Labor and Economic Development Committee

2010 Legislative Summit Agenda and Handouts

July 25-28, 2010, Louisvile, Kentucky
 

 Sunday | Monday | Tuesday| Wednesday 

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Small Businesses: Generating Jobs Through Trade

Small businesses play an important role in the U.S. economy and are a major source of jobs. They also account for the largest group of U.S. exporters and are a major user of imported goods. Most of these businesses rely on state resources to help their businesses grow. This session will explore the role that small businesses play in creating jobs and jumpstarting the economy.

Moderator:
Representative Juan C. Zapata, Florida
Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Ryan Douglas, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Washington, D.C.   Remarks

J. Edwin Webb, Kentucky World Trade Center, Louisville, Kentucky 
Handouts:   ♦ KY Trade Assistance Organizations   ♦ KY Trade Statistics   ♦ Trade Successes

Elmer Stancil, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Atlanta, Georgia

State Innovations in Career and Technical Education
Joint with Education Committee

Career and technical education (CTE) plays a valuable role during an economic recovery. In addition to conventional functions of preparing students for employment and postsecondary education and training, CTE programs can be adapted to meet future workforce needs in high-growth and emerging industries. This session will examine how states are using innovations such as career pathways to address the needs of students and the workforce, and outline successful state examples.

Moderator:
Senator Gary LeBeau, Connecticut, Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Cindy Fiorella, Owensboro Community and Technical College, Owensboro, Kentucky

Stephen DeWitt, Association for Career and Technical Education  Power Point

Kimberly Green, National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium

Kathy Shibley, Office of Career-Technical and Adult Education, Ohio Department of Education

US Dept. of Labor, Office of Vocational and Adult Education Materials:

• Perkins 101
• DATE Fact Sheets
• Basic State Grants
• Tech Prep Education

► Listen to the Audio Recording

Opening General Session: Does Congress Really Care About the States?

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell headlines the opening ceremony for the 2010 NCSL Legislative Summit. Hear his perspective on key national issues and the relationship between states and the federal government. A welcome from Kentucky's legislative leaders and a tribute to state legislators and state legislative staff who served in current U.S. military operations overseas will highlight this session.

Presiding: Georgia State Senator Don Balfour, NCSL President

Welcome: Kentucky Senate President David L. Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo

• National Anthem
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Prayer
• Civic Soldier Medal of Honor Awards Presentation

Keynote Addresses:

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, D-California, Speaker of the U.S. House of Presentatives
► Watch Speaker Pelosi's Presentation

The Honorable Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, U.S. Senate Minority Leader
► Watch Senator McConnell's Presentation

Labor and Economic Development Committee Business Meeting

Members of the committee will discuss and act on committee business, consider any new policy resolutions submitted for consideration and review the following policies scheduled to expire:

• Free Trade and Federalism
• Employment Security System Funding
• NCSL Supports Travel and Tourism
• Responsible Housing
• Urging the Federal Government to Provide Authoritative Information to U.S. Public Sector Investors

Presiding:
Representative Juan C. Zapata, Florida, Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

American Manufacturing in the 21st Century
NCSL gratefully acknowledges the support of Americans for the Arts in providing the committee’s luncheon.

Despite the recent challenges of the economic downturn, manufacturing remains an important sector in the U.S. economy. Committee members will learn how American manufacturers are adapting to meet the demands of the 21st century economy and contributing to the economic recovery. This session will explore innovative ways in which states legislators, private industry and workers are partnering together to achieve these shared goals.

Moderator:
Representative Lana Gordon, Kansas, Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Matthew McKinnon, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 

Dr. I.S. Jawahir, University of Kentucky Center for Manufacturing, Lexington, Kentucky  Power Point

Bob Babik, General Motors, Detroit, Michigan  Power Point

Rags to Riches: Economic Growth and Vitality in Downtown Louisville

Headed for ruins, downtown Louisville has gone through major redevelopment to become one of the premiere destinations in the state. The vibrant downtown area has created a multitude of jobs through small businesses, hotels, art museums, restaurants and shopping, all the while keeping the history, integrity and culture that's unique to Louisville. Join us for an information session and a spectacular tour of the dynamic Museum Row, including a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. 

Moderator:
Representative Brent Yonts, Kentucky, Immediate Past Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee 

Speakers:
Mayor Jerry E. Abramson, Louisville, Kentucky

Allan Cowen, Fund for the Arts, Kentucky  Power Point

Anne Jewell, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Kentucky  Power Point

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

General Session - An Education Success Story

Jeb Bush was governor of a state whose education system ranked at the bottom nationally, but the will to improve and the courageous leadership of the Florida Legislature changed so much in a decade. Hear Governor Bush discuss why Florida didn’t abandon reform during tough times, but focused on the long-term benefits of providing quality education to every student in the state and reversed a generation of decline in public schools.

 ► Watch the Presentation 

Despite signs that the nation may be recovering, unemployment remains high and state finances continue to suffer. With funds already scarce, many states have taken new approaches to spark their economies without further expenditures. Hear about what’s worked and what else states can do to encourage job growth.

Moderator:
Representative Earl Hilliard, Jr., Alabama, Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Delegate Terry Kilgore, Virgiina  Power Point / Virginia Labor Update

Daniel Aaronson, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Illinois  Power Point

Representative Lou Lang, West Virginia

Learn about legislators' power and responsibilities in the design and oversight of state retirement policy. Examine the complicated question of state governments' ability to change the benefits promised to current employees and retired people. Explore the process of making good policy in this technical and complicated area of law. Hear how a state pension study commission can contribute to the process.

Moderator:
Representative Juan C. Zapata, Florida, Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Cindie Moore, National Council on Teacher Retirement (Former), Florida Power Point

Keith Brainard, National Association of State Retirement Administrators, Texas  Power Point

Aristotle Hutras, Ohio Retirement Study Council, Ohio  Power Point

► Watch the Presentation 

States are enacting new medical cost containment strategies to stem the rising costs for workers’ compensation. Examine the effectiveness of medical fee schedules, regulating hospital and surgical charges, and limits on prescription drug costs, and explore other options to control costs for workers’ compensation claims.

Moderator:
Representative Susan Westrom, Kentucky

Speakers:
Steve Birnbaum, Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group, California

Michelle Landers, Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance, Kentucky  Power Point

Jeff Eddinger, National Council on Compensation Insurance, Florida  Power Point

Dr. Victor Richard, WCRI, Massachusetts  Power Point

State Pensions Track: Current Issues in State Retirement Policy
Weak state revenues and loss of assets are not the only issues public retirement funds must cope with. The public workforce is aging, people would like to retire early, and in some states the workforce is shrinking. People are living longer. All these changes have to be factored into retirement policy. What’s the best way to keep track of all these moving parts?

 Moderator:
Representative Julie Fisher, Utah, Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Senator Bill Heath, Georgia, Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee  Power Point

Kil Huh, Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, D.C. Power Point

Beth Almeida, National Institute for Retirement Security, Washington, D.C.  Power Point

► Watch the Presentation

In a post-recession era, retraining workers is critical to decreasing unemployment in the states. Community colleges provide innovative, adaptable and real-time solutions by working closely with businesses and communities to meet state and regional workforce needs. Learn how states are emphasizing the role of community colleges in retraining workers, and how states can leverage federal and other money to supplement state money.

Moderator:
Senator Gary LeBeau, Connecticut, Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Learn how other countries have successfully changed their approach to workforce development.  Discover what worked for them, what didn't and why.  More than 150 international participants form more than 22 countries attend NCSL's Legislative Summit and will be given the opportunity to share their experiences, insights and knowledge. 

Moderator:
Representative Anna Fairclough, Alaska, Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Shahid Esau, Western Cape Provincial Legislature, South Africa

Richard Torbay, Parliament of New South Wales, Austrailia

State Pensions Track: State Responses to the Pension Crisis

Since mid-decade, states have taken unprecedented action to ensure they can sustain the long-term commitments to employee pensions. Hear about the kinds of responses states have been taking, and the Pew Center on the States’ important report on how well state governments are responding to the pension crisis.

Moderator:
Representative Brent Yonts, Kentucky, Immediate Past Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Senator Kwame Raoul, Illinois

Senator Daniel Liljenquist, Utah  Power Point

Ron Snell, NCSL - Denver, Colorado  Power Point

Geraldine Madrid-Davis, National Public Pension Coalition, Washington, D.C.  Power Point

► Watch the Presentation

State Pensions Track: Discussion and Networking Reception

• 4:15 pm - 5:15 pm: Discussion Forum

Participants in the State Pensions Track will have an opportunity to review the day's sessions and participate in a roundtable discussion.

Facilitators:
Kil Huh, Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, D.C.

Ron Snell, NCSL - Denver, Colorado

• 5:15 pm - 6:30 pm: Networking Reception 

Legislators and legislative staff have the opportunity to network with colleagues at a reception.  NCSL gratefully acknowleges The Pew Charitable Trust for sponsoring the reception.

The Government Accountability Office says that state governments’ fiscal conditions will decline over the next half-century—through 2060—largely because of the cost of health care. Retiree health care is a large part of the problem. Hear from experts on options designed to make health care costs more manageable.

Moderator:
Senator Bill Heath, Georgia, Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Speaker Terie T. Norelli, New Hampshire  Handout

Michael Burnside, Kentucky Retirement System, Kentucky  Power Point

Elizabeth Keller, Center for State and Local Government Excellence, Washington, D.C.  Power Point

► Watch the Presentation

State Unemployment Funds: Going for Broke?

State unemployment funding has been hit hard by the current recession. With rising unemployment, decreasing state revenues and more than half of the states borrowing money from the federal government to pay benefits, state legislators are looking for ways to improve funding for the current unemployment system. Learn about the system and get an update of federal and state actions.

Moderator:
Gilbert Loredo, Texas, Staff Vice Chair, NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee

Speakers:
Andrea Wilko, Legislative Fiscal Analyst Office, Utah  Power Point
Staff Chair, Labor Economic Development Committee 

Mitchell Bean, House Fiscal Agency, Michigan  Power Point

Margaret Piety, Legislative Services Agency, Indiana  Power Point

Linda Bussell, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky  Power Point
 

General Session - America's Take

Pollsters Peter Hart and Neil Newhouse have different political leanings but they both have a take on how Americans view the economy, the current direction of the country and how today’s politics will play out in November. Hear Hart, a Democrat whose client list includes the Clintons and Kennedys, and Newhouse, a Republican recently named "Pollster of the Year" for his work on Scott Brown’s Massachusetts Senate campaign, dissect Americans’ attitudes in this time of political turbulence.

► Watch the Presentation

NCSL Business Meeting

Attend the business meeting to vote on policy positions that guide NCSL's advocacy efforts before Congress and the administration; elect a new president and other officers for NCSL; and vote on the budget for the coming conference year.

Legislative Staff University: Salute to Legislative Staff

Just as strong states make a strong nation, strong legislative staffs make strong legislatures. Come celebrate the contributions staff make to their legislatures and to NCSL. Listen to David Landis—-former state senator, currently engaged in college teaching and urban planning—-discuss the importance of legislative service as a career, particularly at a time of public distrust of government and the retirement of staff who have been part of the legislature's rise in stature over the years.

Presiding: Nancy Cyr, Legislative Research Division, Nebraska, Staff Chair, NCSL

• NCSL University Kickoff
• Tribute to Staff Section Chairs
• Legislative Staff Achievement Awards
• Committee Staff Chair Awards
• Online Democracy Award
• Legislative Service Campaign Presentation
• Gavel Exchange

Keynote Address: David Landis, Lincoln Urban Development Department, Nebraska

►  Watch the Presentation