Welcome to Opening Ceremonies! On behalf of my fellow Presiding

Officers, I would like to thank you for attending

the 56th Annual Florida YMCA Youth In Government State

Assembly. It is the delegates that make this

event possible, through hard work year-round, from Servant Leadership

Conference to this moment. It has been our

honor to serve you over the last year and we are

thrilled to see the

culmination of our collective efforts.

The leadership and civic knowledge you have all displayed

throughout the course of this program year

exceeds precedents set in years past, but this program is about more

than modeling the process. Personalize this

assembly; make it yours. Step outside of your comfort zone and

embrace the opportunity to be the best version of

yourself. Take a moment to reflect upon what you

want to gain from this

experience. What are your goals? Your dreams? Develop your

plan of attack and act on it. Many have

worked hard to present you with this

opportunity, but it is

your responsibility to take advantage of it. Make your mark on

this program and leave without regret.

Have a great State Assembly!

BY CHRISTINA WILEY Youth Governor

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

An Unforgettable Week on the Mountain

Whenever someone asks me

about the Conference On National Affairs (CONA), I

am speechless. How

does one describe a

week of life-changing experiences?

Every year, 25 Florida delegates are chosen to attend the

conference. These delegates excel in their

respective programs,

demonstrate leadership,

and model the YMCA’s core values: caring,

honesty, respect, and responsibility.

This unforgettable

week begins on the white porch and green

rocking chairs of Lee Hall, where strangers connect through the

“Blue Ridge Spirit”. CONA drives delegates

to their fullest potential. Delegates experience deeper dimensions of

YIG culture. They are personally impacted

through meeting students with different

political views, but

with same enthusiasm

for this program and commitment to

bettering our country. There is still time

to apply! The Billbook

includes a CONA alternate form. The

application is due at the end of session on Friday.

The Florida CONA Delegation will be

announced during Closing Ceremonies. I found my “Florida

family” and the best part of myself on the

Mountain. You can do the same.

BY ALI RENCKENS Asst. Editor

TAMPA DELEGATION

Youth Governor, Christina Wiley. Courtesy of Florida YMCA Youth In Government.

The 2012 CONA Florida Delegation. Courtesy of Florida YMCA Youth In Government.

Youth Governor Encourages Growth OPENING CEREMONIES EDITION 21 FEBRUARY 2013

2 CAPITOL BRIEFINGS OPENING CEREMONIES EDITION 21 FEBRUARY 2013

League of Justices

This year, the Capitol is welcoming

nearly seven hundred Youth In Government

delegates for the 56th State Assembly. The program is growing

quickly, and with that, all of the branches are

expanding as well. The judicial branch has felt the results of

this growth heavily. They have received

applications for more firms than they are

able to accept, capping off the Supreme Court a t 1 6 f i r m s . The justices have high expectations for

the firms that have

made it. Senior Justice Courtney Scoufis of

South County asks that “...everyone will try their best and have

good sportsmanship.” “We want them to

be competitive, but have fun,” says Senior Justice Niraj Vyas of

West Central Florida. To get the District and

S u p r e m e C o u r t attorneys into the a r g u m e n t a t i v e

mindset, the justices have planned “Cooky

C a s e s , ” l i k e legislative’s silly bills,

t o p r a c t i c e . All of the justices are excited for the

possible signing of a joint resolution, or an

amendment to the

Florida constitution that would change the

required age of candidacy. Because joint resolutions must

be passed in chambers and then the Cabinet,

but enforced by the Supreme Court, they have the rare power to

unite the legislative and judicial branches. This week will be hectic and demanding for both the justices

a n d a t t o r n e y s . However, Chief Justice

T h o m a s S e i d l e r d e m a n d s t h a t

at to rneys “ come prepared.” He is excited for the week

and looking forward to passing judgments.

BY CAT SMITH Asst. Editor

SOUTH COUNTY

Legislative Expectations

With six chambers this year, the legisla-tive presiding officers

are ready to get the tradition restarted.

Legislative Presiding Officers Alec Polansky, John Beatty, Jackson

Armstrong, and Seth Reid have been work-

ing feverishly to add two additional cham-bers to the legislative

p r o g r a m a r e a . Because of the ex-

pansion, delegates will

have to work even

harder in order to get their bills to the gover-

nor’s desk. Williams Senate President Alec P o l a n s k y s a y s ,

“Creativity is key. We want delegates to

take normal ideas and apply them in creative ways. That is really

what we are looking for.”

Polansky believes that creativity is what sets apart good bills

from great bills. W h e n g i v i n g

speeches and opening

statements in commit-

tees, the officers en-courage delegates to

be passionate and pre-pared. Showing your passion is a perfect

way to express your enthusiasm and

eagerness to your au-d i e n c e . A suggestion from

the officers is to use NDTQ’s to your ad-

vantage. “Instead of stating your stats in your opening, plant

NDTQ’s to make sure that your stats are

heard and you use all

the time of first com-

mittee to your bene-fit,” said Polansky. Fi-

nally, remember to be clear and concise. “I’m also excited to

see how our delegates will raise their level of

debate as they are giv-en more opportunities to speak. I know they

will surpass expecta-tions,” said Polansky.

Capitol Briefings and The Page Note will be re-

porting on the legisla-tive branch throughout

the weekend.

BY HALEY OBERHOFER Editor-in-Chief

WEST CENTRAL FL

LEARN LEAD SERVE

YMCA USA , AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION NATIONAL JUDICIAL COMPETITION CHICAGO, IL JULY 31ST- AUGUST 3RD

2013

The National Judicial Competition (NJC) brings together Youth in Government participants from around the country to face off in mock trial and appellate competitions. Turn in the application (found in your Billbook) by end of session on Friday to be considered!

21 FEBRUARY 2013 CAPITOL BRIEFINGS OPENING CEREMONIES EDITION 3

The Bridge to the Cabinet

STOP BY THE YIG STORE

4TH FLOOR OF THE CAPITOL FRIDAY & SATURDAY

G la r i ng l i g h t s shadow, rather than

reveal, their faces. Standing before this

ominous semicircle of silhouettes is the climax of a legislator’s

greatest fear and highest honor: passing

his/her bill before the House, Senate, and, finally, the Executive

Cabinet. Natalie Tuttle, the

Chief of Staff, is looking forward to

more connec t ion between the cabinet and delegates this

year. She feels there has been a lack of

connection between the two branches in the past, but now,

“We’re conscious of

that.” She predicts, “The first night will be

mass chaos and after that [it will be] one of the bes t S ta te

Assemblies we’ve ever seen…The Presiding

Officers this year are extremely friendly and working extremely

hard…we’re looking forward to our future

and legacy.” The Cabinet is ass isted by the

Directors of Legislative Affairs, who have

replaced lobbyists “to teach [delegates] more

how government works,” explains Leah Colucci, one of the

three Directors of Legislative Affairs

assisting the Office of the Governor. She is anticipating “a lot of

great bills being

debated and some wonderful legislation

p a s s e d … I h o p e everyone has a wonderful time and

that the cabinet can help everyone do

that.” Tuttle offers this advice for delegates:

“Don’t hesitate to ask questions or make

mistakes…we’ve all been there and everyone is looking out

for everyone else.” L i e u t e n a n t

Governor Nishani Karunamuni adds,

“Don’t be afraid to speak, meet new people, and do things

you usually wouldn’t. Sometimes these new

experiences are what you remember most.”

BY ALI RENCKENS Asst. Editor

TAMPA

Presiding Officer

elections are one of the most important

events of the Youth In Government year. H o w e v e r , t h i s

opportunity is just as vital for regular

delegates as it is for candidates. Not only do delegates have the

responsibility to select the best candidate for

the position, but

candidates must also perform their PO duties

w i t h ded i c a t i o n , enthusiasm, and integrity. Understandably, many

delegates base their decisions on friendship,

rather than pure capability. Unfortunately, these choices can cause

problems in the program a s a w h o l e .

“We have to be choosing people who have the best skill sets

to continue to take our program to the next

level year after year.

And sometimes that can be your best

friend, and sometimes it’s not,” says Youth In Government Executive

Director Samantha Lane. Y I G h a s a n

opportunity to grow and positively influence not only its delegates, but

also the community. The POs are the ones

leading everyone into a brighter future, but it is up to the delegates to decide

who these important leaders will be.

BY ALI RENCKENS CAT SMITH Asst. Editors

TAMPA & SOUTH COUNTY

Electing New Servant Leaders

4 CAPITOL BRIEFINGS OPENING CEREMONIES EDITION 21 FEBRUARY 2013

Letter from the Editor

Fifty-six years ago, Youth In Government

was just an idea. Today, the program

h a s o v e r 700 delegates, six legislative chambers,

over 70 supporting officers, and 13

presiding officers. This simple idea inspired, and continues to

inspire, thousands of students to pursue

their passions and i g n i t e c h a n g e .

It only takes one person, one idea, one mark to make a

difference. Befriend someone outside of

your de lega t ion; debate a bill; step out of your comfort zone.

Take your leadership to the next level. State

Assembly will be over before you know it. Whether you are in

Judicial, Page Corps., or Legislative, I

encourage you to write for our publications and speak out this

weekend. We welcome comics, funny page

notes, and articles for our blog, The Page N o t e

(www.thepagenote.blogspot.com). Our Press

Corps will also publish 5 issues of Capitol Briefings for your

e n j o y m e n t t h i s

weekend.

This weekend, be sure to pick up all of

the issues of Capitol Briefings to stay up to date with all things

YIG. For 2013-2014 p res id ing o f f i c e r

candidate information, check out the blog to make an informed

decision. In addition to candidate information,

we will be reporting on all program areas. The members of the

press corps. are the eyes and ears of this

assembly and we need your help to keep the

delegates informed. If you have any article ideas or events you

would like to be c o v e r e d , p l e a s e

contact a member of the press corps. and we will consider your

article proposal. O u r a s s i s t a n t

editors , Ali Renckens and Cat Smith will be working hard this

week to bring you issues of Capitol

Briefings and posts on The Page Note. These

SOs have exceeded

expectations during the program year and

have helped expand their press programs and have worked on

publications on a local and state level. All

press corps members have worked extremely hard during their FDCs

and meetings to bring you this publication.

This weekend, I encourage you to push boundaries and make

your mark on this program. Whether you

are a sixth-year senior delegate, like me, or a

first year page, there is always a place in this program to inspire and

be inspired. I wish you all the

best of luck in your program areas, and welcome to the 56th

State Assembly.

In the Spirit of Democracy,

Haley Oberhofer Editor-in-Chief

2011-2013

BY HALEY OBERHOFER Editor-in-Chief

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HALEY OBERHOFER

ASSISTANT EDITORS ALI RENCKENS CAT SMITH

STAFF ANDRIA BARRIOS JOANNA BEAZLEY

LANCE HAMIC KAYLIE HOROWITZ DEVIN PATEL

SOPHIA UNSON KRISTA REINHARDT

HALEY

ALI

CAT

4 CAPITOL BRIEFINGS FRIDAY EARLY EDITION 22 FEBRUARY 2013

Cooky Cases crack the code

A l though their environment may sometimes suggest otherwise, attorneys from judicial know how to have fun. They may seem serious, but during the first night of State Assembly, they debate what they call “cooky cases.” Similar to legislative silly bills, these judicial mock cases are less

formal than ordinary cases as well as fun and instructive for f irst-year judicial d e l eg a t e s . J u l i a Agranove, a first-year attorney from Ft. Myers delegation, enjoys the relaxed version of judicial. The cooky case Agranove was involved in at that time was about a disabled man named Charles Bogey. He was suing for the right to ride in a golf cart for a tournament,

instead of walking. Agranove was on the side of the disabled man. “They should not discriminate against him.” She noted that the disability was not his fault and that riding in the cart was a privilege that should be given to him. Sydney Eskin, a second year attorney from Ft . Myers delegation, was on the opposing side.

“For Bogey to have a cart would be to make the playing field uneven.” These jud i c ia l attorneys have serious procedures whi le maintaining a sense of lesser formality than usual for these cases. Eskin reflects: “It is a great introduction to first year attorneys in the District Court, while still a refresher for the older attorneys in the Supreme Court.”

We are the forty-nine percent

With another exciting State Assembly comes a vivacious wave of new delegates, this year m a k i n g u p approximately 49% of the delegates present at this February 2013 State Assembly. The majority of us can recall memories of our

f i r s t You th i n Government State Assembly, but can you recall your expectations? Your aspirations? The P r e s s C o r p s investigated a few YIG newbies on their past day’s experiences. “For Judicial, I thought that the whole p r o c e s s w o u l d resemble more of a regular trial, rather than a custom one. I

still enjoyed, it but it was different from what I expected, “says D e l e g a t e P a y a l Majmundar of Fort Myers High School. This was a common response among most District Court attorneys in their first year of Youth in Government. McKeel Academy Delegate, Ruchi Patel, explained that aside from the club having a

great reputation, she joined because of the encouragement of her peers that were a l r eady i n the program. “I’m happy my friends encouraged me to; I love the club!” Without a doubt, YIG can look forward to more prosperous years to come with these wonderful new delegates!

BY KRISTA REINHARDT

STAFF

TAMPA DELEGATION

BY SOPHIA UNSON

STAFF

SOUTH COUNTY

DELEGATION

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HALEY OBERHOFER

ASSISTANT EDITORS ALI RENCKENS CAT SMITH

STAFF

ANDRIA BARRIOS • JOANNA BEAZLEY

LANCE HAMIC • KAYLIE HOROWITZ • DEVIN PATEL

SOPHIA UNSON • KRISTA REINHARDT

WEATHER HIGH 78° LOW 68°

Strong student leadership is what has made and kept Youth In Government a life-changing program for 56 years. Seven delegates are willing challenge themselves by meeting the challenges of a Presiding Officer. Katie Pacheco, Ranjika Pingale, and Liam Tirney are running for Commissioner of Agriculture. Paula Brito and Ranjika Pingale

are candidates for Chief Financial Officer, while Natalia Diaz and Bhuvnaa Mahajan seek election as Attorney General. Although each individual brings his/her own flavor to the Executive Cabinet, they have all felt the powerful, personal impact of this program. Electing candidates that model servant leadership is essential for future delegates to have this same unforgettable experience, while officers still add spice to the program.

Meet the candidates; ask what they hope to accomplish as a Presiding Officer. As Editor-in-Chief Haley Oberhofer reminded delegates, “Take accountability

for your vote…this is your program.” For quotes from last night’s speeches, check out our blog The Page Note at thepagenote.blogspot.com.

2013-2014 Presiding Officer candidates give their speeches. Photo courtesy of Alex Whiteside.

BY ALI RENCKENS

ASSISTANT EDITOR

TAMPA DELEGATION

New lobbyists support cabinet’s agenda

Executive officers and Directors of Legis-lative Affairs spent

Thursday night run-ning races around the church to different committees, observing debates and encourag-ing legislators to vote for bills that fit their agenda.

Even before State Assembly began, they were researching bills and preparing their committee speeches. One of the Directors of Legislative Affairs for the Governor, Leah Colucci, had 15 bills pass to Second Com-mittee. Commissioner of Education Audrey Guerra had five pass. However, Secretary of the Environmental Protection Cayla New-man says that there “weren’t many envi-ronment bills to

choose from,” but, “anything that helps the environment, I’m up for.” Regard l ess o f whether or not the Cabinet has bills, the DLAs will still be busy this weekend. “I can still pick up bills to support so I’m still excited to be in the program,” states Abby Bernaldo, the DLA for the Office of Environmental Protec-tion.

BY CAT SMITH

ASSISTANT EDITOR

SOUTH COUNTY

DELEGEATION

Surgeon General Anupa Kotipoyina encourages delegates in 2nd Com-mittee to vote for a bill. Photo courtesy of Cat Smith.

FRIDAY EARLY EDITION · 22 FEBRUARY 2013

The next generation of servant leaders

DOCKET INSIDE

DON’T FORGET! Friday lunch will be hosted on the 22nd Floor of the Capitol. Delegates will be released with their program area. Please have your orange lunch ticket out when you arrive at the 4th floor elevators. When you arrive, please choose a vendor, grab your grub and enjoy the view! Following lunch, please proceed back to your Chamber with your program area.

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t A

fsah

i BH

1

00

1

1

23

A

grio

s, A

. SS

2

00

0

53

Agr

ios,

M.

BS

10

18

7

8

A

l-Ba

hou

SH

20

01

2

2

A

lvar

ez

SS

2

00

2

1

14

Am

on

SH

20

03

1

2

24

Ant

oine

SH

2

09

5

40

20

A

usm

us

WS

30

00

2

5

Ba

ll BH

N

B 4

Ba

ron

BS

10

00

5

2

19

Ba

rrer

a SS

2

00

2

2

14

Barr

ios

BH

10

05

5

4

Bass

SS

2

00

6

61

Bate

s BS

1

00

2

55

6

Be

ach

BS

10

04

77

Bela

l SH

2

00

5

37

Bell

SS

21

14

72

Bely

eu

SH

20

07

8

1

6

Benn

ett

SS

20

94

58

Berg

hash

SS

2

00

8

75

Beri

swill

, C.

SS

20

10

8

0

Be

risw

ill, J

. BH

1

00

7

8

Be

tanc

ourt

W

S 3

00

2

4 1

3

Bisb

ee

BH

NB

9

Bl

ackb

and

WH

3

00

1

5

Bl

and

BS

10

08

46

1

0

Bona

ro

WS

30

04

37

Boye

s SH

2

00

9

55

Bozo

r BH

1

00

9

55

2

0

Bram

ley

SS

NB

81

Bren

estu

hl

SH

21

01

3

4

Bris

coe

WH

3

00

3

22

Brit

o W

H

30

05

3

4

Broc

kway

W

H

30

07

5

9

Br

own,

J.

SS

20

12

49

Brow

n, L

. SS

2

01

4 4

1

Brow

n, M

. W

H

NB

71

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t Br

oyle

s SH

2

03

9

3

25

Br

uegg

eman

n W

H

30

09

1

6

Bu

lkow

ski

SS

20

16

6

6

Bu

rr

BS

10

10

1

2

Bu

tler

, M.

SH

20

43

42

Bu

tler

, S.

BS

10

12

1

3

Ca

hill-

Patr

ay

SS

20

18

2

5

Ca

llaha

n BH

1

01

1

66

Cam

eron

W

H

30

11

5

0

Ca

mpb

ell,

C.

SS

20

20

2

1

12

Ca

mpb

ell,

I. SH

2

01

3

70

Caro

n W

H

NB

73

Cast

illo

WH

3

01

3

29

1

9

Catl

in

WS

30

06

1

3

9

Ceill

ey

BH

NB

65

Chak

er

BS

10

14

48

Ch

ang

BH

10

15

2

4

Chen

BH

1

01

7

46

Ch

rist

y SH

2

01

5

49

Ci

lent

i BS

1

01

6

62

Citt

y BS

1

01

8

34

Cl

ayto

n SS

N

B 8

2

Co

lqui

tt

SS

20

24

55

Com

moc

k BH

1

11

5

75

Com

mon

s W

H

30

15

3

0

Co

nte

WH

3

01

7

56

Cont

rera

s SH

2

01

7

36

2

3

Cont

rera

s-Su

arez

BH

1

01

9

41

9

Cori

stin

e W

H

30

19

6

4

Cort

ese

BH

10

21

7

3

Co

sgro

ve

BS

10

20

3

3

Co

sme

SH

20

19

3

9

21

Co

sola

SS

2

02

6

12

Cost

low

SH

2

02

1

64

Co

tt

SS

20

18

2

6

Cr

aig

BS

10

20

3

2

4

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t Cr

iss

BH

10

23

40

1

0

Curr

an

SS

10

24

56

Curr

ie

SS

20

28

7

6

D

afer

ede,

C.

SH

10

27

5

2

D

afer

ede,

S.

WS

30

08

1

0

11

D

'Am

elio

BH

1

02

5

45

18

D

anie

le

SH

20

23

1

9

D

eHay

BS

N

B 3

1

D

erilu

s SS

2

13

0

19

Deu

ell

SH

10

80

6

9

D

iam

ond

SS

20

30

1

4 1

0

Dia

z BS

1

02

6

42

17

D

ibbl

e W

H

30

21

2

3

D

iMen

no

BS

10

28

3

2

D

odge

W

H

30

23

6

2

D

olat

owsk

i SH

2

05

5

5

11

D

onof

rio

SH

20

25

6

0

D

oshi

BH

1

02

9

58

Dou

gher

ty

SS

20

32

40

1

3

Dou

glas

BS

1

03

0

35

Dre

iser

W

S 3

01

0

24

D

resi

er

SH

20

27

5

9

D

rive

r, J

e.

WS

30

12

1

4 7

D

rive

r, J

o.

BH

10

31

6

0

D

unha

m, A

. SH

2

02

9

9

12

D

unha

m, M

. BS

1

03

2

71

Dun

son

SH

20

31

7

1

El

iam

BS

1

03

4 47

Elis

eo

BS

NB

76

Elki

n, C

. W

H

30

25

47

Elki

n, E

. BS

N

B 2

1

El

mar

si

SH

20

33

7

2

Ev

ans

WH

3

02

7

14

7

Fair

trac

e SH

2

03

5

45

Fa

rnet

i BH

1

03

3

42

7

Fay

BH

10

35

7

4

Feld

hous

e SS

2

03

4 5

0

26

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t Fe

rgus

on

WS

30

14

8

15

Fe

zzie

SH

2

03

7

51

Flas

ters

tein

SH

2

03

9

4

Flue

llen

BS

10

36

7

3

13

Fl

ynn

SS

20

36

3

3

7

Ford

, D.

SH

20

41

33

Ford

, J.

SS

20

38

7

8

25

Fo

rd, W

. W

S 3

01

6

38

Ford

ham

SH

2

043

43

Fran

cis

SS

20

40

17

1

8

Fred

rick

son

WH

3

02

9

18

4

Free

man

BH

1

03

7

52

2

Fu

cign

a BS

1

03

8

49

G

arci

a BS

1

00

0

44

19

G

eige

r SS

2

042

7

7

G

eorg

e SS

2

044

2

2

23

G

illen

BH

1

10

9

44

G

illes

pie

BS

10

40

61

Gip

e BS

1

042

3

0

G

ittn

er

SH

20

45

63

Glo

gow

ski

BS

10

44

20

Glo

rie

BS

10

46

70

God

win

W

S 3

01

8

18

Gol

dste

in

BH

10

41

43

G

onza

lez

BS

10

64

2

23

G

ordo

n W

H

30

31

1

0

17

G

otsc

h, V

. SH

2

13

1

46

5

Gre

en

SS

20

46

48

G

rego

ry, A

. BS

1

048

5

9

G

rego

ry, N

a.

BH

10

43

53

1

6

Gre

gory

, Ni.

BS

10

50

40

1

4 G

rego

ry, N

o.

BH

10

45

64

G

riff

in

WH

3

03

3

61

Gri

mal

do

SS

20

48

27

Gro

ves

BS

10

52

3

6

G

ucci

one

SH

10

55

6

8

G

uerr

a SH

2

047

2

1

18

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t G

uerr

ier

SS

20

86

3

1

21

G

ulot

ta

BH

10

47

15

1

1

Hab

er

WH

3

03

5

36

Hai

nes

SH

20

49

67

Ham

aker

SH

2

05

1

66

Ham

mon

ds,

S.

BH

10

49

2

Ham

mon

ds,

T.

SH

20

53

6

1

Har

rell,

B.

SS

20

50

6

2

H

arre

ll, L

. BS

1

05

2

19

Har

ris,

A.

BH

11

25

3

Har

ris,

M.

WS

30

20

2

7

H

arri

son

WH

3

03

7

8

H

art

WH

3

03

9

4 3

H

artm

an

BS

10

54

11

Hat

ton

WH

3

041

2

4 1

3

Hav

rani

ak

BS

10

56

1

8

H

eink

BH

1

05

1

6

H

ende

rson

SH

2

05

5

6

H

erol

d BS

1

05

8

29

Hes

sing

W

H

NB

70

Hoa

dley

BH

N

B 7

Hob

bs

SS

20

52

3

5

27

H

olla

nd

WS

30

24

3

2

Hoo

ker

SH

20

57

7

3

H

oza

SH

20

59

1

4 9

In

es

SS

30

43

37

2

Is

aacs

on

BH

10

53

1

0

Ja

ckso

n SS

2

05

4 6

5

Ja

cobs

BH

1

05

5

63

Jaco

bson

BS

1

06

0

50

Jam

al

SH

20

61

6

5

Ja

mer

son

WS

30

26

1

1

Ja

son

SH

20

63

7

4

Jean

SS

2

05

6

7

17

Je

rnst

rom

SH

2

06

5

15

1

9

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t Jo

nes,

D.

BS

10

62

2

8

Jo

nes,

M.

WS

30

28

2

1

2

Jone

s, P

. SS

2

05

8

15

1

9

Jose

ph

BH

10

57

5

7

Jo

yce

WH

3

045

2

5

12

Jo

yner

, B.

WS

30

30

3

1

Jo

yner

, M.

BH

10

81

6

8

Ju

nco

SH

20

67

2

0

1

Kab

eer,

A.

SS

20

60

5

1

K

abee

r, Z

. SS

2

06

0

52

Kah

n BS

1

06

4 1

5

23

K

een

WH

3

047

1

9

1

Kes

sler

W

H

30

49

17

1

8

Kim

brou

gh

SH

20

69

3

0

14

Kin

g W

H

30

51

2

0

16

K

nigh

t SS

2

06

2

57

Kor

ah

WH

3

05

3

15

Kre

ss

WS

30

32

2

8

La

atsc

h SH

2

07

1

75

LaR

oche

lle

BH

10

59

2

5

5

Laur

etta

W

S 3

03

4 7

5

La

w

WH

3

05

5

55

Le

SS

20

64

46

Le

gel

WH

3

05

7

48

Le

gent

us, F

. SS

2

06

6

69

Lege

ntus

, M

SS

20

66

7

0

Le

Moy

ne

WS

30

36

2

0

16

Le

veng

ood

BH

NB

26

Lew

is

SS

20

68

1

6

Li

ttle

SH

2

07

3

11

4

Lizw

elic

ha

BS

10

66

1

4

Lock

e W

H

30

59

3

7

Lo

gan

BH

10

61

5

1

Lo

ndon

SS

2

07

0

71

Lope

z, A

. W

H

NB

72

Lope

z, M

. BS

1

10

2

27

Lope

z, V

. SS

2

07

2

74

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t Lo

ya

BH

NB

39

Loza

ndie

r SS

2

11

2

43

Lu

jan

SH

20

75

7

6

M

acD

onal

d BH

1

06

5

16

Mad

den

BS

10

74

58

1

5

Man

n W

H

30

61

1

1

15

M

arno

tes

BH

NB

17

Mar

tin

BS

NB

5

M

asju

an

SH

20

15

5

0

M

aure

r W

S 3

03

8

33

McB

ride

SS

2

07

4 6

2

2

McC

aule

y BS

N

B 5

6

M

cDan

iel

WH

3

06

3

27

2

0

McF

all

WS

30

40

9

M

cGin

nis

BS

10

68

5

4 3

M

cKal

ip

SH

20

77

2

4 2

2

McK

eage

BH

1

06

9

72

McM

illin

BS

1

07

0

65

8

M

cNei

ll SH

2

07

9

77

McP

adde

n SS

2

07

6

5

4 M

cQui

lkin

BS

1

044

3

8

M

cWhi

rter

BS

1

07

2

75

1

1

Mel

linge

r W

H

30

65

5

8

M

ento

n SH

2

08

1

13

6

M

etca

lf

BH

10

71

2

2

4 M

ewbo

rn

BS

10

74

45

15

M

eyer

BH

1

07

3

67

3

M

eyer

son

BS

10

76

3

7

M

ilber

g SS

2

07

8

38

Mill

ard

SS

21

36

3

4 2

4 M

illay

W

S 3

042

1

7

6

Mir

anda

, C.

SS

20

80

6

4

Mir

anda

, G.

SH

20

83

5

7

M

odi

BH

10

75

2

3

1

Mog

ollo

n W

H

30

67

46

Mol

ina

SH

20

09

5

6

M

onto

ya

BH

10

77

6

9

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t M

oorh

ead

BS

NB

69

Mor

eno

BH

11

13

3

7

M

orri

s BS

1

07

8

9

5

Mor

se, C

. BH

1

07

9

38

Mor

se, K

. W

H

30

69

2

8

9

Mor

zani

ga

WS

30

44

36

Mos

kov

SS

20

82

2

8

8

Mox

am

SH

20

85

3

8

M

uldo

on

BH

10

81

5

6

M

unga

ll BS

1

08

0

23

Mur

ray

WH

3

07

1

38

Mye

rs, D

. SH

2

08

7

78

Mye

rs, M

. W

H

30

73

5

4

Nee

dles

BH

1

10

9

5

N

eel

BH

10

81

2

7

N

evill

e BS

1

08

2

74

18

N

unne

r SS

2

08

4 5

4

Nus

sbau

mer

BH

1

08

3

14

12

N

ussb

aum

er,

D.

BS

10

84

60

1

6

O'C

onne

l BS

1

08

6

43

20

O

ehle

r SH

2

12

9

25

O'H

allo

ran

Leac

h W

S 3

046

3

4

Oliv

er

BH

10

85

2

8

O

rinv

il SS

2

08

6

32

2

1

Oss

a SS

2

08

8

42

O

um

SH

20

89

1

6

10

Pa

chec

o, D

. SS

2

09

0

11

9

Pa

chec

o, K

. W

H

30

75

3

2

Pa

rady

BH

1

08

7

50

Park

er

WH

3

07

7

12

2

Pa

rris

h W

S 3

048

6

1

0

Pasc

hal

WH

3

07

9

51

Pate

l, A

. BH

1

08

9

29

Pate

l, D

. BH

1

09

1

18

1

4 Pa

tel,

J.

SS

20

92

6

7

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t Pa

tel,

M.

BH

10

93

1

1

22

Pa

tel,

Ne.

SH

2

09

1

17

3

Pa

tel,

Ni.

BS

10

88

6

7

Pa

tel,

Ru.

SH

2

09

3

44

Pa

tel,

Rya

. SS

2

09

4 5

9

Pa

ul

SH

20

95

41

Payn

e, C

. BS

1

09

0

22

Payn

e, M

. SS

2

09

6

9

11

Pe

arso

n W

H

30

81

45

Pelit

era

SS

20

98

3

9

Pe

ng

WH

3

08

3

52

Pepp

ler,

Re.

BH

N

B 1

9

Pe

pple

r, R

y.

SH

20

97

5

4

Pere

z W

H

30

85

1

3

Ph

elps

SH

2

09

9

79

Pitt

man

BS

1

01

8

72

Pizz

o W

S 3

05

0

35

Plis

cott

BH

1

09

5

36

Pona

der

SS

21

00

1

8

20

Po

nzio

BH

1

11

3

59

Pool

BS

1

09

2

17

Pope

, J.

WS

30

52

3

9

Po

pe, K

. W

S 3

05

4 1

2

Po

tapo

w

WH

3

08

7

35

Pow

ell

SS

21

02

2

4 1

5

Pow

ers,

L.

SS

21

04

41

Po

wer

s, M

. W

S 3

05

6

30

Pres

cher

BH

N

B 7

0

Pr

ice

BS

10

94

24

9

Proc

tor

WH

3

08

9

3

8

Pszo

ta

SH

21

01

3

5

Q

uake

r SH

2

05

3

62

Rac

hman

SH

2

10

3

23

Ral

icki

, I.

WH

3

09

1

43

R

avin

der

BH

10

97

2

0

8

Red

dick

BH

1

09

9

30

1

3

Red

dy

BS

10

96

8

4

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t R

enck

ens,

M.

SS

21

06

45

Rey

nold

s, N

. BS

1

09

8

66

7

R

eyno

lds,

P.

WH

3

09

3

1

5

Ric

hard

s W

S 3

05

8

23

Riv

era

BS

10

54

16

Rob

are

BS

10

24

39

Rod

rigu

e W

H

30

95

3

9

R

odri

guez

, A

l. BH

1

10

1

61

Rod

rigu

ez,

An.

SS

2

10

8

47

Rod

rigu

ez, C

. BH

1

10

1

49

R

oger

s BH

1

10

3

21

1

5

Roh

m

BS

11

00

4

2

Roo

rda

SS

21

10

6

8

R

oss

SH

21

05

2

8

13

R

oth

BH

NB

76

Rug

geri

W

S 3

06

0

15

1

4 R

yan,

A.

BH

11

05

47

1

7

Rya

n, H

. W

S 3

06

2

5

4 R

yan,

J.

WS

30

64

40

Sa

bati

no, J

. BS

N

B 5

1

Sa

bati

no, L

. SH

N

B 8

3

Sa

chs

WS

30

66

2

1

Sa

inti

l SS

2

11

2

44

Sa

ntos

W

H

30

97

6

5

Sa

vage

W

H

30

99

6

6

Sc

hrim

sher

W

S 3

06

8

11

8

Se

ide

SS

21

14

73

Sepu

lved

a BS

1

10

2

26

Shaf

fer

SS

21

16

1

0

3

Shah

BH

1

10

7

71

6

Sh

arke

y SH

1

12

3

32

Shat

kun

WS

30

70

41

Shaw

SH

2

13

5

82

Shir

BS

1

10

4 5

3

21

Sh

irey

W

H

31

01

6

1

4

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t Sh

ouca

ir, A

. W

H

31

03

42

1

0

Shou

cair

, D.

SH

21

07

48

Shug

ars

WH

3

10

5

67

Shur

r, T

. SH

2

10

9

29

Sieg

el

BH

11

09

3

5

19

Si

galo

w

SS

21

18

1

3

16

Si

ms,

A.

BS

11

06

2

5

Si

ms,

G.

SH

21

11

1

0

7

Skin

ner

BH

10

41

32

Smal

lwoo

d BS

1

01

0

68

Smit

h BH

1

11

1

31

Snod

gras

s SS

2

12

0

60

Soto

W

S 3

07

2

22

Spin

a W

H

31

07

6

3

St

arge

l SS

2

12

2

3

6

Sten

ger

SH

21

13

3

1

St

iekm

an, A

. W

S 3

07

4 1

9

St

iekm

an, J

. SS

2

12

4 2

3

Su

ddet

h, B

. BS

1

10

8

57

Sudd

eth,

T.

SS

21

26

7

9

Su

jdak

BH

1

11

3

33

2

4 Su

resh

BS

1

11

0

41

12

Su

ther

land

W

H

31

09

3

1

Sw

aans

SS

2

12

8

8

5

Taro

lla

SH

21

15

2

7

Ta

ylor

, A.

SH

21

17

5

8

Ta

ylor

, J.

SS

20

38

3

6

Th

eure

r W

H

31

11

44

Thom

as

SS

21

30

2

0

Ti

rney

W

S 3

07

6

16

3

To

we,

M.

BS

NB

63

Tow

e, R

. SH

2

11

9

7

17

Tr

aine

r W

H

31

13

7

6

Tr

ensk

i SH

2

12

1

2

8

Trop

ea

WH

3

11

5

60

Vir

avon

g SS

2

13

2

63

Vit

haya

thil

SS

21

34

30

Last

Nam

e

Bill

Seat

D

ocke

t V

ollm

er

SH

21

23

1

1

5

Von

Har

ten

SH

21

25

8

0

V

on

Stra

lend

orff

BS

1

11

2

10

Von

Hol

ten

BS

NB

7

V

yas

BH

11

15

3

4

War

e BH

1

11

7

62

Wat

son

WH

3

11

7

68

Wer

tz, C

. BH

1

11

9

48

W

ertz

, H.

WH

3

11

9

41

W

est

SS

20

82

2

9

8

Whi

tefi

eld

WH

3

12

1

57

Wid

rig

SH

21

27

1

8

2

Wilh

elm

BS

1

11

6

6

W

illis

, A.

WH

3

12

3

49

W

illis

, J.

BH

11

21

1

3

21

W

ilson

, J.

WH

3

12

5

9

W

ilson

, K.

SH

21

29

2

6

W

infr

ey, C

. W

S 3

07

8

29

Win

frey

, P.

WH

3

12

7

26

Wis

ehau

pt

BS

11

18

1

1

W

ohl

BS

11

20

6

4 2

2

Won

g SH

1

02

7

53

Yan

cey,

R.

BH

11

23

1

2

Y

ance

y, S

. SH

2

13

1

47

Y

oung

, Eri

. W

H

31

29

2

1

Y

oung

, Joe

. W

S 3

08

0

32

You

ng, K

en.

WH

3

13

1

53

Yu

WS

30

82

2

6

Zad

or

SH

21

33

8

1

Zam

bors

ky

WH

3

13

3

2

Zam

ora

WH

3

13

5

40

Zen

deja

s-Po

rtug

al

WH

3

13

7

33

1

1

Press Corps opens up the Cabinet

The specific re-

sponsibilities and

workings of the Execu-

tive Cabinet have

been kept in the dark

for most delegates.

The Press Corps had

the opportunity to

learn more about what

happens in this branch

during their confer-

ence with the Cabinet.

Most delegates do

not know how the

Cabinet decides what

topics will be on the

Legislative Agenda.

The agenda depends

on what each of the

departments wants to

focus on, and they

build it from there.

Directors of Legislative

Affairs are a new

branch this year and

were a popular discus-

sion topic.

“They are really

promoting a step in

the right direction,” Lt.

Governor Nishani

Karunamuni said

about the DLA’s.

The cabinet also

mentioned their inter-

est in West Central

Florida delegate, Chris

Campbell’s and Tampa

delegate, Savannah

Fredrickson’s joint res-

olutions and they can-

not wait for more bills

to reach their desk.

Attorney General Chelsea Probus answers a question during the Press Confer-

ence held on the 22nd Floor. Photo courtesy of Joanna Beazley.

BY KRISTA REINHARDT TAMPA DELEGATION & KAYLIE HOROWITZ

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA DELEGATION

Inside edition: the Press Corps

The Press Corps

has a sworn duty to be the informative and

communicative voice o f Y o u t h I n Government. We have

written countless articles explaining the

legislative process, u n v e i l i n g t h e mysteries of Judicial,

invest igat ing the Office of Legislative

Affairs. However, there

have been few that

reveal the inner workings of our very

own Press Corps. “The Press Corps is unique in comparison

to the other program areas because we

have the power to link all facets of the program. While our

program area is small, our message reaches

everyone,” explains Editor-in-Chief Haley O b e r h o f e r .

Indeed, being a member of the Press

Corps is an experience that will broaden

anyone’s horizons. We

are given the unique privilege of venturing

throughout the entire Capitol during our S t a t e A s s e mb l y

weekend, exploring the inner workings of

whatever branch we c h o o s e . Press delegates

investigate stories, write articles, take

pictures, and learn about every part of the program that they

can. During State Assembly, we divide

our time between running around the

Capitol and Supreme

Court buildings and typing away furiously

in the coveted Press b o x . “I thought it was

going to be more hectic, but I like it,

though I don’t know what’s coming next,” says first year Press

de lega te Soph ia U n s o n .

The Press Corps may not be the largest program branch in

size, but the effort put into each and every

publication more than makes up for that.

BY CAT SMITH ASSISTANT EDITOR

SOUTH COUNTY DELEGATION

FRIDAY LATE EDITION 22 FEBRUARY 2013

2 CAPITOL BRIEFINGS FRIDAY LATE EDITION 22 FEBRUARY 2013

Sullivan Senate Bill: Blood is blood

As debate heats up in chambers, plenty of

hot topics are being a d d r e s s e d a n d

debated, including Lindsey Brown’s bill about changing blood

donation policies to allow men who have

sex with men (MSM) to donate blood, which was first presented in

the Sullivan Senate. Currently, the FDA

does not allow these MSMs to donate blood

due to risk of it being

contaminated with HIV. However, when

this law was originally put into place, little was known about HIV

a n d A I D s a n d delegates now feel is

the time for that to c h a n g e . “The blood will be

just as safe as any other person’s,” said

Senator Peighton Jones. And it seems like it

will be. All blood that gets donated is tested

for HIV twice, so there would be a 1 in 1

billion chance of

hav ing a fa l s e n e g a t i v e .

Senator Colquitt asked “Why should we discriminate against

them if they will be tested anyway?” While

statistical results show that MSMs are more likely to carry HIV,

other groups are just as likely but they are

allowed to donate. “These men will still be asked if they’ve

travelled or if they’ve recently gotten tattoos

or piercings, but they will not be asked on

their application if they

have had sex with another man,” said

author Lindsey Brown. Not all delegates were on board with

t h i s l e g i s l a t i o n , however.

S e n a t o r Flasterstein asked “Do we have the right to

tell the Red Cross how to run their program?”

Debates in all chambers have gotten off to a fantastic start,

and everyone eagerly ant ic ipates what

comes next on the docket.

BY KAYLIE HOROWITZ STAFF

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA DELEGATION

Civil union joint resolution

A j o i n t resolution is a rare,

but intriguing form of passing a law at State

Assembly. Instead of including only the legislative branch,

jo int reso lut ions engage almost all

program areas in the process of its passage.

In the history of

State Assembly, a joint resolution has

never been passed all the way through.

However, this year, the chances of this happening are high. In

the William’s House

C h a m b e r t h i s

a f t e r n o o n , bill number

3029, with a u t h o r S a v a n n a h

Fredrickson of the Tampa

de legat ion, w i l l b e debated as

4th on the docket. If

passed, this joint resolution will go on to be debated in

the Williams Senate, and then proceed to

the Cabinet. But, unlike a bill, this joint

resolution will then go to the Supreme Court f o r r e v i e w t o

determine whether or

not it is constitutional.

T h i s r e s o l u t i o n

p r o p o s e s recogniz ing civil union,

the marriage b e t w e e n

s a m e - s e x couples, as receiving the

same rights a n d

responsibilities as married couples of

opposing gender.

Delegates are eager to hear all supporting or

opposing arguments. At time of press

bill 3029 was

passed in the House. It awaits

action by the Senate.

Follow this joint

resolution’s journey as Andria Barrios

takes a further look in the next Capitol Briefings.

BY ANDRIA BARRIOS STAFF

TAMPA DELEGATION

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HALEY OBERHOFER

ASSISTANT EDITORS ALI RENCKENS CAT SMITH

STAFF ANDRIA BARRIOS JOANNA BEAZLEY

LANCE HAMIC KAYLIE HOROWITZ DEVIN PATEL SOPHIA UNSON KRISTA REINHARDT

Photo courtesy of Cat Smith.

Campbell’s joint resolution goes to court

The 56th State

Assembly made Youth

In Government history. For the first time, a joint

resolution passed both the House and Senate

and went to the Supreme Court for a

constitutional ruling. Many of you may

have heard the buzz

going around about Chris Campbell’s

proposal to lower the age of being able to run

for governor from 30 to

21. However, many

delegates are not very

familiar with the

process this piece of

legislature will have to

go through at 2 p.m.

After it approached

the Cabinet, the Atty. General declared the

r e s o l u t i o n unconstitutional, and

now it awaits judgment from the Supreme

Court. “That’s just the

process that it goes

through,” said Senator C a m p b e l l .

Depending on how the Court decides to

rule this constitutional

amendment, the resolution will either

move to the governor’s

desk for passage or be stopped dead in Court. Campbell feels fairly confident about how

this afternoon’s events

will go. “I’m sure it would be

constitutional,” he said.

“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.”

Check out thepagenote.

blogspot.com for more!

BY KAYLIE HOROWITZ

STAFF

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

DELEGATION

Youth Advocates take Capitol by storm

Several present

and former Florida Y o u t h I n

G o v e r n m e n t

delegates were given

the opportunity to speak on behalf of the

YMCA during the 2012 Youth Advocacy Days.

Advocates were

able to further their

experiences in the

p r o g r a m b y

informing those in

attendance - of whom

were also Y leaders

from around the state -

about the YMCA’s

impact while also

getting the word out

about Florida YIG.

Williams Senate P res i den t A l ec

Polansky explains,

“Throughout the

Advocacy Days, we

were able to spread

the idea of Florida

Youth In Government

to the Y leaders.” In doing this, the

advocates were able to

assist the YMCA in their

campaign and quest for possible improvements.

By speaking for the Y, advocates

were ab le to

encounter valuable

knowledge. “Because social

responsibility is among the lessons

the YMCA teaches, I

think that, by

advocating for the Y, it allows us to

experience that lesson and reach out

to others as well,”

s a y s F o r m e r

Governor Glory

M c C l u r e .

Thanks to these

Youth Advocates,

the YMCA can look

f o r w a r d t o

encountering an

even brighter future!

BY SOPHIA UNSON

STAFF

SOUTH COUNTY

DELEGATION

Chris Campbell . Photo courtesy of Kaylie Horowitz

SATURDAY EDITION • 23 FEBRUARY 2013

2 CAPITOL BRIEFINGS CLOSING CEREMONIES EDITION 23 FEBRUARY 2013

Pages anticipate next year

While high school delegates make up most of the Youth In Government process, State Assembly is also host to a group of savvy middle schoolers who work behind the scenes to keep c o m m u n i c a t i o n flowing. This is also a way these aspiring students can experience State Assembly early, delivering handwritten notes from one seat in Chambers to another. All six pages will be work ing in the Williams Chambers, either in House or in Senate. “It’s a new experience for me and

I’m really excited,” Page Bradley Harwood o f t h e C ampo Delegation explains. Being a page has encouraged many who have not experienced YIG to become more active in it. Paging also inspires students to participate in the Senior YIG p r o g r a m , a n d ultimately makes YIG better as a whole. When asked why they enjoy being pages, the answers came freely. “We’re respected,” Harwood states. “ Y o u f e e l important. You can see how everything works, but don’t have to participate yet,” Carly Thornton of Broward County tells

us. Another page, Colin Pearson, of the Campo Camp-Cristina delegation enjoys coming to State Assembly in advance to see what he should be expecting when he comes back later as a high school delegate. “It’s better than getting here in high school and feeling c o m p l e t e l y overwhelmed because it’s your first time,” Page Abigail Harrison of Central Florida De legat ion says. Each page looks forward to a rewarding and insightful time at the 56th Annual State Assembly this year, and possibly Years of Service awards in the future.

BY ANDRIA BARRIOS

STAFF

TAMPA DELEGATION

Directors of Legislative Affairs

With a new year comes new changes to Youth In Government. The recently renamed group of lobbyists has now become the Office of Legislative Affairs. This year marked the pilot of this big change, and in Friday afternoon’s press con-ference, Youth Gover-nor Christina Wiley

stated that for many State Assemblies in the future, she would like to see “further im-plementation of the Directors of Legislative Affairs system,” start-ing with this State As-s e m b l y . The new Directors of Legislative Affairs still perform the same duties as lobbyists, but this system is more similar to the lobbying program in the actual govern-

ment . The program has been changed to the Office of Legisla-tive Affairs because it is an even more realis-tic experience in the p o l i t i c a l w o r l d . By doing this, says Gov. Wiley, it definite-ly brings “a new lob-bying area to legisla-ture.” Interested? Be sure to apply next pro-gram year in order to be considered for this program area.

BY JOANNA BEAZLEY STAFF

TREASURE COAST

FOR MORE STORIES: THEPAGENOTE. BLOGSPOT.COM

LOOK OUT FOR THE NEW FLORIDA YIG PIN, COMING SOON!

LIKE US @FLORIDAYIG HELP US GET 1300 LIKES!

WHAT’S NEXT? Y ADVOCACY DAYS 3/10-3/13 SERVANT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 4/19-4/21