Youth Leadership in Action
The Council at Work
Learn about the Minnesota Youth Council’s policy priorities and hear our legislative testimony.
MYC representatives organize young people at the 2020 Youth Day at the Capitol.
The Minnesota Youth Council in the House chamber on August 13, 2024.
MYC representatives demand to be heard at Youth Day at the Capitol in 2020.
MYC representatives advise Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan in December 2024.
MYC members hear testimony at the Capitol in 2020.
MYC representatives discuss their policy agenda at the 2025 the State of Youth press conference.
MYC representatives confer during their summer retreat in 2024.
MYC representatives organize young people at the 2020 Youth Day at the Capitol.
The Minnesota Youth Council in the House chamber on August 13, 2024.
MYC representatives demand to be heard at Youth Day at the Capitol in 2020.
MYC representatives advise Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan in December 2024.
MYC members hear testimony at the Capitol in 2020.
MYC representatives discuss their policy agenda at the 2025 the State of Youth press conference.
MYC representatives confer during their summer retreat in 2024.
2024–2026
Legislative Agenda
Legislative Agenda
This legislative session, the Council is advocating for:
- Empowering youth participation in local governance
- Promoting health and safety for youth through education and resources
- Enhancing student preparedness for careers through expanded educational opportunities
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Uplifting Youth Voices
- Enable youth voting in school board elections starting in 2026.
- Allow cities or school districts the option to individually decide on youth voting measures.
- Ensure all grades receive comprehensive school board information to promote awareness, engagement and improve civic education.
- Provide funding for the Minnesota Youth Council.
Uplifting Youth Voice Resources
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Career & Technical Education (CTE)
- Provide funding to ensure all schools offer a minimum of three CTE courses. Encourage schools/districts to partner with each other, community organizations, higher education institutions or businesses in meeting the requirements.
- Support transportation and resources for students to access cooperative education programs or schools offering CTE courses.
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Substance Abuse Prevention
- Provide funding for life skills training within community programs.
- Provide funding to expand free or low-cost school-based mental health resources.
- Require school districts to provide information about Naloxone/Narcan availability in schools.
- Ensure Fentanyl test strips are accessible in schools.
The Voice of Youth at the Capitol
Legislative Testimony
2025 Minnesota Legislative Session Testimony
- April 4, 2025 House Education Finance Committee: HF54 (Sencer-Mura) Grant authorized for Minnesota Youth Council activities, and money appropriated: MYC Representatives Julia Rosenman and Alex Hanks
- March 25, 2025 House Education Policy Committee: H.F.2372 (Mueller) Civic seal designation for high school students provided: MYC Representative Adonai Yidnekachew (testimony starts at 38:35)
- March 24, 2025 Senate Education Policy Committee: S.F. 1687 (Seeberger) High school students permission to posses opiate antagonists: MYC Representative Hasini Guntipalli (testimony starts at 1:30:36)
- February 26, 2025 Senate Education Finance Committee: Academic Acceleration Pilot Program establishment and appropriation: MYC Representatives Zohha Khan and Emmanuel Edebiri (testimony starts at 52:26)
“Cheers to the smart, motivated high school students who testified on behalf of Edina DFL Sen. Alice Mann’s bill to create a pilot program that would automatically enroll proficient students into more challenging courses. The aim is to expand access to accelerated college-level courses for low-income, disabled and minority students who are underrepresented in the advanced courses. Zohha Khan, a senior at the Math and Science Academy and member of the Minnesota Youth Council, said she’ll enter college as a junior because of the college credits she’s earned. She delivered an eloquent, informed and energetic call to help students overcome invisible barriers. “Across our state there are students sitting in classrooms right now who are more than ready for advanced placement but are never given the chance to take it. They don’t see their names on the APs or honors rosters, not because they lack the ability but because no one gave them the chance to try,” she said, citing statistics that show achieving from low-income backgrounds are less than half as likely to be placed in rigorous courses.”
-Star Tribune column by Rochelle Olson Cheers and jeers — leadership edition
- February 26, 2025 Senate Education Policy Committee: School Board Membership requirements modification: MYC Representatives Taylor O’Shea and Daniel Song (testimony begins at 1:37:10)
2024 Minnesota Legislative Session Testimony
During the 2024 legislative session, Minnesota Youth Council representatives testified before the House and Senate about improving health education standards, funding the Council, incorporating students’ voices in education policy, and regulating how school resource officers may interact with Minnesota students.
- March 14, 2024 House Education Policy Committee: Academic Standards in Health Education: MYC Representative Aila Brodd (testimony starts at 18:30)
- March 5, 2024 Senate Education Finance Committee: Minnesota Youth Council Funding: MYC Representative Arjun Kunhiraman (testimony starts at 1:24:45)
- February 19, 2024 Senate Education Policy Committee: Student Voices Day. MYC Representative Luka Jacobi-Khron (testimony starts at 1:34:20)
- February 12, 2024 House Education Policy Committee: HF3489 (Frazier) Modifying the grounds for the use of reasonable force in schools: MYC Representative Sarah Ragoonanan (testimony starts at 34:38) and Luka Jacobi-Khron
- February 14, 2024 Senate Education Policy Committee: SF3534 (Westlin) Use of reasonable force in schools grounds modification: MYC Representatives Taylor O’Shay and Maryjane Iteghete (testimony starts at 27:00)
Council Archives
Learn about the Council’s advocacy for Minnesota youth in past legislative sessions.
Dive Deeper
Learn about the Council’s advocacy for Minnesota youth in past legislative sessions.
