KYA What is KYA Kentucky Youth Assembly • The Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) is a three-day experiential learning conference in which students participate directly in the Commonwealth’s democratic process. • Acting as Senators and Representatives, students will write, debate, and vote on legislation that affects them. • As candidates, lobbyists, or members of the media, students experience the rich spectrum of activity that constitutes our political process. As advocates and justices, students argue and judge a legal case in the actual Supreme Court chambers of Kentucky. Officers elected by students serve as Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Media Corps Editor in Chief, and other conference leadership. Continued…. • KYA offers students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of issues, develop critical thinking skills, and articulate their beliefs while engaging constructively with those who hold like and opposing views. Officer Positions: • Presiding KYA 2014 Governor: Regan Smith, E J Hayes Alumni, now Freshman at HCHS • Governor Candidate: TBA • KYA President/Leadership Candidate: 8th Grade— • Must attend Leadership Conf. TBA In Frankfort at Ky. YMCA from 1-4. • Media Specialist: 1 delegate • Parliamentarian: 2 7th/8th grade / • 2 6th grade • Bill Author’s: 4 Per Bill • Visuals—4-per Bill Outstanding Bills 2011 • An act to enforce all Kentucky Businesses to have a FLMA. (Family Medical Leave Act.) • An act to require all Kentucky Residents receiving welfare to be subject to random drug screening. • An act to regulate the sale of all alcoholic energy drinks, also known as alco-pops to be regulated in the state of Kentucky by requiring the sale of these items to be kept in the tobacco area of the stores. Next Meeting: • Turn in Permission slip and deposit and KYA Fee of $25.00 • Elect a Governor Candidate • Elect a President of KYA– Also this person will be in our Leadership Candidate– must travel one day to Frankfort on a Sunday for a training– approximately 4 hours long • Bill Authors must generate ideas– we will vote on bills to pursue. • Only 1 bill per 15 delegates is allowed and 1 Premier Bill– which is a group of 6th graders led by Mr. Bishop. • Set Weekly Dates according to Bill Author Availability. Bill Ideas? Let’s brainstorm some ideas for Bills— Think about what effects you? What effects Kentuckians? What is important to you? What actions can you take to make things better for people in Kentucky? • Popular Ideas: Recycling Programs, medical services, safety-issues. • • • • • Choosing a Bill: • Your bill be ranked on the following criteria: • What makes a question debatable? • “Why will this solution work?” • “Wouldn’t another solution offer the same benefits?” Bills will be judged on the following: • Debatability –Can it be argued? • Feasibility—Can it be implemented? • Creativity –Is this creative? Think Outside the Box! • Importunateness—This should effect Kentuckians be something others would care about. • Preparation/Preparedness: Know your bill— Know the answers to these questions. Top Issues Facing Kentuckians • Pill Mills--Prescription Drug Activity in Kentucky— what are the penalties? • Casino Gambling • Child Abuse and Release to Public Records; Cases are often not reported each year. • Many children are often taken away from parents for abuse in cases of parental drug abuse; these children are often placed with family members. These family members are often not tested for drug abuse themselves. Therefore, many students placed in these homes are subject to the same scenerio. More Ideas • Recycling programs –Should recycling be mandatory in Kentucky at any school-sponsored event? • Hemp production • Medicaid/Medicare • Meth and Kentuckians. • Bullying—Middle schools provide a bully-camp for those indicted on bullying charges in school. --3rd offense. • Hunger—Free and Reduced Lunch programs-- Food programs in schools—Food for Thought? Let’s Review—What is the Law-making process? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nKyihoV9z8 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKvY0Q3tI6I