The statistics are alarming. The younger the voter, the less likely he or she is to vote.
Over the next four days, I will be working with the government teachers in my district to create a “web dialogue”–a town meeting in cyberspace. This discussion, facilitated by teachers, will bring students into contact with key decision-makers here in Richmond.
Our focus: the budget. I believe that a budget is a statement of priorities. Each year legislators are faced with a series of competing budget needs. Each may be worthwhile, but not all can be funded. The first step in creating a budget is to identify needs and to begin to weigh their relative importance.
Over the next two days (scheduled so all government classes can participate), students will identify needs in three key areas: transportation, education, and human services.
A distinguished group of panelists will serve as experts for the students:
Isis Castro, Member, Virginia State Board of Education; Douglas Koelemay, Commonwealth Transportation Board; and Deborah Oswalt, Executive Director, Virginia Health Care Foundation.
Then on Thursday and Friday, they will grapple with the same issues we are facing in Richmond. How can we prioritize? Do we need additional revenue? If so, from where should that revenue come? Should we expand programs? Cut programs?
The second discussion will include Del. Tom Rust, Del. Bob Brink, and other elected officials, all sharing thoughts on how we make those tough decisions.
Thanks to the Equal Footing Foundation for making this dialogue possible. We hope this dialogue will serve as a national model to involve other legislators across the country in bringing the real world of government into government classrooms.
Lets not forget though – Since the 2004 election, there has been major increases in Young Voter Turnout every election – and they are reliably Democratic. If only young voters voted in 2004, John Kerry would have won 375 Electoral Votes and Virginia. There was a large increase in Virginia in 2005 and we all know that in 2006, it was one of the largest turnouts in off-year elections by young people ever.
The biggest thing we can do is make sure to reach out and talk to young voters – they shouldnt be excluded from your canvassing. The biggest mistake candidates do is not ask a young person to vote.
Dominic — excellent points. One of the great things about the web dialogue is that it reaches young potential voters online. A new Pew study shows THAT is where younger voters are most likely to get their political information.
“Our focus: the budget. I believe that a budget is a statement of priorities. Each year legislators are faced with a series of competing budget needs. “Each may be worthwhile, but not all can be funded”. The first step in creating a budget is to identify needs and to begin to weigh their relative importance.
“Each may be worthwhile, but not all can be funded”
here here
Engaging young voters is always a positive
Then on Thursday and Friday, they will grapple with the same issues we are facing in Richmond. How can we prioritize? Do we need additional revenue? If so, from where should that revenue come? Should we expand programs? Cut programs?
Maybe all of our electeds should participate too :)
humm I just reread it again and one caveat
Isis Castro, Member, Virginia State Board of Education; Douglas Koelemay, Commonwealth Transportation Board; and Deborah Oswalt, Executive Director, Virginia Health Care Foundation.
You have a “lobbyist” for each area how about a “lobbyist” for the taxpayer too
just a friendly thought sounds like a great program wish I could have experienced it in high school
I am really hoping that the electeds will serve as “lobbyists” for the people. We are inviting both D’s and R’s to participate — this is not intended to be a partisan exercise AT ALL. We want students to learn how to think about issues and to become active citizens. If I do this again (and I hope to, although it is a LOT of work), we would always be interested in bringing in a broader array of participants.