The Texas Freedom Network 2009 Legislative Academy arranges for young people to get firsthand experience in the public policy arena and with the Texas legislative process. It runs from January 12 through April 30, 2009 and is unpaid, although students can usually earn academic credit.

Texas Freedom Network (TFN) advances a mainstream agenda of religious freedom and individual liberties to counter the radical right. Academy members will receive firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, including lobbying and grassroots outreach. They will also be exposed to the important policy issues that confront state government.

Guest speakers will be invited to roundtable discussions with members of the Academy throughout the session. These speakers will include current and former elected officials, political consultants, university professors and state policy experts.

Interns are required to dedicate ten hours per week to the Academy. These hours include working at the Capitol, gaining direct experience with the legislative process in Texas, as well as doing grassroots outreach at the TFN headquarters. Interns are expected to attend the speaker sessions as well. Academy members must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program and be able to travel to and from TFN headquarters (in West Campus near UT and the Capitol). The Academy schedule will be designed around each individual intern’s class schedule. For more information, or to apply, call Judie, 512/322-0545. For more on the organization, visit http://www.tfn.org.