By: Nathaniel Aftel

Recently, I had the chance to sit down and talk to the official Governor of Boys State, Nolan Reinhardt. I was able to get to know what his experience has been like as Governor as well as his plan for passing legislation. 

One question I asked Reinhardt was what he hopes to change for the citizens of Boys State. He said that he hopes to have a “speedy delegation of the counties.” Reinhardt wants to make things as efficient as possible for everyone at Boys State and he desires to bring all counties together. He also wants to create legislation that reflects the needs and desires of the citizens of Boys State. Reinhardt stated that he would like to, “get some bills that they [citizens of Boys State] wanted to see done for a while.” He would also like to see some of the legislation passed here go straight to the New York State Senate. 

I also asked Reinhardt what issue he is most passionate about. He said, “I was most passionate about elderly fraud during my campaign.” Reinhardt wants to prevent elderly scamming by giving older people the resources they need to correctly identify a scam. He believes elderly people are one of the most vulnerable generations and he wants to help them as a result. Despite Reinhardt being passionate about this issue, he is willing to put it aside to focus on the bills already being debated at Boys State.

“I think it is more important to focus on the bills that are in circulation,” Reinhardt said. He wants to do this, “in order to get stuff that other people want to see done here.” Reinhardt wants to ensure that the citizens of Boys State get their needs addressed as soon as possible. 

Another question I asked focused on the aspect of collaborating with the other high-ranking leaders at Boys State. Reinhardt told me that, “it’s been very smooth … we communicate regularly over text.” He said that the whole process has been very efficient. Reinhardt also says that he and the other leaders are, “all looking for the same thing.” That thing Reinhardt says is, “solid legislation.” They want to get that legislation complete before the end of Boys State. 

Lastly, I asked Reinhardt what he hopes a future Boys State would look like. He said that he hopes that it “looks pretty similar.” He believes this program has been a, “great experience.” He also believes it is important that there is a program that allows students, “to discuss issues that would be more difficult to discuss in everyday life.” Reinhardt admires how Boys State is a program that allows students from all around New York to get to know each other as well as a program that allows them to discuss certain issues in society.