Frankfort, Kentucky40601 State Capitol,700CapitalAvenue L EGISLATIVE LRC

R Legislative ESEARCH Intern Program

C 2008 The 2006 Interns OMMISSION with First Lady Glenna Fletcher provides an opportunity for self-motivated, outgoing, and qualified college students Students will spend four months working with to gain an understanding of the legislative Legislative Research Commission staff and members of the General Assembly. They will be trained and process by actively participating in it. treated like actual employees of the LRC. Students are placed in areas that best utilize their personal interests and/or qualifications. These areas include the legislative committee staff, the director’s office, constituent services, and the public information office. The interns will receive a $1,000 monthly allowance (subject to all applicable taxes) and be responsible for their own housing, meals, and other expenses while in Frankfort. In the past, the legislative intern program has not only aided in LRC developing the talents of the interns, but has also helped give Legislative Senate President David Williams talk- direction to their ing with the 2004 Intern Class career goals. The interns make new friends and often develop professional contacts during the four-month Intern Program program. Photo by Rick McComb 2008

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION Frankfort, Kentucky House Senate Chamber Chamber Printed with state funds look into the General Assembly that few people are applications must be received by LRC from students afforded. Academic Work and campus coordinators before April 16, 2008. LRC Interns might be assigned to one of several Qualified instructors at LRC organize and oversee Several students will be chosen as finalists and committees. These include Health and Welfare, two courses for which academic credit is given. These will be invited to Frankfort for an interview with Legislative Judiciary, Labor and Industry, and Education, to courses consist of two weekly seminars that feature a panel of LRC staff. Up to 20 students will be Intern Program name a few. Therefore, students of all academic guest speakers with special expertise in governmental selected for the program and will be notified before backgrounds and interests can benefit from this or legislative matters. State government executives May 1, 2007. internship program. and policy-makers from the legislative, executive, 2008 and judicial branches are represented. The seminars Campus Coordinators are scheduled around the availability of the speakers Alice Lloyd College ...... Ms. Janet Johnson Constituent Services during the session. Asbury College ...... Dr. Robert Neff The Constituent Services Office handles constituent The first academic course, “The Kentucky Legislative LRC Director’s Office Bellarmine College ...... Dr. Aaron Hoffman matters by phone and mail. By doing this, the office Process,” deals with political dimensions of the The director of the Legislative Research Berea College ...... Dr. John Heryman staff assist legislators in responding to constituents General Assembly and the comprehensive process Commission has his own staff whose responsibility Brescia University ...... Dr. James Ahern who may have a complaint, request, or problem of establishing public policy. The second course, is to monitor and organize all activities within the Campbellsville University . . . .Mr. John E. Chowning communicating with a government entity. “Challenges of State Government,” examines state LRC. Centre College ...... Ms. Melinda Wilson This placement offers interns an excellent government as a whole, the role of various agencies, Cumberland College ...... Dr. Bruce Hicks An intern placed in this position will be opportunity to familiarize themselves with issues and how they work together. responsible for tracking the progress of bills and Eastern Kentucky University . . . Dr. Joe Gershtenson that affect the daily lives of average Kentuckians. Three hours of course credit are recommended for resolutions that specifically affect the General Georgetown College ...... Dr. John Dalager Essentially, these interns act as liaisons between each of the two seminars. In addition, nine hours of Assembly, the LRC, or that call for specialized Kentucky State University ...... Dr. E. Amadife lawmakers and the public and will deal with a wide academic credit are recommended for the intership Kentucky Wesleyan College ...... Dr. Bill Conroy studies. Other duties include assistance with number and variety of people daily. Many of those itself. Thus, a student’s own college or university Lindsey Wilson College ...... Dr. Michael Rogers incoming research requests, delivery of bills and people will be facing personal crises or will have may allow a total of 15 hours credit for the entire Midway College ...... Dr. William Brown information to members on the House or Senate strong opinions on certain issues. A constituent- program. Morehead State University ...... Dr. Greg Goldey floor, preparation of the Legislative Record, and services intern must be pleasant and helpful in all The LRC does not require that a student submit Murray State University ...... Dr. Farouk Umar other bill tracking and bill preparation duties. circumstances. a research paper. However, LRC staff are available Northern Kentucky University . . . . . Dr. Ryan Teten An intern assigned to the Director’s Office should to assist students who are required by their campus Pikeville College ...... Dr. L. Kay Hardesty have excellent organizational skills and an ability to professors to prepare a research paper analyzing some Spalding University ...... Dr. Richard Hudson work effectively under the pressure of deadlines. Public Information Office aspect of the General Assembly. Interns with an interest in journalism or political Thomas More College ...... Dr. James McNutt communication may be placed with LRC’s Public Transylvania University ...... Ms. Susan Rayer Committee Staff Assignments Information Office during the session. This placement Union College ...... Dr. Thomas J. McFarland An intern assigned to a committee staff will aid is different from the others in that it is less research- Application & Selection University of Kentucky ...... Ms. Esther Livingston professional staff members in the drafting and oriented and more communications-oriented. The 2008 program will run from January to early University of Louisville ...... Dr. Jason Gainous May 2008. It will include an orientation prior to Western Kentucky University ...... Dr. Scott Lasley tracking of bills, legal research, and preparation The information office is responsible for writing the opening of the 2008 session of the General for committee meetings. press releases, speeches, newspaper columns, and Assembly. Interns must register with their own college Interns are given a great deal of responsibility photo cutlines. It also has a photography section as or university and pay the normal tuition and fees Legislative Research Commission and the work they do helps prepare legislation well as radio and video services. required of a full-time student. The Kentucky Legislative Research Commission is that will affect the entire state. In addition, by An intern placed in Public Information will have To qualify for the program, a student must be at a 16-member committee, comprised of the majority working as assistants to committee staff, interns the rare opportunity of working on the Senate and least a junior by January 2008, have an overall grade- and minority leadership of the Kentucky Senate have an excellent opportunity to learn about the House floors during proceedings, as well as attending point average of 2.8 or better on a four-point scale, and House of Representatives. Under Chapter 7 legislative process, the legalities involved, and and helping arrange press conferences held by the of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, the Commission and have been active in campus activities. the issues confronting the General Assembly from legislators. This placement requires well-developed constitutes the administrative arm of the Kentucky experienced lawyers, analysts, and politicians. writing and communications skills. Journalism and Interested students attending college in Kentucky General Assembly. Its director serves as chief By developing working relationships with these communications majors are usually considered best should complete an application and return it to their administrative officer of the Legislative Branch. professionals, interns who work as assistants to campus coordinator, or send it directly to LRC if qualified. Generally, no more than two interns will For questions, contact: Sheila Mason, LRC Intern the campus coordinator prefers that they do so. All committee staff are given a behind-the-scenes be placed with Public Information. Coordinator, 1-502-564-8100.