Legislative Leadership: the Path Forward

June 7-9, 2012


The Madison Hotel
1177 15th St NW
Washington, D.C. 20005

Thursday, June 7 | Friday, June 8 |  Saturday, June 9

Thursday, June 7

Welcome and Introductions

Presiding: Kansas Senate President Stephen Morris, NCSL President

 Polls, the Media and the Upcoming Election 

Speaker: Chuck Todd, Chief White House Correspondent and Political Director, NBC News

With everyone’s eye on the fall election, there are few political experts with more insight than Chuck Todd when it comes to breaking down the path to the White House. Todd co-authored a definitive book on the 2008 election and he’ll draw from that research to discuss how things are shaping up for the fall and what the electoral demographics might mean for down-ballot races like the critical elections for control of state legislatures.

 Presiding: New Hampshire House Democratic Leader Terie Norelli, NCSL President-Elect

 Speaker: Chuck Todd, NBC News Political Director, Co-host of “The Daily Rundown” on MSNBC
 

Break

Board buses for transportation to Russell Senate Office Building

The Federal Budget and the States

 As the ranking Republican on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Utah’s Senator Orrin Hatch is deeply familiar with the nation’s fiscal situation. Senator Hatch will discuss the federal budget and how pending decisions in Congress will likely affect state budgets.

Presiding: Utah Senator Curtis Bramble, Co-Chair of the NCSL Standing Committees

Speaker: Senator Orrin Hatch, Ranking Member, Committee of Finance, United States Senate

American Education Policy

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will meet with legislative leaders to discuss how the federal government can work with states to improve higher education affordability and completion rates, support K-12 education reform, and ensure state legislative input concerning waivers from the No Child Left Behind law.

Presiding: Kansas Senate President Stephen Morris, NCSL President

Speaker: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Reception at The Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center

Friday, June 8

Breakfast

The Obama Administration and the States

Presiding: Massachusetts Senator Richard Moore, Immediate Past President of NCSL
 

Break

The November Elections

One of America’s most respected political analysts, Charlie Cook, will share his invaluable perspective on how the fall elections are shaping up and what the results might mean moving forward. Charlie’s Cook Political Report and his column for National Journal are essential reading for anyone trying to understand the shifting political sands of Washington and the states.

Presiding: Nevada Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith

Speaker: Charlie Cook, Publisher of the Cook Political Report and Columnist for National Journal

Lunch

The Economy and the States

Legislative leaders will have the opportunity to learn about the direction of the U.S. economy and implications for state budgets by talking with one of the most knowledgeable economists working today, Mark Zandi from Moodys Analytics.

Presiding: Oregon Senator Bruce Starr, NCSL Vice President

Federalism Cases Before the U.S. Supreme Court

By the end of June, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in several major cases with dramatic implications for states, including the challenge to the federal health care law. In this session, one of the most respected reporters covering the high court will discuss possible outcomes and what they might mean for states.

Presiding: Florida Senate President Michael Haridopolos

 Evening Reception

6:15 p.m. - Meet in Lobby to Go to National Geographic Society

We will make the short walk to our reception and dinner at the historic National Geographic headquarters at 1145 17th Street, Northwest, Washington, DC 20036.

Reception and Dinner at National Geographic Society

This will be a delightful reception and dinner at the headquarters and museum of one of America’s iconic treasures, National Geographic. Leaders will have access to the museum’s timely and highly acclaimed exhibit, Titanic: A 100 Year Obsession. There’s also a gallery of amazing Nat Geo photos and a fascinating exhibit on Samurai.

Presiding: New Hampshire House Democratic Leader Terie Norelli, NCSL President-Elect

Breakfast

Political Leadership, the Upcoming Election and Transitions

Fox News political analyst and Wall Street Journal columnist Karl Rove will talk about the current electoral climate. Mr. Rove will also discuss political leadership and what changes in November might mean for states.

Presiding: Georgia Senator Don Balfour
 

 Four Star General David Petraeus is widely considered to be perhaps the most brilliant commander of American forces of this generation, and legislative leaders will hear about the General’s unique leadership traits from someone who spent well over a year working closely with him in Afghanistan. U.S. Army veteran and author Paula Broadwell will give a lively presentation on the General leadership style drawing from her recently published book, All In: The Education of General David Petraeus. Attendees will receive a copy of Ms. Broadwell’s widely acclaimed biography of General Petraeus, and she will gladly inscribe the book for attendees.
 
Presiding: North Carolina House Minority Leader Joe Hackney