Twenty-four lieutenant governors will meet in Baltimore, Maryland, from July 29 – 31, 2009, for the Annual Meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA). Speakers include two Presidential Economists, a Presidential candidate, the Maryland Governor, and three federal speakers on topics including transit, water management, and homeland security.
Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. will hear four speakers on education, including best practices in pre-kindergarten and college programming, as well as approaches to increase science and math study and success. Presidential Economic Advisor Cecelia Rouse will provide an economic analysis of various education models.
Health care reform will be addressed by former Presidential candidate Howard Dean and by Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Presidential Economic Advisor to former President Bush. Water remains a premium item nationwide and the lieutenant governor will be briefed on a model interstate compact available to states, as well as a description of the Chesapeake Bay effort as a model for multi-state efforts on water management. A port tour will highlight the role of ports in business, ways to secure ports, and ideas to balance environmental sustainability and commerce.
“Attendees will receive information on Washington D.C. efforts to develop a national broadband policy, an update on Congressional health care form efforts, and will have an opportunity to meet with international representatives from China and Mexico,” said NLGA Director Julia Hurst.
Attendees will also actively participate in an interactive mock StateStat demonstration on state highways which provides a model of accountability and transparency in government applicable to other states and issues. Lieutenant governors will hear testimony and conduct debate on agricultural issues including dairy pricing and camelina sativa as a feed product and on electronics recycling.
“This three-day session is an ideal opportunity for me to efficiently gather cutting edge information and nearly a dozen best practices on a wide range of issues,” said Lt. Governor Folsom, “while networking with colleagues from neighboring states and the region on shared items of local importance.”
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