Applicants Sought for Senate Fellowship

College graduates interested in legislative careers may begin applying for 18 state Senate fellowships to be awarded next year, officials announced.

Participants in the California Senate Fellows program will work as full-time staffers for 11 months beginning in October, said Jan Smith, a district coordinator for state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley). Fellows will help lawmakers develop legislative proposals, research and analyze bills, and assist with constituent casework during the 2000-2001 legislative session, she said.

Fellows will also write news releases and speeches, Smith said.

“It gives them an insight into how government works, whether they are going to run for office or be a staff member,” Smith said.

Fellows are assigned to a senator’s staff and take part in academic seminars with legislators, staffers, journalists, lobbyists and officials. The program includes four weeks of orientation classes on state government, the legislative process and major policy issues.

Winners will receive a monthly stipend of $1,882, health and dental benefits and 12 graduate units from Cal State Sacramento. The state Senate and the Center for California Studies at Cal State Sacramento operate the fellowship program.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree by June. The application deadline is March 1.

In May, semifinalists will interview with a selection committee in Los Angeles or Sacramento, Smith said. Eighteen fellows are announced in May.

Applications are available through Wright’s office, 2345 Erringer Road, Suite 212, Simi Valley. For more information, call (805) 522-2920.