NEWS RELEASE                                   May 17, 2007     

Legislative Youth Advisory Council seeks new applicants

OLYMPIA –  Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is encouraging Washington youth who may be interested in advising the state Legislature on legislation and policy matters of importance to them to apply for a seat on the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC).

“This council of 14 to 18-year-olds was established to give the Legislature advice on critical issues related to education, health and fitness, test reform, school safety and other topics related to youth,” Owen said. “Members of LYAC have an important voice in speaking for Washington youth and at the same time get a great education on civic involvement.” 

LYAC consists of twenty-two members who serve two-year terms and if eligible, may be reappointed for subsequent two-year terms. They can meet up to six times a year. 

The 2005 legislation that created the council was set to expire this June but was extended through June of 2009 by legislation sponsored by Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines) and Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe (D-Bothell). Under the new legislation, final appointments are made by the lieutenant governor based on recommendations and selection criteria developed by the council itself. 

The legislation also instructs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide administration, coordination and facilitation assistance to the council, with the state Senate and House of Representatives to provide assistance with fiscal and policy briefings.

New member applications are now being accepted through July 2, 2007. The application includes a section for teacher recommendations. The application form can be downloaded from the “Youth and Communities” section of lieutenant governor’s Web site at http://www.ltgov.wa.gov

More information about the council can be found on the Web site itself, or by sending an email to lyac@leg.wa.gov

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For more information contact:
                                   

Judi Best, Senate Civic Education Coordinator, (360) 786-7451 or Kate Berry, chair of LYAC at  lyac@leg.wa.gov

Office of the Lt. Governor: Brian Dirks (360) 786-7707 or dirks.brian@leg.wa.gov