Fair and inclusive policy making is about creating laws that benefit everyone - not just a small group of people. When government leaders reflect the diversity of the people they serve, policies tend to be more equitable and responsive to the needs of all communities. This idea was reinforced in an interview with Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor, Burt Jones, who believes representation is essential to good governance.

Jones stated, "Who you put into office, it does matter." He went on, "I've said this many times, and I don't mind saying it on camera. The people who really need to be in politics are not in politics."

Jones explained that the best kind of policy making happens when leaders genuinely care about serving others. "People who have the mindset and the right intentions of putting policies forward that are meaningful to society aren’t in politics."

Without representatives who have the best interests of their constituents in mind, fair and inclusive policies, especially for minorities and underrepresented groups would not be possible.

Lieutenant Governor Jones also encouraged young people to stay engaged and pay attention to elections at all levels of government. Lieutenant Governor Jones concluded, "I always try to tell young people, you need to pay attention to who’s representing you. And that’s at every level because it is important."

Jones’s message about the importance of representation is echoed by former Georgia Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler, the first African American woman to hold her position. Butler believes that effective representation starts with a genuine commitment to serve others. She stated, "As I came into the Senate, I wanted us to be the best that we could be." She stressed how important it was to pay attention to those who represent you in government. "Focus on the people because that is who you are here to serve. Because you are here to serve, and I love serving."

Both leaders highlight a key truth: representation matters. When more voices and perspectives are included in government, policies become more inclusive, fair, and reflective of society as a whole. Research supports this connection - diverse legislative bodies are more likely to pass laws that address issues like healthcare, education, and social justice. 

As representation continues to grow, so does the potential for meaningful change. The future of fair and inclusive policy making depends on who steps up to lead - and who voters, especially young voters, choose to support.

As Lieutenant Governor Jones reminds youth, it’s worth asking: Who’s representing you in government? What work are they doing to help constituents and youth like you?