Rep. Mike Mrowicki: Mr. Schubart, please learn about the Vermont State Youth Council

Dear Editor,

A VTDigger column by Bill Schubart laments that: “We don’t include our young people in our decision-making that affects their future. There’s no formal recognition that provides agency for the voices of our young.”

Schubart may be pleased to know about the Vermont State Youth Council.

From their website : “The Vermont State Youth Council is a diverse group of 28 Vermont youth from each county responsible for annually advising the Governor and the Vermont General Assembly on the policies that impact young persons today. The VSYC was established by H.293 ( Act 109: An act relating to creating the State Youth Council ), a bill signed into law by Governor Phil Scott on May 11, 2022.

“The VSYC and its five subcommittees (Climate Change, Education; Equity and Anti-Racism; Youth Mental Health; and Youth Voice)  meet monthly, may gather input from Vermont youth through surveys and polls, and may hold up to four public hearings annually in order to take testimony on issues affecting Vermont youths.”

As one of  the prime sponsors of the bill, along with Reps. Diane Lanphear and Kevin Christie, I can attest to how this bill originated with Vermont youth at a conference for youth organized by Vermont Afterschool.

Their lament was similar to yours.

They wanted their voices heard.

The youth worked hard to get this bill passed, with great patience and perseverance, as it took five years to convince our fellow lawmakers that the idea deserved to be in statute.

This year was the first that the Youth Council came to the Legislature to offer their report and suggestions, as well as meeting with the governor (which the statute requires).

Schubart rightly advocates for youth to have more voice and agency but misses out on some vital work being done already by our youth through the Vermont State Youth Council. I hope he can avail himself of learning what’s already happening for our youth.

Mike Mrowicki

Vermont State Representative

Windham-4 District, Putney and Dummerston

Read the story on VTDigger here: Rep. Mike Mrowicki: Mr. Schubart, please learn about the Vermont State Youth Council .