USTR APPOINTS STATE LEGISLATORS AND STAFF TO IGPAC
In February, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that
several legislators and legislative staff recommended by NCSL were
appointed to the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC). They
are Representative Sheryl Allen, Utah; Senator Larry Diedrich, South
Dakota; Representative Johnny Ford, Alabama; Representative Peter Lewiss,
Rhode Island; Representative Clay Pope, Oklahoma; and Ms. Hannah Shostack,
New Jersey. NCSL President and Utah House Speaker Martin Stephens made
these recommendations to Ambassador Robert Zoellick in November 2003. NCSL
appreciates the appointment of these capable legislators and legislative
staff and looks forward to working with IGPAC to ensure that state
concerns are considered as trade agreements are negotiated.
The USTR manages IGPAC, which was created by Congress under the Trade
Act of 1974 to provide advice on trade policy matters of importance to
state and local governments. USTR has full discretion to appoint IGPAC's
members, who typically include governors, state legislators, attorneys
general, state regulators, mayors, and county officials. IGPAC is the only
advisory committee dedicated to intergovernmental and federalism issues;
32 other advisory committees provide a voice for different industries,
sectors and interest groups. For information on USTR's advisory committee
system, please see www.ncsl.org/standcomm/scecon/igpac.htm
or www.ustr.gov/outreach/advise.shtml.
U.S. REACHES FTA AGREEMENT WITH MOROCCO
The United States and Morocco reached agreement on March 2 on a
comprehensive and ground-breaking Free Trade Agreement (FTA) designed to
strip away barriers and facilitate trade and investment between both
countries. U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and Moroccan
Minister-delegate of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Taib Fassi-Fihri made
the joint announcement. The U.S.-Morocco FTA is an integral part of
President Bush's strategy to create a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013.
The United States currently has free trade agreements with Israel and
Jordan, and launched negotiations with Bahrain early this year. For more
information on the U.S.-Morocco FTA, including fact sheets and the
President’s Middle East Free Trade Initiative, see www.ustr.gov/new/fta/morocco.htm.
The IGPAC report on the FTA is at www.ustr.gov/new/fta/Morocco/advisor/igpac.pdf.
WTO RULES AGAINST U.S. ON INTERNET
GAMBLING
The Wall Street Journal reported on March 25 that the World Trade
Organization (WTO) ruled against U.S. laws restricting internet gambling,
deciding that those laws violate global trade pacts. The WTO said that
gambling is covered under service-sector agreements. Congressional leaders
have been considering proposals to ban gambling via the Internet in the
U.S., and are committed to fighting the decision. At present, states also
have their own gambling laws and interstate Internet gambling is viewed by
the Justice Department as illegal. This is the first decision the WTO has
made involving the Internet. NCSL will continue to monitor this issue
through the appeals process as many state interests are implicated.
SPRING FORUM 2004 APPROACHES
Please plan to attend the NCSL Spring Forum in Washington, D.C., April
29 - May 1. The NCSL Standing Committee on Economic Development, Trade
& Cultural Affairs will conduct sessions on affordable housing, energy
policy and international trade, Trade Adjustment Assistance, economic
development strategies, and tourism in the agriculture sector. Site visits
are also scheduled for Thursday, April 29 to the Smithsonian Institute’s
American History Museum and the National Building Museum. Plenary sessions
include 2004 congressional priorities as seen by both Republican and
Democratic House leaders, an NPR correspondent’s analysis of the
presidential election campaign, and a panel discussion on jobs in the
world economy. Information about registration materials, hotel
accommodations and sessions for all Standing Committees is online at www.ncsl.org/forum/.
