California Senate Fellows

The California Senate Fellows program was established in 1973 to provide participants with insight into the legislative process. The program's primary goals include exposing people with diverse life experiences and backgrounds to the legislative process and providing research and other professional staff assistance to the Senate. The program is jointly sponsored by the California State Senate and the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State).

Previous Fellows

Famous Senate Fellows include California Board of Equalization members Betty T. Yee and Bill Leonard, Congressman Xavier Becerra, State Senator Dean Florez, and Assemblymembers Todd Spitzer, Jose Solorio. The members of the 2007-2008 Class of Fellows are: Aidan Ali-Sullivan, Rahsaan Anderson, Ritchard Engelhardt, Marievel Gomez, Madeline Hoe, Chantel Johnson, Andrew Laflamme, Alfredo Medina, Christopher Nguyen, Samuel Parsons, Anthony Sanchez, Greg Sperla, Durriya Syed, Jonathan Tran, Alexander Vassar, Courtney Voss, Kevin Walkow, and Jacqueline Wong-Hernandez.

Application Process

Eighteen 2007-2008 California Senate Fellows were selected to serve as full-time Senate staff for 11 months beginning October 22, 2007. Fellows will be assigned to Member and committee offices in early December and work as part of the public policy staff team in the Capitol. Responsibilities include helping develop legislative proposals, researching and analyzing bills, responding to constituent inquiries, and writing press releases and speeches.

Requirements

The only program prerequisites are a degree from a four-year college or university and being age 21 when the program commences. There is no preferred major. Individuals with advanced degrees and those in mid-career are encouraged to apply. Although no previous political or legislative experience is necessary, applicants should have a strong interest in public policy and politics. A five-week orientation provides background on state government, the legislative process, and major policy issues.

Benefits, Stipend

Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $1972 plus full health, vision and dental benefits. They also earn 12 units of graduate credit from the Sacramento State Government Department.

External links

* [http://www.csus.edu/calst/senate/index.html California Senate Fellows Program]
* [http://www.sen.ca.gov/ California State Senate]
* [http://www.electionvolunteer.com/race/SD Current State Senate Candidates]
* [http://capitolmuseum.ca.gov/english/legislature/history/ada_dates.html Past Senators]
* [http://www.legislature.ca.gov/legislators_and_districts/districts/senatedistricts.html Map of Senate Districts]
* [http://www.joincalifornia.com/page/8 California Legislative District Maps (1911-Present)]