI. He lobbied for an increased cigarette tax, which he said he believed would reduce the amount of money the state planned to cut from higher education.
“You need to be able to look beyond just higher education policy, and look to active solutions. I think that Bruno’s going to be great in this aspect,” Black said.
Black’s experience in the position helped him know exactly what qualities they would need to find in a qualified candidate.
“We were looking for someone who was very thorough. Someone who had a strong attention to detail,” Black said.
The lobbyist’s role is to represent UI in the state legislature and bring a face to ASUI policy and opinions officially established by the ASUI president.
“Whatever way I lobby, it’s not the way I personally feel. It’s the way the university as a whole feels. I’m just a mouthpiece,” Bennett said.
Perez, Black and Bennett agreed the lobbyist position is an excellent way for the student body to be heard.
“I like the idea of students being involved in the (legislative process),” Bennett said. “(The legislators) are just normal people from Idaho. They want to know our perspective and what we have to say.”