State Officials Hold National Meeting in Lake Tahoe

For Immediate Release
June 2, 2005
Contact: Jack Penchoff
859-244-8246
jpenchoff@csg.org

LAKE TAHOE, CA – Governors, legislators and other leading state officials will gather in Lake Tahoe June 5-8 for The Council of State Governments' 2005 Spring National Committee and Task Force Meetings.

Nearly 500 people have registered for the meetings that bring together state government officias from around the country to trade ideas and share options for solving policy problems common in their states.

On Monday, June 6, CSG Executive Director Daniel M. Sprague will announce the release of a new report that outlines the major long-term trends shaping our society and their implications for state governments. Trends in America: Charting the Course Ahead describes major change drivers that will influence the direction of public policy in the next five years and beyond.

In addition, Comprehensive Approaches to Cancer Control will be released Monday. This tool kit is designed to provide state policy-makers the information and resources they need to champion a more coordinated assault on cancer in their states.

Also on Monday, a report, The Impact of Terrorism on State Law Enforcement, will be released. This publication provides an overview of a 50-state survey that explores the changing roles of state law enforcement since Sept. 11.

Guest speakers during the three-day meeting will discuss a wide range of topics including homeland security, public health, Medicare and electronic waste.

On Tuesday morning two workshops will address two major challenges to states' fiscal viability. "Attacking the Roots of Rising Health Care Costs: Solutions With Staying Power" will provide state leaders with a range of innovative strategies to control health care costs while making people healthier. Then, "School Funding: How are States Dealing with Equity and Adequacy Education Lawsuits?" will offer ways some states have responded to these lawsuits.

For a more detailed agenda and for more information on the meetings visit our Web site at www.csg.org.

Registration for the media is free, but press credentials are required before a meeting badge will be issued. For more information, e-mail Jack Penchoff at jpenchoff@csg.org or call 859-244-8246.

The Council of State Governments is the premier multibranch organization forecasting policy trends for the community of states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis. CSG alerts state elected and appointed officials to emerging social, economic and political trends; offers innovative state policy responses to rapidly changing conditions; and advocates multistate problem-solving to maximize resources and competitiveness. CSG promotes excellence in decision-making and leadership skills and champions state sovereignty.