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Rural Care in Despair

Delegate Sofia Domingeuz-Trejo, a passionate representative for proposal No.1 and member of Texas Y&G State Affairs, ushers herself to the podium along with her a movement of change. Upon her opening statement, the young delegate revealed her meticulous preparation of the presented proposal and the various beneficial consequences once the bill is approved.

Ms. Dominguez-Trejo presents the proposal, stating, “There are few things one can do without their health, you can’t work, partake in the things that bring you joy, or sustain your family…Texas has the highest risks of rural hospital closure out of any other state in the nation,
and it also has the highest rural population of any other state in the nation”. Delegate Dominguez-Trejo continues to advocate passionately for the accessibility of healthcare and Medicaid for rural citizens, a growing population in Texas, and provides logistics of current treatment availability as well as demographic, “In 2022, the risk of rural hospital closure was found to be 26%, this is up 10% to one year prior, rural hospital closure was up 16%”.

Dominguez-Trejo’s plan includes a 3-pronged approach: first, expand Medicare and Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, allowing an expansion of total allotment for these hospitals, as well as increasing the total number of insured rural citizens. Secondly, a committee
that is open to average citizens, including donors, marketing people, etc., should be installed to promote discussion of the importance of rural hospitals. Lastly, expand telehealth access, “the use of communications technologies to provide health care at a distance,” as defined by the National Institute of
Biomedical Imagining and Bioengineering (NIBIB) across the state.

Following the young delegate’s opening statements, Dominguez-Trejo effortlessly reciprocates fellow peers’ questions. Delegate Germany Herrera inquires, “You mentioned in your proposal of action this would increase the total allotment for hospitals. What is the current allotment?… You also mentioned, in your proposal, the implementation of telehealth, and considering telehealth can sometimes come with barriers because of the online aspect, how will your proposal combat this?”. Dominguez then provides an estimated bracket of the allotment being approximately 5-7 hundred million dollars and would increase from the estimate in the following years. The young delegate answers Herrera’s second inquiry by explaining Congress’ push to expand internet access to all residents of Texas. Ms. Dominguez-Trejo concludes her proposal by reiterating the significance of establishing Medicare and Medicaid for rural citizens, addressing con statements questioning the financial effects of her proposal. The young delegate states, “…I had many [con speakers] explaining that Medicare would be too much of a burden and did not work. However, I know people who receive all of their healthcare from Medicare and Medicaid. I see what it does for them”. The young delegate persists, “For people in the lower socioeconomic bracket…this is the only way for them to receive healthcare…And anything that impacts and helps people go by is good”. Finalizing her conclusion, delegate Dominguez-Trejo left the decision for an improved healthcare system across rural areas of In the hands of her peers and nearly the entire auditorium, Texas voted in favor of the proposal. This young woman is bringing change to poor rural healthcare systems in Texas, one proposal at a time.

Written by: Amina Omar Ahmed

Texas Youth and Government State Conference

By Gael Realivazquez

The Youth and Government program has a series of competitions, starting with District.

District is right before State, and seeing if you make it past District, you get to compete against some of the best teams in the state at the State Conference.

Once you make it to state, for this year’s delegates, State Conference is held at the Kalahari Resort, an African themed waterpark with an arcade and many places to eat, as well as two Starbucks locations. However, this is still not an easy process to get through. There is still competition at the state conference, too. You are going against the best teams and even have a chance to make it to the Conference on National Affairs, or CONA.

Life of Legislative

By Mia Godoy

TRUE MEANING OF LEGISLATIVE

The life behind legislative is simple, debating bills, writing bills, presenting bills and participating in a legislative body. But people don’t see the real meaning behind Legislative. Getting true words from Vennela Mallampati, the current youth governor. She has given us a small speech of what the true meaning of legislative really is.

“The true meaning of Legislative is just simply being able to participate in a democracy because over there it doesn’t really matter who you are. For example, how tall you are, which district you are from. It doesn’t matter where you come from because your vote matters the exact same as everybody else’s vote and your voice has the same exact power. So, I think Legislative to me is just knowing that you have the power of making a difference and getting to exercise that power”

Legislative has a different meaning to everyone, but for Mallampati it means that anyone can make a difference and also have a word in anything they say.

THE PROCESS OF LEGISLATION

The process of legislation is very long but it all leads to great outcomes.

Here at Youth and Government, you can practice legislation with a similar process as the real thing. At Youth and Government, you get to compete statewide with different districts.

“At the State Conference, all bills are heard first in a committee, and some bills then advance to be heard again by a larger audience in the house and/or senate chambers. Bills that pass both chambers are sent to the youth governor for their consideration.” As seen on the Youth and Government website.

“First, a representative sponsors a bill, the bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. If the Senate makes changes, the bill must return to the house for concurrence. The resulting bill returns to the house and senate for final approval.” states Kneating House Government

These two sources exemplify how similar youth and government is to the real thing. Youth and Government gives you amazing opportunities, just as legislation does giving you simulations to real life occurrences.

Who’s Your Governor?

By: Amarys Rodriguez

It’s that time of year again, the Youth and Government State Conference is in full session! As we all gather together again in the deep heart and soul of Texas (which is obviously Kalahari Resort & Hotel), we all have a brief moment of clarity where we sit and wonder: who am I voting for this year? The opening ceremony provides delegates an insight into the platform and integrity of the governor candidate they choose to vote for. Each candidate holds a responsibility to campaign and encourage delegates to vote while keeping the YG experience as educational and meaningful as possible. As day one of the State Conference comes to an end and as delegates cast their ballots for the 78th Youth Governor, we are all wondering the same thing: who’s going to win? Many delegates choose a governor who either aligns with their own goals and values, has made persuasive strides at winning their vote, or are simply happy to support candidates from their district. Madilyn Garcia, a Trial Court delegate from District 7 plans to vote for candidate Preston Lee, stating “I’m voting for Lee, because his message really stuck with me, and a vote for Lee is a vote for me”. During the opening ceremony, candidate Lee emphasized his slogan, promising that he would strive for representation and connection among districts. The catchy slogan seems to ring in the minds of many delegates, who agreed that “A vote for Lee is a vote for me.” Yet, according to many delegates, Lee is not the only gubernatorial candidate who has a catchy slogan. Candidate Joey Mcguire, whose motto is “Rise higher with Mcguire.”, stuck with many delegates like Bailey Watrach from District 7, who believes “We can do more together with Mcguire”, and Omi Joshi, a Legislative delegate from District 3, who believes Mcguire “is the best possible candidate that we have this year.” Delegates also have multiple opportunities to speak with candidates one-on-one to discuss their platforms.

Alana Arteaga, a judicial delegate from District 5, emphasized how she resonates with candidate Lee’s idea of having mini scrimmages and mini competitions that lead up to state, “because it allows teams who have never done Mock Trial to participate and to grow, and it gives us more opportunities to meet new people.” A key experience of Youth and Government is talking to complete strangers, and talking to Youth Governor candidates is not exempt from that. While awkward at times, speaking to candidates is the easiest and most engaging way to understand who is the best fit for you. So the next time you see a potential Youth Governor circling the capitol, make sure to stop by, say hi, and ask them “Why should I vote for you.”

Maddie Garcia’s Journey through Judicial YG

By Tyler Tran
Maddie Garcia’s journey to becoming a lawyer started a very young age. Her decision to join mock trial in Youth and Government has given her a hands-on experience before heading to a University to further her education. Through the image (shown to the right) we go into Maddie’s journey in joining Youth and Government and ultimately overcoming challenges that has shaped her development. “Joining mock trial was my way of gaining practical experience before college. The workload has been heavy but in the end the knowledge I gain is so worth it.”, shared by Garcia. She then goes on to explain how Youth and Government is her second family in a sense that they all work together and have each other’s back. “The team is like my family. Spending extensive time together creates positive bonds. We faced challenges, including team drama where one member was disqualified due to conflict with another member, but the hard work of the team pushed us to the District Court at state competitions, Garcia emphasizes. Finally, she went on to elaborate on her greatest achievements with Youth and Government which includes winning a Mock Trial session. “In my debut year winning our first trial was a stand-out moment. It was not only memorable and fun but also served as a motivation to stay in Mock Trial for the following years. Garcia’s Journey through mock trial has been a life-changing one. She not only went through many obstacles before success but also utilized Youth and Government to its fullest extent to navigate life. As she continues to overcome these challenges, the Mock Trial and Youth Government experience was definitely a time she will never forget. The path to becoming a lawyer is far from over, but with her work ethic, she will crush any difficulties in life.


Sources: 1st Maddie Garcia of the Judical Branch 2nd “Judicial.” YMCA Texas Youth and Government, 31 Aug. 2023, ymcatexasyg.org/judicial/.

State Capitol: Youth and Government

By Krrish Mohammed

Youth and Government has been here for a long time. It was started in 1936 and has been a growing organization. It helps the future generations to become critical thinkers and helps deal with future problems they face in their lives. Youth and Government is about the youth being involved in government and politics. The State Capitol is a good example to show and participate for state, this place has a lot of history and people with different stories. The youth may get inspired and influenced by this place filled with rich history. Many students say how their experience was good, the opening is filled with heartwarming speeches about how great this club/organization is. Frank Reichert and Murray Print, who wrote an article about high school students and government and civics, state that the students’ participation in government shows a higher chance of them participating in other activities and interactions with more people. Laura Perna, who also wrote an article about students and government, states how the being involved in the government encourages participation and maximize benefits to individuals and society. As shown, Youth and Government has a lot of benefits, and as a participant here, I say this club has helped me a lot. Our world run on government and politics, without
these ideologies our world would be in chaos and unstable ruling system. My concluding remarks are to consider join this amazing club.

Sources:
Reichert, F., & Print, M. (2018). Civic Participation of High School Students: The Effect of Civic Learning in
School. Educational Review, 70(3), 318–341.
Perna, L., Orosz, K., Jumakulov, Z., Kishkentayeva, M., & Ashirbekov, A. (2015). Understanding the
programmatic and contextual forces that influence participation in a government-sponsored
international student-mobility program. Higher Education (00181560), 69(2), 173–188.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-014-9767-4

Volunteering at the YMCA: Tylen Blades

By Andrea Jimenez

Students in youth government immerse themselves in debate issues affecting citizens in their state, propose legislation, and engage in other civic discussions through the YMCA. The YMCA has the help of many volunteers that help make this possible. Tylen Blades, a YMCA volunteer of seven years, shares his experience of his first year of volunteering with Youth and Government.


After being asked why he volunteered this year, Mr. Blades responded with “My desire to explore the options that the YMCA has to offer.” After praising the talent of the members in all branches in the program, he expresses how eye opening his experience with the program has been. As a Youth and Government volunteer, Mr. Blades ensures that students arrive safely at their destinations, have all their required supplies, while he is there for any questions that may arise. He was then asked what his favorite part of being a volunteer was so far. Mr. Blades revealed that he works in youth development, which is something that he sees in a program like Youth and Government. He describes how Youth and Government pushes teens to go out of their comfort zone and try new things, and more specifically things that “Branch off topics that they are already interested in.” These delegates have the opportunity to connect with others and expand their knowledge through the various opportunities that Youth and Government provides.

Getting to Know Delegate Grace Hargrave

By: Lynette Huang

Grace Hargrave, a Senior at First Baptist Christian Academy, is a vibrant individual with a
passion for reading, playing instruments, cooking, traveling, and delving into history. This year
marked her debut in both mock trials and youth and government, sparked by the inspiration
drawn from her best friend’s years of participation in Youth and Government trials. Hesitant but
intrigued, Grace decided to give it a shot, motivated by the captivating nature of the trials. “I saw
how interesting it was, so I decided to see how I would like it,” she shared. As a first-year
participant, Grace assumed the role of a defense attorney for Alex Greene. The weight of her
questions became pivotal in determining the fate of the case, and she approached her
responsibilities with a mix of excitement and nerves. Reflecting on her journey in youth and
government, Grace recounted her best memory, highlighting the engaging debates over intricate
case details. “Getting into debates over how the gun was facing, who was correct, and other facts
in the case. Going over those details has been extremely interesting,” she recalled with
enthusiasm. One aspect she cherishes about the trial experience is its grounding in real-life
situations. Grace appreciates the opportunity to evaluate and consider how her generation can
enhance their responses and decisions in matters of democracy. Expressing her enthusiasm for
this year’s trial case, she finds excitement in witnessing the final verdict. Grace’s journey in Mock
Trial and Youth and Government not only showcases her diverse interests but also underscores the
value she places on understanding real-world scenarios and contributing to the growth and
improvement of democratic processes for the next generation. If she had another chance to attend
youth and government, then she would do this all over again. She regrets not participating in this
program earlier in her high school career.

YG Overview

By Gael Realivasquez

The Texas Youth Government program replicates a real trial court and invents real tragic events that happen. To make this program more similar to real life they have the House, Senate, lobbyists, Judicial, and Media. All of these play a major role in how the world works today. The House is made up of 435 members and it is divided among the 50 states. The house is one out of two chambers. How the House works is by voting representatives in the house fixed by law at no more than 435 proportional representation in 50 states. The Senate is the other chamber. They have the power to vote, write bills, voice concerns about a veto, unanimous consent, amendments, voting, nomination, and resolution. Basically, the power of voting and representation. Lobbyists talk with a group of lawmakers, including members of congress. They mostly talk about how lawmakers write or vote on legislation related to issues. The Judiciary decides on the constitution of the federal law and resolves the dispute about federal law. Usually every branch has an equal amount of power bit, the judicial have the final say on overturning a ruling by other branches. They can rule for or against an action or laws. Media section is one the most important parts of all. They give all the information out and give different points of view, give you a story and show pictures. They make everything  more alive and tell the world what is going on. The Texas Youth Government is the best program if you are interested in something like that. You can also be a lawyer, judge, witness, the victim and play as a real courtroom, you make your own bill and see if you can get passed. Run for government and many other things. Join Youth and Government to learn more about the world.

Kenneth Pham Story

The YMCA Youth and Government (YG) program provides the new generation with an enriching and hands-on activity that promotes civic engagement within the political state of contemporary society. Although YG is broken down into four different sections, in my opinion, the legislative branch is one of the most beneficial sections for students looking to improve their overall understanding of how bills are written into law. The legislative branch is broken up into two groups, the House of Representatives, and the Senate; however, I will be specifically focusing on members of the House, in which most legislative delegates will be debating. Within the House, many procedures carried out by these committees reflect the actualities of modern government. For example, YG legislative practices consists of submitted bills by its members in which fellow delegates will debate during the question-and-answer, amendment, and proponent opponent periods. These processes closely follow the responsibilities of legislators in positions of government which will be beneficial because it keeps the youth informed on societal issues and how they can use their own voice to advocate for what they believe is right. For instance, one bill advocating for a ban on the purchase of electrical vehicles as it damages the Texas power grids, especially in times of harsh weather. “I like how Youth and Government addresses a variety of issues and continues to keep the youth educated on how laws are implemented within their communities,” said Kyle Villinueva, YG House of Representatives delegate. It is especially important that the younger generation continues to stay informed on current issues within their community and that they are comfortable in standing up for their beliefs through proposing legislature and voting for the favorable passage of them. The legislative branch, specifically the House of Representatives, is a crucial section of the Youth and Government program as it mirrors how bills eventually evolve into law. Younger generations are the future of our society and it is crucial that they are educated and are aware of the functions within their government.

Sources: – Bill Book –

Interview with Kyle Villinueva

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