Assemblywoman Baker Announces Winner Of 'There Ought To Be A Law' Student Video Contest

News from the office of Assemblywoman Baker:

Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R-San Ramon) announced last week that Alexander Lee (Foothill High School), James Zeng (California High School), and Steven Yuan (Dougherty Valley High School) have been selected as the winners of the “There Ought To Be A Law” video contest, which was open to all high school students in the 16th Assembly District. As the contest winners, they will have the opportunity to join Baker at the State Capitol to draft the bill, introduce it in the California State Assembly, and receive recognition by the Assembly.

The group’s bill proposal focused on the need for mental health support in public schools. In their proposal, the group suggested providing districts with more support for mental health counselors as a solution to the problem.

“Congratulations to Alexander, James, and Steven for winning the ‘There Ought To Be A Law’ student video contest. I was impressed with the group’s proposal regarding the need for mental health counselors in our schools,” said Baker. “I look forward to hosting these students at the State Capitol as they give testimony for their bill in committee.”

SEE WINNING VIDEO HERE.

For this contest, students were asked to identify a problem impacting California that they believe requires a legislative solution, and to propose a bill idea to address the issue. In a short two- to five-minute video, contestants explained the problem that their bill addresses, how their bill would solve it, and evidence to support the need for their proposed legislation. Students were also encouraged to submit an optional essay component.

Within their video or optional essay, students were asked to address why the problem they identified should be solved by our state government rather than our local or federal government, the private sector, or non-profits, and how their proposed legislation will be paid for. Students were also reminded that their proposed law idea need not necessarily create a new program or regulation; rather, their idea could be to repeal, replace, or modify an existing law.

Assemblywoman Baker’s office selected three finalists, whose videos were added to the Assemblywoman’s YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ34bT5Zp5hOFwfnD9ef_EA). The public was given the opportunity to vote for their favorite video by clicking the YouTube “like” button on the video they wanted to have win. When the contest closed on December 17th, Alexander, James, and Steven’s video received the most “likes,” thus winning the contest.

Baker added, “Our ‘There Ought To Be A Law’ video contest received excellent submissions from high school students throughout Assembly District 16, and I would like to thank every student for sharing great ideas, creating informative videos, and thinking critically about legislative solutions.”

Baker represents the 16th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Alamo, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.