OLYMPIA – Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) encourages students in the 5th Legislative District to apply to serve as a page in the Washington State Senate during the 2020 legislative session.

The Washington State Legislature has one of the finest page programs in the country. Each year, hundreds of students from communities across the state spend a week taking part in the legislative process and observing the Legislature and other branches of state government in action.

The interactive learning experience includes classes focused on topics like budget writing and the lawmaking process, with pages ultimately creating their own bills in a mock committee setting. The educational experience is further bolstered by guest speakers.

Participants have the opportunity to work on the Senate floor and their maroon coats and credentials allow them access to all parts of the Capitol Campus.

Applications for participants in the page program are currently being accepted for the 2020 legislative session that begins Jan. 13. Applicants must be 14 to 16 years of age, have a parent/guardian’s permission and obtain a recommendation from a teacher and the applicant’s school principal.

Financial assistance is available to help offset the expense of traveling to and staying in Olympia for a five-day work week during the 60-day legislative session.

More information on the page program and how to apply is available on the Washington State Legislature’s website.