WTXL
Youth Leadership Tallahassee & JMI host Government & Media Day
October 7, 2014
By Abbey MaurerTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) – Youth Leadership Tallahassee and the James Madison Institute hostedGovernment and Media Day.”
The day-long workshop provides top Tallahassee juniors with interactive events and discussions that focus on the branches of localand state government, the process of elections and the role media plays in keeping government accountable.The day started off with Mayor-Elect Andrew Gillum addressing the students during the “Mayor for a Day Election” event.That was followed by a game called “Let’s Balance” the budget, a mock executive decision-making game called “Bill or No Bill”, and then a mock Supreme Court case. Becky Liner, the Executive Vice President of James Madison Institute, said they’re trying to teach them the importance of being an engaged and involved citizen.”Because, the government answers to us the people and we elect our representatives,” said Liner. “We’re trying to get the students to understand issues as simple as access. Where do they have have access to their elected officials?”WTXL ABC 27’s Abbey Maurer participated in the lunch with elected officials and mediamembers.Others included Florida Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, City Commissioner Scott Maddox, and County Commissioners John Dailey and Kristen Dozier.
