COMMITTEE REPORT

2005 ANNUAL MEETING & EXHIBITION PLANNING UNDERWAY

Pre-registration for the NCSL 2005 Annual Meeting and Exhibition to be held August 16-20 in Seattle, Washington is now available online at www.ncsl.org/annualmeeting/. Housing reservations must be secured by July 15 to receive conference rates. Host committee information, including pre and post-conference tours in the Pacific Northwest, is online at www.ncslseattle.com/. Agenda updates for the Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs will be posted online at www.ncsl.org/standcomm/scecon/scecon.htm.

PORTMAN CONFIRMED AS US TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Former Congressman Rob Portman (R-Ohio) was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 29 as the new U.S. Trade Representative. At Portman’s confirmation hearing on April 21, he committed to a top to bottom review of trade rules, and agreed that more should be done to combat unfair practices. One of his first official duties was to attend the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and WTO mini-ministerial meetings May 2-4 in Paris, France.

NCSL RELEASES REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP ON ENERGY & TRADE POLICY

On April 16 at the Spring Forum, Idaho Representative George Eskridge released an interim report of the State & Local Working Group on Energy & Trade Policy. The group was tasked with research and analysis on the potential impact of trade negotiations under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) on domestic electricity policy. The report and a response from the U.S. Trade Representative are online at www.ncsl.org/standcomm/scecon/EnergyandTradeWGLTR0405.htm. For more information, contact Jeremy Meadows at jeremy.meadows@ncsl.org.

NCSL PARTICIPATES IN JOINT LETTERS OPPOSING ELIMINATION OF CDBG

NCSL participated recently in two joint letters that express concerns about cuts to or elimination of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The first was April 12, addressed to the Budget conferees regarding the FY2006 budget resolutions, H.Con.Res 95 and S.Con.Res. 18. The letter is online at www.ncsl.org/statefed/B6ltrBudgCon.htm, and also addressed Medicaid concerns. The second was May 4, addressed to Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez of the Department of Commerce, stating opposition to the elimination of the CDBG and any potential CDBG program move from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Commerce. The letter is online at www.ncsl.org/statefed/Big5ltrSACI.htm.

U.S. TO IMPLEMENT RULING IN WTO GAMBLING CASE

On May 19, the U.S. announced the intention to implement the April 7 World Trade Organization appellate ruling in the cross-border gambling services dispute with Antigua and Barbuda. U.S. officials have requested a reasonable period of time to implement the decision and indicated willingness to work with Antigua on this issue. Antigua requires a clarification of U.S. internet gambling restrictions and market access for the provision of gambling and betting services, but lost several claims on “public morals” grounds. The appellate body found that Antigua failed to explain why challenged state laws violate General Agreement on Trade and Services’ rules, but the decision still raises questions concerning state regulation of foreign gambling interests. A fact sheet from the USTR about the decision is online at www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2005/asset_upload_file884_7576.pdf. An analysis by the Forum on Democracy and Trade is online at www.forumdemocracy.net/trade_topics/gambling/wto_gambling_decision_0405.html.  Prior to the ruling, Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Chair Representative Sheryl Allen sent a March 30 letter to then acting-USTR Peter Alligier expressing NCSL’s concerns that the decision may have an adverse impact on state gambling and public morals laws. The letter is online at www.ncsl.org/standcomm/scecon/allgeierltr033005.htm.