ATLANTA — Georgia gubernatorial hopeful Stacey Abrams is pledging to create a youth council in her first 100 days as governor if elected,
Abrams, one of two Democrats running for governor, said the council is designed to create a formal role for young voices in the executive branch.
“Georgia’s young people have a boundless capacity to succeed if we invest sufficiently in their outcomes,” said Abrams. “Youth have been on the frontlines of critical fights in our state – they are our civil rights leaders, our DREAMers, and our gun safety advocates."
Abrams said the council will be a diverse, representative body comprised of middle school and high school youth from across the state, and would be tasked with:
- Identifying key policy areas for youth civic engagement and policy input;
- Creating robust summer jobs programs that offer paid employment for Georgia’s youth, a key part of economic development and entrepreneurship;
- Conducting direct outreach to youth in their communities; and
- Hosting youth town halls across Georgia on current issues of interest.
Abrams said her governor’s office will:
- Train and mentor youth council members on policymaking, organizing, and public engagement;
- Guarantee youth appointments to the Georgia Children’s Cabinet;
- Hire a full-time dedicated staff person to administer the council, with a commitment that staff person is under the age of 25 at the time of hire;
- Secure technology options to reach youth across the state and allow them to broaden their impact; and
- Provide stipends and transportation funds for youth travel.
