State Government/State-Federal Relations
Tuesday 3:15 p.m.
Mandates and Preemption: Where Are We Now?
The federalism struggle continues on three fronts: unfunded mandates, preemption of state authority in legislation, and preemption of state authority in regulations. Discuss recent state experiences in all three areas and learn what can be done to protect and enhance the role of the states as policy innovators?
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
The Benefits and Pitfalls of Privatization
Conducting government services by outside contractors has been going on for decades. How do legislatures exercise oversight under privatization?
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
Want to Please Taxpayers? Want to Save Them Money and Time?
State legislators are constantly looking at ways to save money without cutting corners in providing services. Discover the many benefits of program evaluation and sunset review.
Transportation
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
The Coming Crisis for U.S. Ports
Ports and waterways are an integral part of moving vital goods and resources inland to retail businesses and consumers. Look at recent developments in port security and improvements underway to increase efficiency.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
The Big Dig: Uncovered
Boston is home to the nation's most expensive transportation project, commonly referred to as the Big Dig. Despite its cost overruns and engineering challenges, other cities are considering similar ventures. Listen to the lessons learned from those involved in this ground-breaking effort.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Transportation Funding: What Works, What Doesn't?
Most states are struggling to find the revenue needed to pay for transportation improvements. Explore the challenges and learn about the different alternatives.
Women’s Network
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Lessons from End-of-Life Care
More than 80 percent of deaths in hospitals involve some decision to limit treatment, from do-not-resuscitate orders to withdrawing respirators, feeding tubes, or renal dialysis. Legislators and experts in the field will discuss the role policymakers play in this complex issue.
Banking, Financial Services and Insurance
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
Exotic Mortgages
Low interest rates and so-called exotic mortgages have made it easier to own your own home, but foreclosure rates are climbing, and unscrupulous mortgage lenders have scammed homeowners. Hear about states' efforts to protect homeowners.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
The Next Big One: Are Consumers and the Insurance Industry Ready?
Natural disasters, catastrophes, and terrorism are all bearing down on the insurance market. In response, insurance companies are rising rates and not writing new policies. Consumers are wondering how they can get coverage, while insurance companies are wondering how to pay for the next recovery. What does the insurance market look like waiting for the next the big threat?
Budgets and Taxes, State and Federal
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
What's the Federal Government Doing to Us Now?
Hear from an expert on Congress, the administration, possible federal actions over the next 18 months, and their effects on the states.
Tuesday 3:15 p.m.
The State Economic Outlook with David Wyss
While most state budgets are solid, state revenue performance may be starting to slow down. Hear from one of the nation's leading economists.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Got Reform? Property Taxpayers Seek Solutions
Rising property values have boosted property tax bills, making this unpopular tax even more detested. State experts talk about the latest in property tax reform.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
The Benefits and Pitfalls of Privatization
Conducting government services by outside contractors has been going on for decades. How do legislatures exercise oversight under privatization?
Civic Education
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
Project Citizen: Preparing Tomorrow's Citizens Today
Project Citizen is a civic education program that helps prepare middle and high school students be responsible, participating citizens. A panel of students from around the country will describe their efforts to solve public policy issues in their communities.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Young People Advising Legislators
Legislators deal with a range of policies affecting young people, and increasingly, they are interested in hearing from them about these issues. Several states have established legislative youth advisory councils. Come hear from some young people who are making a difference in their state.
College Choice
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
The College Board: Getting Into the College of Your Choice
Parents and students will want to attend this workshop to get the best information available on academic preparation and admission to college. The College Board provides experts to answer all you questions about academic planning, financial aid, admissions procedures much more.
Communications and Information Technology
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Web Wise: Getting Kids Up to Speed
How do we make the Internet more widely available to low-income children?
Energy and Electric Utilities
Tuesday 3:15 p.m.
The Heat is on: States Take on Climate Change
2006 was the hottest year in U.S. history. If the earth's climate is changing, how will it affect the economic and social well-being of the nation?
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
The Need for Federal Action on Energy
Oil Addiction. Climate change. Energy infrastructure needs. Renewable energy. Energy efficiency. Following the enactment of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, can Congress move on a single national energy policy that addresses all of these concerns and more?
Environment and Natural Resources
Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
Climate Change: A World View
Greenhouse gas emissions are a problem for nations throughout the world. The international Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report on options to address energy supply, transportation, industry, agriculture and other concerns that affect emissions, with a wealth of scientific information and a discussion of how policies work or don’t.
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
Sustainable Growth: What States and Tribes Can Learn From Each Other
State legislators and Native American leaders face many development pressures as rapid growth increases demands fro water and energy. Examine collaborative efforts between states and tribes on the forefront of efforts to balance natural resource development and protection.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Water, Water Everywhere and not a Drop to Share
Competition among cities, farmer and industry in rapidly growing areas has led many states to make difficult decisions about who has access to water and how it is used. Learn how states have balanced the needs of these different users.
Health
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
Fit or Flabby? Fresh or Fatty? - School Wellness
Federal law now requires nearly all school districts to establish a local wellness policy, including guidelines for nutritious school foods, physical activity and nutrition education. What's happened as a result?
Tuesday 3:15 p.m.
State Health Reform: A Universal Approach?
Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont all passed laws to change how they provide and pay for health care. Now the movement is reaching beyond New England.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
The State of Children’s Health
Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program have move the country closer to covering all children with health insurance. In recent months state legislators and governors are attempting to close the final gaps.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
Health Information Transformation
Has the promised revolution in health information arrived? State challenges include rethinking licensing in a networked environment, protecting privacy and deciding who will foot the bill.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Long-Term Care in a Time of Change
The Deficit Reduction Act gives states options for providing community long-term care services. And states can work with private insurers as long-term care partnerships once again become popular. Learn how to create successful options.
Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
REAL ID: Sticker Shock Over Driver's Licenses
States are likely to spend at least $11 billion to implement the federal REAL ID Act. Despite the real costs, real mandates and unreal expectations, the Department of Homeland security rejected major recommendations from state legislators to make the law more practical and affordable. Find out what resources and remedies are available.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
How Secure Are We?
The United States has made great strides in protecting the homeland, yet much work remains. Learn about the most promising practices in preventing future terrorist attacks and preparing for natural disasters.
Human Services and Welfare
Tuesday 3:15 p.m.
How Early Childhood Initiatives Affect the Economy
States have taken major steps to get children off to a good start. Learn about a new study showing the economic benefits of pre-kindergarten programs.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Creating Opportunity: Reducing Child and Family Poverty
Learn about new ways to address poverty by increase support for work, change taxes to increase family income, develop educational opportunities to help parents get better jobs, and provide access to good child care and pre-kindergarten.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
New Ways to Prevent Child Abuse
Recent studies have shown that good early care with parent involvement and maternal and infant nutrition programs can prevent child maltreatment. There's new interest in home visiting programs too.
Immigration
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Federal Immigration Reform: What's in it for the States?
Why should states care about immigration? Federal immigration proposals could create opportunities for more federal assistance but also present pitfalls including unfunded federal mandates.
International Programs
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
International Trade
The president's authority to negotiate trade agreements expires this summer while many pacts remain unfinished. Review the status of global and bilateral agreements of interest to state legislators.
Labor and Economic Development
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Building a Workforce for the 21st Century
Businesses have difficulty finding qualified workers to fill high paying jobs. The National Center on Education and the Economy has ideas about what should be done.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Employer-Provided Health Care Competitive (Dis)Advantage?
The cost of providing health care for employees has driven some businesses out of the market, while others have managed to provide affordable health care coverage and maintain a healthy bottom line. Explore employers’ responses to the rising cost of providing health care to America’s workforce.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Rising Retiree Health Care Costs
States are reevaluating existing retiree health care benefits in an effort to respond to new accounting standards requiring additional disclosure of long-term retiree benefit costs.
Law and Criminal Justice
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Protecting Children Online and in Your Neighborhood
The popularity of Internet social sites for young people make them appealing playgrounds for sexual predators. View a live demonstration of how online predators operate and explore ways to protect children.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
The Politics of Choosing Judges
Million dollar campaigns, attack advertising, interest group activity and political influence affect the way we select our judges. Legal experts will examine these trends and whether they have a direct influence on the decisions judges make.
Legislatures and Elections
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
Managing Change and Transition
Whether change is a result of technology, power shifts, term limits or catastrophic events, it can be difficult. Learn how to manage change effectively and introduce change to others.
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
New Ways to Communicate With Constituents
Learn how legislatures are using innovative ways to reach the public and enhance their experiences when participating in the legislative process.
Tuesday 3:15 p.m.
Dealing With Conflict
Everybody in a role of leadership faces conflict in their professional and personal lives. Develop a working knowledge of the different ways to manage conflict and learn your preferred management style.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Demographic Trends That Change Your World
Join a noted demographer for a trip through time and data to understand how key demographic trends are reshaping America's economic, political and social makeup and what those trends mean for policy in your state.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
Transitioning from Campaigning to Governing
Do you sometimes feel you have a split personality, one designed for raising money and campaigning, and another designed for lawmaking and mastering the legislative process? This session will help you make a smooth transition from campaigner to lawmaker while staying true to your values, beliefs and constituents' expectations.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
Separation of Powers
Separation of powers ensures a balance among the three branches of government. Review recent court cases and other constitutional crises that threaten this balance.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
Want to Please Taxpayers? Want to Save Them Money and Time?
State legislators are constantly looking at ways to save money without cutting corners in providing services. Discover the many benefits of program evaluation and sunset review.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
Your Legislative District Through New Eyes
See the Census Bureau's new database that allows you to analyze your legislative district through the prism of Census Bureau data. Learn how you can use this important new tool.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Legislative Ethics
Review state efforts on ethics reform in the aftermath of state and federal scandals. Find out what works for state legislatures.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
How to Run a Great Constituent Meeting or Adversity Training
Do you dread constituent meetings, sensing that someone will confront or harangue you? Explore new ways to run these meetings that put the focus on your constituents and let them participate and express their ideas fully, while you concentrate on listening and learning.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
The Changing Face of Rural America
Learn about policies to help rural areas prosper as their populations change.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
Farm Bill 2007: Planting New Approaches
Will Congress find a way to revitalize our rural areas?
Education
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
The 21st Century Classroom
New technology and a new attitude toward learning and school time can dramatically change classrooms to engage and excite students. The George Lucas Education Foundation has some innovative ideas. Hear how states are making the most of learning time.
Tuesday 3:15 p.m.
Improving Higher Education Now
States and institutions can be more productive with their investment in higher education while maintaining quality and improving access? Learn how at this session.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
Building a Workforce for the 21st Century
Businesses have difficulty finding qualified workers to fill high paying jobs. The National Center on Education and the Economy has ideas about what should be done.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
Bye, Bye Local School Boards?
Several states and major cities are experimenting with weakening the power of local school boards by strengthening the role of mayors and superintendents and consolidating school districts. This session explores these reforms and the thinking behind them.
Thursday 10:15 p.m.
Is Adolescent Risk-Taking All in Their Heads?
Learn about the newest science in adolescent brain development and how it explains teen risk-taking. Policymakers can respond more effectively with a better understanding of how teens tick.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Web Wise: Getting Kids Up to Speed
How do we make the Internet more widely available to low-income children?
Public Affairs
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
Twelve Tips for a More Powerful Speech
A successful speech depends as much on preparation as it does on delivery. The author of "How to Write & Give a Speech" goes over the critical steps it takes for you to connect with your audience.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m.
The Art of Public Debate
Discover easy-to-use principles for effective public debate, from candidate forums to policymaking settings. Learn how to make your point and make it stick.
Wednesday 2:45 p.m.
The Media: Out With the Old, in With the New?
Newspaper readership is declining while Web traffic on news sites continues to rise. Statehouses are even fielding requests from bloggers for press credentials. Are state legislatures prepared to communicate with the public in this new era?
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