Erica MacKellar works primarily on issues around state fiscal conditions and the state budget process for NCSL. She also staffs the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices (NALFO), a NCSL professional staff association. She joined...

In her role, Samantha Scotti focuses on state policy issues relating to health care access, costs and coverage. She has over six years of experience working with state legislators, legislative staff and other partners on a variety of health...

As a senior fellow in NCSL’s Health Program, Karmen Hanson specializes in behavioral health and cannabis policy topics and collaborates with programs across the organization. With more than 22 years at NCSL, Hanson has presented to dozens...

As a project manager with the Employment, Labor and Retirement Program, Marilyn Villalobos focuses on disability employment policy. She also serves as the New Mexico state liaison. Previously, Villalobos worked for the Colorado Department of...

As federal affairs advisor, Austin Reid oversees NCSL’s federal education policy work, which includes staffing the NCSL Standing Committee on Education and representing NCSL’s education interests before Congress and the...

Mandy Rafool is the director of the Fiscal Affairs Program, where she oversees the products and services NCSL delivers on state budgets, state taxes, economic development and financial services. Rafool has more than 25 years of experience at...

Patrick Lyons is a policy specialist focused on prekindergarten to third grade education policy. Patrick facilitates the State Policy and Research in Early Education workgroup and focuses on issues such as school readiness, the early childhood...

As a project manager in NCSL’s Health Program, Colleen Becker focuses on prescription drug access and affordability. Becker comes to NCSL with 20 years of experience performing multiple roles in health advocacy and direct patient care. She...

A senior policy specialist in the Legislative Staff Services Program, Kae Warnock supports two of NCSL’s professional staff associations: the Research, Editorial, Legal and Committee Staff (RELACS) association and the National Association...

As director of the State-Tribal Institute, Irene Kawanabe supports the Quad Caucus, Women’s Legislative Network and the National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators. Prior to joining NCSL in 2007, Kawanabe served as the...

As associate director of the Women's Legislative Network and the Quad Caucus, Martha Saenz leads strategic programs and events designed to serve targeted members. She has been with NCSL for more than a decade, specializing in research,...

As a program principal in NCSL’s Environment, Energy and Transportation Program, Jennifer Schultz covers a wide range of policy topics including waste and recycling, wildlife, land use, environmental health, disaster resilience, and...

As a senior policy specialist with the Center for Legislative Strengthening, Mari Henderson focuses on committees, continuity of government issues, including COVID-19-related rules and procedural change, and legislative rules,...

Natalie Wood serves as vice president of policy and research at NCSL. She previously directed NCSL’s Center for Legislative Strengthening, providing expertise and leading research on legislative institutional issues, including internal...

Suzanne Hultin is the director of NCSL's Employment, Labor & Retirement ProgramL. In this role, she oversees issues around employment, occupational licensing and workforce development. Prior to joining NCSL in 2013, she served as...

In the 2022 midterm elections, Democrats exceeded expectations at the national level, while the parties solidified control in state legislatures.

Financial Services, Technology and Communications Program, Heather Morton leads a team of policy analysts focusing on broadband and telecommunications, internet and technology, consumer and financial services, civil liability and alcohol...

Skip Brown is the deputy chief of staff of the Indiana Senate.

Mitzie Jessop Taase is Senate counsel for the American Samoa Fono, the territory’s legislature. 

Voters across the country approved several new tax and budget initiatives in the 2022 midterm elections.

A growing number of states and localities are enacting legislation aiming to promote pay equity.

The struggle to employ workers tops the list of concerns state lawmakers will focus on in 2023 legislative sessions, according to NCSL CEO Tim Storey.

The 2022 NCSL Budget Working Group Preconference was held Dec. 5 at the Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. This special meeting examined state budget strategies that minimize fiscal distress and improve long-term sustainability. Participants...