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Latest News

Mixed News for Oct. State Unemployment Numbers. More

NCSL's Twitter Lists Now Available to Our Followers. More

Capitol Ideas: Story Ideas for Statehouse Reporters. More

 

 

 

NCSL News Team

Michelle BlackstonMichelle Blackston
Media and Public Affairs, Director
D.C. Office
Phone: 202-624-8667
Cell: 202-413-0534
Fax: 202-737-1069

Meagan DorschMeagan Dorsch
Media and Public Affairs, Manager
Denver Office
Phone: 303-856-1412
Cell: 720-381-7611
Fax: 303-364-7800

 

  
New NCSL Reports

Mixed News for Oct. State Unemployment Figures

Twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C., showed small increases, while the rate in 13 states and Puerto Rico declined. The rates in eight states remained steady. Read NCSL Press Release

Resources for States to Help Alleviate Hunger

When reports indicate one child in four does not have enough food, state legislators want to know what they can do to ensure no child goes hungry. Forty-nine million people struggled last year to get enough to eat, according to new report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There are a host of state and federal solutions to help alleviate the increased need for food and NSCL's policy analyst Lee Posey discusses a few of these actions in a video interview. More

 
State-Federal

Check here for NCSL’s positions on a variety of issues affecting shared state and federal issues.
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Press Room Overview

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The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

NCSL's media and public affairs office provides assistance to members of the news media on state legislation and legislative activity across a broad spectrum of issue areas. Public Affairs staff are located in the Denver and Washington, D.C., offices to assist the media's needs on deadline. Reporters can reach policy analysts for comment through the media and public affairs office. NCSL sends breaking news alerts and other updates to a listserv of interested subscribers. To receive regular updates, send an e-mail to press-room@ncsl.org. Reporters also can follow NCSL on Facebook, Ning and Twitter as well as listen to podcasts and read blog postings on The Thicket, NCSL's blog.

Media and public affairs staff also assist reporters who attend NCSL meetings. Credentialed news reporters can attend NCSL's three annual meetings -- Fall Forum, Spring Forum and Legislative Summit -- at no cost. Credentialed members of the media and bloggers covering the event must register with the media and public affairs office.

Capitol Ideas

NCSL's media and public affairs office releases a monthly list of story ideas with resources for state house reporters called Capitol Ideas. These tip sheets often reflect developing issues and trends in the states, along with recently published reports from NCSL's policy experts. As part of NCSL's role in fostering a strong state-federal partnership, Capitol Ideas also highlights federal legislation that affects states. To receive Capitol Ideas, send an e-mail to the press room.

News Announcements and Press Releases

NCSL stores electronic news announcements, multimedia clips and press releases on its archive page. To access archived previously released reports, please contact the press room.

 
Today's Quote

"If it's a procedural matter within the legislature, then if the legislator is no longer there, there would be a question whether the committee would still have standing to pursue anything. But if it rises to the level of a possible criminal violation, then I would think they would have the authority to pursue it even though he's no longer in office."

NCSL's Peggy Kerns speaking to the Virginian-Pilot regarding ethics policies in states.  

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Need an Expert?

 Contact us by e-mail or phone if you need an NCSL policy expert to provide comment for your story.

 
NCSL in the News

Lawmakers' trips hit amid revenue crunch
Meagan Dorsch, spokeswoman for the National Conference of State Legislatures, said attendance has dropped this year at the group's events. "Like many other organizations, we've been hit," Dorsch said. Clarion Ledger. More

Sid Leiken cited for unlawful personal use of campaign funds
Per the National Conference of State Legislatures,the federal government and nearly half of all states have laws prohibiting a legislator from hiring a relative. And, all 50 states have laws that either prohibit or suggest guidelines for conflict-of-interest situations, which may include nepotism restrictions depending on interpretation of the law. Blue Oregon. More

Legislators, not citizens, put pricey measures on the ballot
Only one other state has had more statewide initiatives than California, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures: Oregon leads with 349 initiatives on the ballot between 1898 and 2009, followed by California with 331. The Oakland Tribune. More

The links to the articles in GrassCatcher are provided for information purposes only. NCSL does not endorse the views expressed in any of the articles linked to from this page.

 

Denver Office
Tel: 303-364-7700 | Fax: 303-364-7800 | 7700 East First Place | Denver, CO 80230

 

Washington Office
Tel: 202-624-5400 | Fax: 202-737-1069 | 444 North Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 515 | Washington, D.C. 20001

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