A Look Inside the Lobbyist Fair

Written By: Ashlea Eaton

The unsung heroes of Youth and Government are the Lobbyists. The delegates who don’t choose Legislative, Judicial, or Press, decided to rather help their fellow Legislative delegates. Lobbyists work in pairs and must choose a topic to lobby for. After their topic is approved, they can search for relating bills. Lobbyist’s main job is to find pieces of proposed legislation they agree with and try to help them be passed. The big event for these delegates comes on the first night of the Model Convention, the Lobbyist fair. Where they are given the opportunity to meet with other delegates and advocate for their chosen bills.  

Jocilyn Koser and her partner Isha Shah, from the Middletown delegation, chose Women’s Rights as their topics. Mainly championing for bills dealing with things like abortion and access to feminine hygiene products. Koser said that along with supporting other bills, Lobbyists have the chance to write their own bills. Although they can’t debate them, other Legislative delegates are allowed to sponsor them.  

Brooke Lassinger along with her partner Lauren Schriner, from the Knoch delegation, are focusing on representing doctors. Lassinger said that she felt that bills against doctors are usually very black and white. Hoping that she and her partner could try and change that, they decided to represent doctors was a good fit for them.  Listing some of their sponsored bills as numbers 107, 301, 384, 453, 726, and so many more. These bills may deal with any issues concerning doctors or medicines.

Lobbyists have a job not always seen by others. However, it is an important and hard job to do. Lobbyists are a very important part in making a piece of legislation pass and continue to be a thriving part of YAG.