Dear John,
At a time when dysfunction dominates the headlines, Layla Zaidane brought a different story to Fox News: one of courage, collaboration, and a generation reshaping what leadership looks like. |
Her message was clear — when young lawmakers have a seat at the table, they bring the optimism, urgency, and fresh ideas needed to rebuild trust in the American way.
The momentum is building. Take a look back at the stories, wins, and milestones from the past month: |
State by State, the Future is Taking Shape |
April brought a major milestone for the Future Caucus network as North Dakota became the 36th state to join the State Future Caucus Network. This moment isn’t just a new chapter — it’s a powerful signal that young leaders are reshaping the political landscape in their own states, with collaboration and vision at the forefront. At the launch event, co-chairs Representative Dawson Holle (R), Representative Jayme Davis (D), Senator Claire Cory (R), and Senator Ryan Braunberger (D) didn’t just form a caucus — they laid out a shared, bipartisan vision for North Dakota’s future, grounded in the belief that real progress happens when leaders put people over politics. |
AI is shaping every sector, from elections to education. That’s why Indiana Future Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Beau Baird (R) and Representative Maureen Bauer (D) hosted a session with Purdue University’s GRAIL Lab — bringing cutting-edge AI policy insights directly to their peers. |
From Topgolf to legislative planning, Mississippi Future Caucus Co-Chairs, Senator Rod Hickman (D) and Representative Jansen Owen (R), built community, strategy, and momentum throughout the session. |
Inspired by a workshop they participated in during Future Summit 2024, Representative Justin Fleming and Representative Tarik Khan brought The Dignity Index training back to their fellow Pennsylvania Future Caucus members. With a nearly evenly split legislature, this tool is helping leaders prioritize respect, reduce division, and work across the aisle more effectively. |
Build Leadership, Broaden Impact — Future Summit & 19th Collective Applications Are Open!
As the next generation of leaders takes charge, they have the opportunity to further hone their skills and broaden their impact through two of our flagship programs — Future Summit 2025 and the 19th Collective.
Designed to foster bipartisan collaboration, strengthen policy expertise, and empower leadership, these opportunities are intended to help young lawmakers develop the tools needed to succeed and retain leadership. |
As the nation’s largest bipartisan convening of state legislators, Future Summit is an opportunity for lawmakers to scale their leadership and build coalitions with like-minded young leaders across state and party lines.
It’s a launchpad for leaders who govern effectively and lead with vision, empathy, and results. |
Inspired by the legacy of the 19th Amendment, the 19th Collective was created to answer the call of young women legislators seeking deeper connections and a stronger sense of community in public service.
Through tailored workshops, discussions, and exclusive events, the 19th Collective supports the ongoing professional development of its members, helping them sharpen their leadership skills, deepen their policy expertise, and achieve long-term success. |
Watch: Layla Zaidane’s TEDx Talk
In her TEDx talk, released in March, Layla Zaidane asks a powerful question: what if the key to fixing our politics isn’t just electing the right leaders, but helping them thrive once they’re in office? |
Drawing from real-life stories of young lawmakers — including a dad juggling floor votes with fatherhood and a legislator rewriting campaign finance laws for working parents — Layla shines a light on the structural barriers that too often stand in the way of retaining talented leaders. With humor, heart, and a hopeful vision for the future, she makes the case for reimagining public service so that the next generation of leaders can deliver the results our communities deserve.
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In 2024, our network welcomed 131 new members from across the country and the political spectrum; we now serve 23% of all young state lawmakers in the U.S. The movement for effective governance is growing. These aren’t just statistics — they’re proof that a new model of leadership is working. Explore the full report to see what effective governance can look like when young leaders are given the opportunity to succeed. |
Innovation Fellowship: Deep Dives, Real Impact |
In March, our four Innovation Fellowship cohorts came together to engage in rich, expert-informed discussions on the defining policy issues of our time. These convenings are more than knowledge-sharing — they’re movement-building. They connect lawmakers with top researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders across the political spectrum, and give them the tools to translate learning into legislative impact. |
At the core of every democracy is the question of power. This cohort took a thoughtful look at the separation of powers, hearing from experts at both the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Center for American Progress. Experts and lawmakers considered issues of separation of powers at both the state and the federal level, answering questions about the relative power of the legislatures in which our Future Caucus members serve. The result? A deeper understanding of institutional trust and balance — key to designing resilient, responsive governance.
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Fellows engaged with important questions and concerns surrounding fines and fees, policing practices, and diversion programs in our criminal justice system. Thanks to voices and insights from the Institute for Justice and the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Support Bureau, Fellows came out of the meeting better equipped to consider how rethinking systems, through future-focused innovative policymaking, can better serve their communities.
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Discussing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) contamination, fellows dove deep into how science, economics, and public health intersect in a complex yet critical issue area. Experts from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and RAND offered perspectives on risks and opportunities for action in Fellows’ respective states. |
Fellows explored the future of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, focusing on how to improve health outcomes for our youngest citizens. With insights from experts at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and the National Conference of State Legislatures, lawmakers walked away with practical ideas for expanding coverage and reaching more families. |
Finding Strength in the Pivot |
Last month, members of the 19th Collective took a much-needed pause to reflect on progress, celebrate legislative wins, and hold space for honest conversation. |
In the midst of a fast-moving session, taking time to discuss pivots — both personal and professional — proved especially powerful.
Mallory Hagan, former Miss America and political advocate, joined for a fireside chat on navigating unexpected turns with resilience and clarity. Her story sparked meaningful dialogue around staying grounded in purpose, even when the path forward isn’t linear. The meeting closed with collective reflection and encouragement, a reminder that moments like these are essential for sustaining bold, generational leadership. |
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Must Reads
— “We strongly believe in Alaska that you have to work with one another and listen to people whose perspectives are different from your own,” Representative Löki Tobin (D-AK) shares how she leads with empathy. — For Rep. Dr. Megan Srinivas (D-IA), the connection between public health and public policy is personal — and urgent. As an infectious disease physician serving rural Iowa, she brings a public health perspective to the legislature.
— Senator Laura Wakim-Chapman (R-WV), a 2025-2026 Prenatal-to-Three Innovation Fellow, and Paris Hilton, one of our 2024 Generational Changemaker honorees, are coming together to protect minors in residential treatment facilities.
— On April 1st, the North Dakota Future Caucus launched “because it’s the right thing to do.” — After three months of traveling between ten different states, it’s clear that young lawmakers across America are transforming state politics, one conversation at a time. |
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Contact Us [email protected] Future Caucus
1701 Rhode Island Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States |
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