Mockingbird Elementary student Lily Kay is making a convincing case that students should run the government by proposing common-sense legislation that everyone can get behind.
On Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Lily’s Law, which allows fifth-graders to enter state parks for free.
Tonight I’m with Lily in Dallas.
I signed a law named after her that allows 5th graders to visit state parks for free.
She started a movement to help 5th graders see what they learned in Texas History in 4th grade.
Thanks to @MorganMeyerTX for his leadership on this.#txlege pic.twitter.com/cPDjozGy4k
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 30, 2020
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Why fifth-graders? Texas students learn state history in fourth grade, so the following year, they can apply what they’ve learned while visiting the parks for free.
Lily began her efforts last year by writing state Rep. Morgan Meyer, who helped her make her case in front of a House panel at the state Capitol in April.
“It was scary talking before the House panel, and sometimes I wasn’t sure how to answer their questions,” Lily told the Dallas ISD news service, The Hub. “But it’s also exciting because I know I’ve done something that could change a law and have a big impact on other kids.”