December 1, 2006
State Lawmakers Prepare for New Congress at San Antonio Meeting
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to headline list of speakers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As members of the U.S. House and Senate prepare to begin the 110th Congress under new management, the nation's state lawmakers will gather next week in San Antonio to put the finishing touches on their federal priorities for 2007.
The National Conference of State Legislatures' 12 standing committees will meet December 5 - 8 in San Antonio, Texas to consider policy resolutions that will guide NCSL's lobbying activity in Washington during 2007 and beyond. The committees will engage in discussions on a wide range of topics such as implementation of the REAL ID Act, immigration reform, affordable health care, greenhouse gas emissions and much more.
A long list of national policy experts including U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will share their wisdom with state lawmakers throughout the week.
Fall Forum highlights include:
- Immigration: Since Congress has failed in its attempts to craft a comprehensive immigration reform package, many state legislatures have been forced to address many of the issues left undone by their Washington counterparts. One of the nation's foremost immigration experts, Demetrios Papdemetriou, president of the Migration Policy Institute, will offer his insights into the future of the immigration policy debate. (Friday, December 8 at 12:15 p.m.)
- Homeland Security: Admiral Thad Allen, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, will discuss critical issues facing the nation's maritime border and how state and federal officials can partner to address the vital aspect of our homeland security. (Wednesday, December 6 at 4 p.m.)
- Driver's Licenses: The federal government is forcing the states to spend upwards of $11 billion over the next five years to implement federal standards for state-issued driver's licenses under the onerous REAL ID Act. Several states are considering opting out of the program. This session will focus on the Act's cost, ensuing regulations, available funding and state lobbying activities. (Friday, December 8 at 9 a.m.)
- Higher Education: Many argue that the American higher education is no longer the best in the world. Tuition and fees are increasingly rapidly, and the quality of the educational experience is not keeping pace. Legislators will discuss the work and recommendations of two recent and highly visible commissions investigating higher education -- Secretary Spellings' Commission on the Future of Higher Education and the NCSL Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education. (Wednesday, December 6 at 1 p.m.)
- Health Care: Massachusetts blazed the trail last year enacting innovative legislation that was intended to provide health care coverage to those who are least able to afford it. Several states are following their lead. Find out what states are doing to make health care more affordable. (Thursday, December 7 at 9:15 a.m.)
- Environment: California Speaker Fabian Nunez guided the California Greenhouse Gas Initiative through the Legislature in August, committing the state to an ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2020. Learn more about this innovative legislation and how other states could follow suit. (Thursday, December 7 at 12:30 p.m.)
- Justice Programs: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will discuss U.S. Justice Department priorities and the state-federal relationship. (Friday, December 8 at noon)
For a more detailed agenda, visit www.ncsl.org/forum.
NCSL's Fall Forum will be held at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio, 123 Lasoya, San Antonio. As with all NCSL meetings, credentialed members of the media are encouraged to attend. To register for the meeting, send an e-mail to press-room@ncsl.org or present your credentials at the onsite registration area. There is no registration fee for members of the media.
NCSL 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.
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