COMMITTEE REPORT

STATES ON TRADE LISTSERV LAUNCHED

As a follow-up to the successful NCSL/NAAG seminar on International Trade, Preemption, and the States, a listserv has been created to link together state officials with interest in international trade issues, particularly relative to preemption and federalism concerns. The listserv has restricted membership for state and local officials to freely share information and discuss concerns and ideas. Initial membership includes the state officials who attended the seminar in April. Others wishing to join the discussion should email Jeremy Meadows (jeremy.meadows@ncsl.org) or Nick Steidel (nick.steidel@ncsl.org) to be added to the list. Details for participation will be sent with confirmation of list subscription.

NCSL RESEARCHES THE ARTS AS STATE POLICY ASSET

With generous support from The Altria Group, NCSL and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) have begun a multi-phase initiative to encourage ideas and information about how the arts can help states achieve their most pressing public policy goals. Two regional focus groups will conduct formal, in-depth research to diagnose current legislative opinions, policy priorities and information needs of state leaders. NASAA and NCSL will cull the best and most illustrative examples to be made available as a “mini-series” of topical publications, each addressing an arts policy subject. Activities will be guided by an Advisory Group comprised of state legislators, legislative staffers and arts leaders from around the nation. For more information, contact NCSL staff Mandy Rafool at mandy.rafool@ncsl.org.

U.S. HOUSE REBUFFS SACI

On May 24, the U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee reported a $57.45 billion FY2006 bill that excluded funding for the president's Strengthening America’s Communities Initiative (SACI), which would have consolidated several economic development programs within the Commerce Department. The Science-State-Justice-Commerce appropriations was funded at $3.7 billion lower than the request, which is the amount requested for the SACI program. On June 7, the full House Appropriations Committee maintained the spending numbers and rejection of SACI. At the NCSL Annual Meeting in Seattle, the Agriculture & Rural Development Committee and the Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a joint session to look at SACI and the idea it raises of reforming and/or consolidating federal community development grant programs.

U.S. HOUSE APPROVES ARTS AND HUMANITIES FUNDING

On May 19, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Congressional Arts Caucus Amendment to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by $10 million and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) by $5 million. The amendment was attached to the Department of Interior appropriations, and passed by voice vote.

U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE REVISES OFFER UNDER GATS