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"Hi, I’m Kayla, I’m from Somerville and I’m sixteen. Basically my question for Deval
Patrick is what are your plans to work with the youth more. I feel like the youth don’t
really know much or tend to meet the politicians that are really involved in their community,
and they really don’t get a chance – or these opportunities – to meet with them.
I know that just a few weeks ago I just found out that I can actually come to the State
House whenever I want and nobody’s going to say anything. I can go in, and I can check
it out and talk to people, and I think a lot of youth would benefit from being able to
come and actually learn these different things and meet these very important people."
"Hi my name is Ron Bell, I’m the Director of Community Affairs for the Governor’s
Office and I just wanted to respond to your question, Kayla, about Governor Patrick working
with young people. As of last year, April 24th, Governor Patrick signed an executive
order to establish a state-wide Youth Council, which consisted of twenty-eight young people
from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, two per county, fourteen counties, and this youth
council is primarily responsible for developing policy and developing strategy to focus on
young people. So the Governor is indeed working with young people; this is our first year,
we’ve been – actually we’re preparing a report for young people and it’s interesting
that you mentioned that you didn’t realize that you could go into the State House. I
remember when I first came on a couple years ago how people were asking how much does it
cost to come into the State House. So you’re not alone. So what we’re trying to do, Kayla,
is to really make ways to make the State House more user-friendly, get the word out that
this is your House, as Governor Patrick always mentions, so you’re not alone and we need
you to help us spread the word that you can come into the State House and there are opportunities
and activities and initiatives for young people."