Michael Barker

Tenth grader Michael Barker was impressed with all the state-of-the-art computer equipment throughout his school district in northern Louisiana. But it seemed that "computers were appearing out of thin air" and he thought there might be ways to save money on certain technology and make smarter purchases. Over a year ago, Michael sent his first letter to the LaSalle Parish School Board requesting records about these expenditures with the idea of reviewing the information and then making recommendations. No response was forthcoming. He fired off two more letters and then went in person to the school board office. Finally, his fourth letter elicited a reply from the school superintendent last November that claimed the records were off-limits because he was "under the age of majority."
...
Michael called and the Baton Rouge resident made the 2-hour drive to the LaSalle Parish School Board and only with the help of an attorney, obtained some records.

The fact that minors were denied access caused Michael to pursue changing the law. He thought that high school newspaper journalists, for example, should have the opportunity to seek this sort of information. His initial connections led him to the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council.
...
Michael happened to know the legislative assistant from church and stopped by the office to see her. Days later, he showed Rep.
...
What really clinched the legislator's interest was the sentence in the superintendent's letter to Michael that read "you are not entitled to these records," and any further questions should be directed to the school board's attorney.

Every couple of days Michael called or e-mailed the legislative assistant and two weeks later, Rep.
...
Michael made his first trip to the State Legislature in Baton Rouge and testified before the House and Governmental Affairs Committee. He brought copies of his letters to the superintendent and in his short statement described how the school board ignored his requests for months, and then added this appropriate indictment:
...
Michael downloaded free-of-charge the Legislator's Handbook, written for newly elected Louisiana lawmakers and realized that he needed to keep pressing for action. As soon as the proposal emerged from the committee, he asked Rep.
...
Michael made another trip to Baton Rouge to give the same testimony before the Senate committee with authority over government sunshine laws and again won praise for his lobbying effort. The bill received another unanimous vote.

While watching the Senate Floor proceedings on the Internet, Michael noticed a parliamentary maneuver that took House Bill 492 off the calendar, which often means the opposition is throwing up a blockade. Michael learned through the grapevine that his own state senator had a personal vendetta against Rep.
...
Michael called a reporter at the Capitol News Bureau with whom he spoke a few weeks earlier when he testified. The 17-year-old wisely thought that the journalist could extract information about why the senator was blocking the bill and a subsequent newspaper article revealed the animosity between the two legislators. The media spotlight caused the senator to relent. In the final days before the legislature adjourned, another senator and strong supporter of public records agreed to manage the bill on the Senate Floor. The bill passed with only one nay vote.

On July 21, Michael Barker made a third trip to the state capitol to be present when Governor Kathleen Blanco signed House Bill 429.
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Michael doesn't mince words: "Our state has a terrible reputation of being corrupt. I went against some of the most politically powerful people in the parish and I'm proud of what I was able to do. He hopes his legislative odyssey will inspire others-especially students-to fight for whatever needs fixing or seems unjust. Michael is eager to share his experience and can be reached at via e-mail at Michael@michaelwbarker.com or by contacting me at 1-800-KID-POWER or wendy@youthactivism.com.

His campaign proves just how crucial it is to build a case, connect with advocacy groups, cultivate inside allies, anticipate potential roadblocks, capture the attention of the news media and above all, be persistent.

OUTSMARTING THE LEGISLATIVE OBSTACLE COURSE

Michael Barker's story proves that minors can make a major impact.

Tenth grader Michael Barker was impressed with all the state-of-the-art computer equipment throughout his school district in northern Louisiana.But it seemed that "computers were appearing out of thin air" and he thought there might be ways to save money on certain technology and make smarter purchases.Over a year ago, Michael sent his first letter to the LaSalle Parish School Board requesting records about these expenditures with the idea of reviewing the information and then making recommendations.No response was forthcoming.He fired off two more letters and then went in person to the school board office.Finally, his fourth letter elicited a reply from the school superintendent last November that claimed the records were off-limits because he was "under the age of majority."

This rebuff from school officials only strengthened Michael's resolve.What follows is a play-by-play of his remarkably successful campaign.His story brings to life the dry civics course of ,how a bill becomes a law.' I would wager that even professional lobbyists can pick up some clever moves from this student activist who had no prior advocacy experience.

STEP I: DOING THE DETECTIVE WORK

An Internet search identified a Louisiana coalition that promoted public access of government records as well as open meetings.This group suggested he contact a long-term activist who was passionate about this issue.Michael called and the Baton Rouge resident made the 2-hour drive to the LaSalle Parish School Board and only with the help of an attorney, obtained some records.

The fact that minors were denied access caused Michael to pursue changing the law.He thought that high school newspaper journalists, for example, should have the opportunity to seek this sort of information.His initial connections led him to the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council.
...
Michael happened to know the legislative assistant from church and stopped by the office to see her.Days later, he showed Rep.
...
What really clinched the legislator's interest was the sentence in the superintendent's letter to Michael that read "you are not entitled to these records," and any further questions should be directed to the school board's attorney.

Every couple of days Michael called or e-mailed the legislative assistant and two weeks later, Rep.
...
Michael made his first trip to the State Legislature in Baton Rouge and testified before the House and Governmental Affairs Committee.He brought copies of his letters to the superintendent and in his short statement described how the school board ignored his requests for months, and then added this appropriate indictment:
...
Michael downloaded free-of-charge the Legislator's Handbook, written for newly elected Louisiana lawmakers and realized that he needed to keep pressing for action.As soon as the proposal emerged from the committee, he asked Rep.
...
Michael made another trip to Baton Rouge to give the same testimony before the Senate committee with authority over government sunshine laws and again won praise for his lobbying effort.The bill received another unanimous vote.

While watching the Senate Floor proceedings on the Internet, Michael noticed a parliamentary maneuver that took House Bill 492 off the calendar, which often means the opposition is throwing up a blockade.Michael learned through the grapevine that his own state senator had a personal vendetta against Rep.
...
Michael called a reporter at the Capitol News Bureau with whom he spoke a few weeks earlier when he testified.
...
On July 21, Michael Barker made a third trip to the state capitol to be present when Governor Kathleen Blanco signed House Bill 429.
...
Michael doesn't mince words: "Our state has a terrible reputation of being corrupt.I went against some of the most politically powerful people in the parish and I'm proud of what I was able to do."He hopes his legislative odyssey will inspire others,especially students,to fight for whatever needs fixing or seems unjust.Michael is eager to share his experience and can be reached at via e-mail at Michael@michaelwbarker.com or by contacting me at 1-800-KID-POWER or wendy@youthactivism.com.

His campaign proves just how crucial it is to build a case, connect with advocacy groups, cultivate inside allies, anticipate potential roadblocks, capture the attention of the news media and above all, be persistent.

OUTSMARTING THE LEGISLATIVE OBSTACLE COURSE

Michael Barker's story proves that minors can make a major impact.

Tenth grader Michael Barker was impressed with all the state-of-the-art computer equipment throughout his school district in northern Louisiana.But it seemed that "computers were appearing out of thin air" and he thought there might be ways to save money on certain technology and make smarter purchases.Over a year ago, Michael sent his first letter to the LaSalle Parish School Board requesting records about these expenditures with the idea of reviewing the information and then making recommendations.No response was forthcoming.He fired off two more letters and then went in person to the school board office.Finally, his fourth letter elicited a reply from the school superintendent last November that claimed the records were off-limits because he was "under the age of majority."

This rebuff from school officials only strengthened Michael's resolve.What follows is a play-by-play of his remarkably successful campaign.His story brings to life the dry civics course of 'how a bill becomes a law.' I would wager that even professional lobbyists can pick up some clever moves from this student activist who had no prior advocacy experience.

STEP I: DOING THE DETECTIVE WORK

An Internet search identified a Louisiana coalition that promoted public access of government records as well as open meetings.This group suggested he contact a long-term activist who was passionate about this issue.Michael called and the Baton Rouge resident made the 2-hour drive to the LaSalle Parish School Board and only with the help of an attorney, obtained some records.

The fact that minors were denied access caused Michael to pursue changing the law.He thought that high school newspaper journalists, for example, should have the opportunity to seek this sort of information.His initial connections led him to the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council.
...
Michael happened to know the legislative assistant from church and stopped by the office to see her.Days later, he showed Rep.
...
What really clinched the legislator's interest was the sentence in the superintendent's letter to Michael that read "you are not entitled to these records," and any further questions should be directed to the school board's attorney.

Every couple of days Michael called or e-mailed the legislative assistant and two weeks later, Rep.
...
Michael made his first trip to the State Legislature in Baton Rouge and testified before the House and Governmental Affairs Committee.He brought copies of his letters to the superintendent and in his short statement described how the school board ignored his requests for months, and then added this appropriate indictment:
...
Michael downloaded free-of-charge the Legislator's Handbook, written for newly elected Louisiana lawmakers and realized that he needed to keep pressing for action.As soon as the proposal emerged from the committee, he asked Rep.
...
Michael made another trip to Baton Rouge to give the same testimony before the Senate committee with authority over government sunshine laws and again won praise for his lobbying effort.The bill received another unanimous vote.

While watching the Senate Floor proceedings on the Internet, Michael noticed a parliamentary maneuver that took House Bill 492 off the calendar, which often means the opposition is throwing up a blockade.Michael learned through the grapevine that his own state senator had a personal vendetta against Rep.
...
Michael called a reporter at the Capitol News Bureau with whom he spoke a few weeks earlier when he testified.
...
On July 21, Michael Barker made a third trip to the state capitol to be present when Governor Kathleen Blanco signed House Bill 429.
...
Michael doesn't mince words: "Our state has a terrible reputation of being corrupt.I went against some of the most politically powerful people in the parish and I'm proud of what I was able to do."He hopes his legislative odyssey will inspire others-especially students-to fight for whatever needs fixing or seems unjust.Michael is eager to share his experience and can be reached at via e-mail at Michael@michaelwbarker.com or by contacting me at 1-800-KID-POWER or wendy@youthactivism.com.

His campaign proves just how crucial it is to build a case, connect with advocacy groups, cultivate inside allies, anticipate potential roadblocks, capture the attention of the news media and above all, be persistent.