Experts Discuss What Makes a President Great
The next president of the United States needs character, good judgment, an ability to build consensus and “the courage to be lonely.”   >> press release

NCSL Attendees Choose President for 2008
Attendees at the National Conference of State Legislatures 2007 Legislative Summit vote in a straw poll, and choose the next President of the United States. >> press release

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State Budgets in Transition, NCSL Report Shows
BOSTON - Although state year-end balances remain solid, states finished fiscal year (FY) 2007 with less money than they had a year ago. A new report by the National Conference of State Legislatures shows. >> press release

Protecting Democracy at Home and Overseas
BOSTON – Nine members of the legislative community received a national award for fighting for democracy at home and overseas. >> press release

Transportation Funding: What Works and What Doesn't
Explore transportation funding challenges and help lawmakers understand different alternatives.

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Web Wise: Getting Kids Up to Speed
How do we make the Internet more widely available to low-income children? High-speed internet access is becoming an essential infrastructure that links children to educational opportunities, health care access, workforce preparation and civic participation.

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Chertoff, Pelosi address Critical Times with State Lawmakers
The two officials spent Wednesday morning talking about issues such as Homeland Security and No Child Left Behind with state lawmakers at the National Conference of State Legislative Summit in Boston.
>> Pelosi press release | >> Chertoff press release

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Survey Identifies 68 State Legislators Who Currently Serve in the U.S. Military
BOSTON – A newly published survey has identified 68 state legislators who serve in the U.S. military as members of their states’ National Guard or Reserve units. >> press release

Building a Workforce for the 21st Century
The National Center on Education and the Economy has released a bold and controversial report which suggests a complete overhaul of the education system to ensure our workforce and economy are prepared for the 21st century. Learn about the recommendations and the controversy.

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The Next Big One: Are Consumers and the Insurance Industry Ready?
Natural disasters, catastrophes and terrorism are bearing down on the insurance market.  In response, insurance companies are raising rates and not writing new policies.  Consumers are wondering how they can get coverage, while insurance companies are wondering how to pay for the next recovery.  What does the insurance market look like waiting for the next big threat?

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Demographic Trends that Change Your World
Join a noted demographer for a trip through time and data to understand how key demographic trends are reshaping America's economic, political and social makeup and what those trends mean for policy in your state.

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Farm Bill 2007: Planting New Approaches
The reauthorization of this critical piece of legislation is taking place against a background of scare federal resources. Will Congress find a way to balance competing demands and priorities and revitalize our rural areas?

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Our Place in History
David McCullough, America's most celebrated historian shared a unique perspective on America's history and its place in the world.

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Lawmakers are running on green energy in Boston
More renewable energy is being used to host a national convention of legislators - Lawmakers are taking time to speak on panel discussions, network ideas, and learn more about the environmental benefits of using green energy.
>> Press Release

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Speaker Joe Hackney receives the nation's top state legislative honor - the 2007 Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award. >> Press Release

Exotic Mortgages
Low interest rates and so-called exotic mortgages have made it easier to own your own home, but foreclosure rates are climbing, and unscrupulous mortgage lenders have scammed homeowners. Hear about states' efforts to protect homeowners.

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Election Integrity
This session will explore federal momentum and state actions related to fair and accurate elections.

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God, Politics & Voters: The Baylor Religion Survey
How do Americans' religious beliefs affect moral and political attitudes?  The lead researchers at Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion have fresh data and insights from their ongoing national study.  Learn what's happening at the intersection of religion and politics.

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State Health Reform: A Universal or Incremental Approach?
Massachusetts and Vermont passed laws last year to change their health care systems with an emphasis on covering all of the uninsured.  Is the movement reaching beyond New England? What is happening in the world of health care reform?

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Employment Issues for Returning Veterans
Many states are considering initiatives on employment, supplemental rehabilitation health benefits, tuition assistance and job training programs to aid veterans on their return to the community.

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Fit or Flabby? Fresh or Fatty? School Wellness Legislation
Examine landmark legislation in several states that sets standards for school nutrition and physical education. What's happened as a result?

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States Pick Up Congress' Slack on Immigration
Boston - As the prospects for federal immigration reform dwindled, state legislators took matters into their own hands and enacted legislation in 2006. >> Press Release

The Big Squeeze: The Challenges to Higher Education
American higher education has been the envy of the world. But new pressures are risking not only the tradition of quality, but America's place in the global economy.

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Cooperation Between Business, Higher Ed Sectors Can Help Keep America Competitive
Colleges and universities should look to the business community for answers and inspiration as they strive to meet America’s needs in this global economy. >> Press Release

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International Delegates
Over 250 international delegates from at least 25 jurisdictions came to Boston as part of the National Conference of States Legislatures Legislative Summit.

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Drowsy Driving
Policymakers, concerned about drowsy driving, are looking at new research on adequate sleep and the effects of sleep deprivation. Examine research and legislative efforts to reduce the number of drowsy drivers.

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The Growing Demands on Agricultural Production
Increasing bioenergy demands stretch agricultural production to provide not only food, feed and fiber, but also fuel. How can we balance these competing demands on crop production? 

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No Cup of Coffee-The Line Between Legislators and Lobbyists
Colorado recently joined the states that have set strict limits on interactions between legislators and lobbyists with Amendment 41, but questions and problems have followed.  What is the purpose behind these attempts to regulate lobbyist conduct and what lessons have we learned?

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Who Should Draw the Maps?
Reformers continue to call for legislatures to get out of the redistricting business. Are so-called independent commissions the answer or do they lead to unintended consequences?

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The Future of the Nation's Middle Class
Discuss state and federal policy issues facing the middle class, including employment services, health care coverage, collective bargaining, unemployment insurance and asset building, as well as ideas about what state legislators can do to address them.

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Charters, Vouchers and Choice - Oh My!
Learn the latest research and policy developments from Utah's landmark universal voucher law, and Georgia's law creating charter districts, to recent studies providing support for, and against, these initiatives.

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Serving and Protecting Children of Immigrants
Some 80 percent of immigrant children in the nation are U.S. citizens.  Examine how child welfare agencies deal with immigration practices, policies and laws.

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Supreme Court Update
This year's session of the U.S. Supreme Court included several decisions that have broad implications for state and local governments and for the public policy they enact.

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A New Boston Tea Party
State legislators reenacted the Boston Tea Party as a way to send a message to their counter parts in Washington: quit passing the buck to the states.  >> Press Release

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Taking the Pulse of the New Legislature
Legislatures aren't what they used to be. Explore the trends of constant campaigning, increasing partisanship, more partisan staff, more training for members, better use of technology and increasing pressure from new legislators wanting to hit the ground running.

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Weighing the Pros and Cons: What's the Role of the States in Divestments?
Growing concern over genocide has prompted states to divest in companies doing business with Sudan and other terrorist sponsoring nations.  Supporters hail state measures as an appropriate moral stand, while others content that state action is unconstitutional and will harm investors in the long run.

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Mental Health Treatment
Are the current mechanisms of screening and entry into mental health treatment adequate to meet society's needs and protect the individual?

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Electoral College Dropouts
A movement to short-circuit the Electoral College gained momentum in 2007 when Maryland became the first state to enact National Popular Vote.  A wise move, or will it end-run a necessary constitutional mechanism that has endured over 200 years?