Tuesday, July 22

4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Press Room Dedication and Reception

NCSL will re-name its press room after John LaPlante, Jr.  John was a political columnist, news bureau director, and college professor in Baton Rouge, who spent more than three decades covering Louisiana state government and politics.

Wednesday, July 23

9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Press Conference: Possible Cost of Climate Change

While the debate rages on about how to protect the planet, the changing climate may threaten some states' economies. NCSL is releasing the State Economic and Environmental Costs of Climate Change report. The report summarizes the climatic changes affecting 12 states, the potential fiscal impact, and the effect of any future climate changes.

Media Availability: Randall Luthi and Dr. Richard Spinard

Randall Luthi is director of the Minerals Management Service, of the U.S. Department of Interior and will discuss the important role that states play in the country’s energy production program. 

Dr. Richard Spinrad, Ph.D., is from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.

Press Conference: State Budget Report: July 2008

The National Conference of State Legislatures' State Budget Update: July 2008 is based on information collected from legislative fiscal directors in June and July. It gives a snapshot of state budgets for FY 2008. It includes information on budget gaps, revenue performance, projections of FY 2009 gaps and actions states took to close them. It also includes a special section on how different sectors of the economy are doing.

Wetlands Tour
Video and photographs from the tour will be available in the Press Room, 211 at the Convention Center on Thursday.

Thursday, July 24

10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

12:45 p.m. - 1 p.m.

2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Press Conference: SouthEastern Accord

Press Conference: Immigration Legislation and the States

New York Mayor Michael Blumberg, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and Oregon Senator Bruce Starr will discuss how states can work together to make federal infrastructure funding a national priority. 

Friday, July 25

12:00 a.m. - 12:30 pm

1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Press Conference: International Delegates

International leaders from more than 25 countries are gathering in New Orleans to exchange information and hear various perspectives on public policy as part of the National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) Legislative Summit.

Press Conference: Is the Presidential Primary Process Broken?

David Norcross, rules committee chairman from the Republican National Committee; and Bob Bennett, Ohio Republican Party Chairman; James Roosevelt, co-chair of the rules committee from the Democratic National Committee will discuss, for the first time, making changes to the presidential primary calendar.