By Palmer Cerniglia and Clara McShane, Spain Park High School
Tomorrow-TODAY Staff Writers
Ella Meadows, Head Lobbyist. Photo by Ella Gant
The ALYIG lobbyists have an important role at Youth Leg. Lobbyists work tirelessly behind the scenes to develop arguments either for or against specific bills. ALYIG’s lobbyists evaluate bills on the dockets in depth to decide on bills they find interesting or important. They research, pass out fact sheets, and hold precedence in chambers to stand up or condemn those bills based on how they feel or what’s best for the state and legislation. Although each lobbyist holds an important job, two leadership positions within the lobbyist group are the Head Lobbyist and Assistant Head Lobbyist.
Ella Meadows is the head lobbyist at Youth Leg, where she oversees and leads a hard-working team. She has been lobbying for a bill that proposes community service as a punishment for students caught with nicotine in schools. Additionally, she and other lobbyists have been involved in bills concerning nutritional values, food packaging, and AI Bills. According to Meadows, “Good communication skills are imperative for a lobbyist, as they facilitate effective interactions between bill authors, while also improving teamwork.”
Jeb Blair, Assistant Head Lobbyist. Photo by Ella Gant
Jeb Blair is the assistant head lobbyist at Youth Leg, being the first one to help Ella Meadows, while also being an impactful leader for the team. Blair has been lobbying for a bill that delays school start times. He believes that this bill is necessary and important because it addresses the health requirements of students and allows them to follow a natural sleep schedule. As Jeb states, “A key character trait for lobbyists is empathy, as it enables a sense of understanding and consideration towards different viewpoints or perspectives on the issues they are lobbying.”
ALYIG appreciates its lobbyists and all the work they do, using their research and communication skills to advocate for meaningful change. Under the leadership of Ella Meadows and Jeb Blair, the ALYIG lobbyist team continues to influence important policies, from student health initiatives to AI regulations. Their dedication and strategic efforts ensure that diverse perspectives are considered in the legislative process, ultimately contributing to well-informed decision-making.