CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Almost 400 state residents are talking policy this week at the State Capitol during the 2nd Annual Our Children, Our Future Policy Symposium.
“Our goal is to get West Virginians from all across the state engaged in political decision-making,” said Stephanie Tyree, director of community engagement and policy for the West Virginia Community Development Hub.
“We think that the way to have change happen in West Virginia is by getting people’s voices to the Capitol to let our lawmakers know about what matters in communities around the state and to really hear solutions from the people who elect them.”
In all, the participants in what was dubbed “A True Citizen Legislature” presented 22 different proposals to legislators on issues ranging from curbing child sex abuse to addressing meth usage to expanding the availability of farmers’ markets.
In the past, Tyree said the group has successfully lobbied for raising the minimum wage, restoring budget cuts to children’s programs, establishing the Future Fund, expanding Medicaid and adding to the school breakfast and lunch programs.
“We have community groups, advocates and families look at the problems that are facing them in their own communities and they bring solutions to us to help a build a team and work on them during this session,” she said on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
After policy workshops on Tuesday, the Our Children, Our Future Policy Symposium will wrap up on Wednesday with participants taking to the floor of the state House of Delegates to give speeches about the issues that matter the most to them.
In the coming weeks, participants will be launching a voter turnout initiative called Our Vote, Our Future leading up to the Nov. 4 general election.