NCSL Impressions – Rep. Moss
Assistant Minority Whip Carol Spackman Moss
Millcreek
Monday, July 20 – Pre-conference tour: Microsoft School of the Future
Microsoft and Philadelphia City School District partnered to build a 65 million dollar high tech school to serve as a replicable reform model of learning for the 21st Century. It is located in a working class, high crime neighborhood in West Philadelphia. Open, light, and attractive, it sits on eight acres in the middle of rundown row houses and boarded-up shops, a stark contrast for the 650 students, 75% who come from the surrounding neighborhoods, and 25% from other parts of Philadelphia. Opened in 2006 with only 9th graders, the school now has 750 students and will graduate its first class in June 2010.
Microsoft provides laptop computers for every student and teachers use Smart Boards in all the classrooms. The first year they used no textbooks, had no formal core classes, and no grades. Now, four years later, they are moving to grades, block schedules, pairings such as English/Social Studies, and more focus on core curriculum concepts pulled from collaborative (team) projects. The changes have come as a result of the reality that colleges require high school GPA’s and public school students still have to take standardized tests for state and federally mandated accountability measures.
Surveys show that the primary reason students want to attend the School for the Future is for safety, both from other students and for the opportunity to be in a clean, well-maintained building. There are many qualities to praise about the school and the students who escorted us on the tour and answered our questions. Still, the jury is out on whether the management skills and ideals of a private company can be successfully superimposed on students and improve their preparation for the 21st century workforce.
Tuesday, July 21 – General Session: Bill Gates – A Bold New Vision for Education
Bill Gates asserted that the federal stimulus money gives a unique opportunity for creating bold innovations that will create education excellence. He believes that any schools—charter, traditional public, or private, that improve learning and enhance student success, should be replicated. Following up on a previous address at NCSL in Seattle, he reiterated that many of our public schools, high schools in particular, are obsolete and are not going to prepare students for the workplace of the 21st Century. Once again, he emphasized that education is one of our greatest challenges because the stakes are so high. Both our economic future and our quality of life are dependent on our children being well educated.
Tuesday, July 21 – Funding Higher Education in Tight Fiscal Times: Is Performance Funding the Answer?
This session examined the positive and the negative aspects of performance funding which links state funding to institutional goals and has the potential (or not) to target state resources more productively and improve accountability. One particularly salient point was that if we DON’T get kids to finish college, but only attend, it is an economic drain to the state. This is one reason for to consider shifting away from paying only for enrollments. Instead, shift the paradigm: colleges and universities should serve the state’s needs, rather than the state meeting the universities’ needs.
On the negative side: Would performance funding lead institutions to limit enrollment only to higher achieving students which could cause fiscal instability. It could also result in grade inflation.
Two other points: An argument for maintaining tenure for higher education is that older faculty should train younger faculty, not be in competition with them. Also, capping enrollments creates big problems and is usually counter productive in the long term.
Tuesday, July 21 – Education Committee Federal Policy Discussion and Committee Business Meeting
Committee business included an update on federal education issues including a panel discussion on the effectiveness of charter schools. Committee members voted to support policies on early education and charter schools.
*See NCSL website at ncsl.org for complete policy statements. Short summaries are below:
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: NCSL supports early care and education and its benefits, especially in lessening the adverse effects of childhood poverty. Studies dramatically demonstrate that participation in quality early care and education programs can increase the number of young adults who are literate, employed, and enrolled in postsecondary education. Early childhood education, while relatively expensive, shows promise of a high return on investment. NCSL commends the federal government in allowing the states more program choice and fewer mandates in early education.
PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS: I have attached the entire document because of its relevancy to our state’s ongoing policy debates regarding the growth of and funding for charter schools. At the general business meeting, this policy was adopted by a majority vote of the states, but not without some vocal opposition from several states, including Utah. It can be downloaded here.
Tuesday, July 21 – ARRA: Federal Dollars for Education Reform
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act lays out four specific goals for education reform and requires states to make progress toward them. Four experts gave details and state legislators discussed the opportunities and challenges they present. See website for specific details.
Wednesday, July 22 – General Session: The Economy: What’s in Store?
Renowned economists shared their ideas on how to get out of the recession. They all agreed that the economy is slowly recovering and the recession should hit bottom in the next couple of months. After that, they agreed on very little—the stimulus, the need for a second one, and unemployment numbers. They did, however, agree that spending on infrastructure tends to get money into people’s pockets quickly.
Wednesday, July 22—Women’s Legislative Luncheon, Featuring the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center of Philadelphia
The Women’s Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) promotes social and economic self-sufficiency for women by providing training, small business start-up loans, incentive savings programs, and access to a network of resources. It has been a Philadelphia success story.
Wednesday, July 22 – Leading in Turbulent Times
The speaker, Jim Kelly, a former professional football player with the Buffalo Bills (I had never heard of him, but clearly, most of the audience had) was billed as a person who could teach legislators how to enhance their leadership skills, but he simply gave a motivational speech he had probably delivered hundreds of times about his son’s disability from a rare genetic disorder and told how he started a foundation to fund research for the condition. He gave a lot of play by play of football games and detailed his career path.
Thursday, July 23 – The Word From Washington and NCSL Business Meeting
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke spoke about White House initiatives and their impact on the states. I have attached a summary of his remarks. Following his speech the business meeting was conducted and delegates voted on policy positions that will guide NCSL’s advocacy efforts before Congress and the administration. The following states had the most disagreements with the respective positions: Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Texas.
Friday, July 24 – General Session: The Politics of Change – Speaker, Peggy Noonan
Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sibelius, was scheduled to speak on the movement to reform health care. Unfortunately, she had to cancel. (Maybe she heard about Utah legislators who want to opt out of ANY federal health reform legislation and thought it would be a tough crowd.)
Peggy Noonan’s commentary on the personalities of the presidents she has worked for and observed since Ronald Reagan proved to be fascinating. Of course, she was also promoting her latest book, Patriotic Grace: What It Is and Why We Need It.
Friday, July 24 – 21st Century Learning: Moving Beyond School Walls
As moderator of this session, I introduced the presenters and gave a brief description of the expanded learning programs that each had initiated or were instrumental in implementing in their respective states. The presenters were Paul Reville, Secretary of Education of Massachusetts; Representative Nancy F. Stiles, New Hampshire; and Karen Crompton’s counterpart in Rhode Island, Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director of Kids Count in Providence, R.I. Each did a presentation on innovative programs that are helping promote learning outside the school walls, including New Hampshire’s effort that grants high school credit for programs taught by community experts. If anyone would like more information about these programs, I have resource materials and contact information I would be happy to share. Their presentations were followed by Q and A. This was one of the sessions that NCSL videotaped and has posted on their website.
Friday, July 25 – America’s Changing Demographics—What it Means for Policymakers
Paul Taylor of the Pew Research Center gave population projections from 2005 – 2050. He calls them trends, not predictions, but this information will clearly influence voting patterns and future public policy decisions. Taylor referred to the Pew Research Center as a “fact tank,” not a “think tank.” I urge each of you to go to their website at www.pewresearch.org for the most fascinating information you can find anywhere, information that will have a profound influence on political races, strategies, and policy decisions. A few examples: (1) 76% of 2008 voters were white; in 1988 it was 88%. (2) Most illegal immigrants live in households with children. (3) The U.S. fertility rate from 1917-2006 is slightly rising, probably due to immigration (4) Japan, Italy, and Germany have the world’s lowest fertility rates (5) the increase in suburban schools is in the non-white population. (6) Fewer people are changing residences, probably because of the recession and two-income households.
Take a look at this website for more illuminating facts, including cool graphics, particularly maps with interactive features.
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NCSL Highlights – From Minority Leader David Litvack
Minority Leader David Litvack
Salt Lake City
Cost Cutting Strategies in Corrections
This session highlighted the experiences of three states (Pennsylvania, Colorado & Connecticut) in addressing the high costs of Corrections and the impact on state budgets.
In general, the conversation focused on three primary strategies to reducing costs associated with prisons and jails, while not compromising public safety or the holding of offenders accountable for criminal behavior:
- Finding cost-savings through operating efficiencies
- Reducing Recidivism
- Examining Sentencing and Release Policies
Cost Saving Strategies in Medicaid
This session focused on creative ways in which states are addressing the impact of the Medicaid on the overall state budget. What was particularly valuable and relevant for Utah policy was the discussion on payment reform as a means to help provide better care to those on Medicaid and save critical dollars. In other words, saving money does not need to be simply a choice of providing or reducing important services. There are ways to accomplish cost-savings without compromising the care of Medicaid recipients.
Repeal of the Death Penalty: Two States Experiences
This session focused on the experiences of New Jersey and New Mexico’s recent repeal of the Death Penalty in their respective states. Many states are now considering repealing or limiting the use of the death penalty to the most egregious situations in exchange for a Life Sentence without the Possibility of Parole. The discussion highlighted the high costs of the death penalty, the impact on victims and victims’ families of the lengthy process, the moral dilemma of “state-sanctioned killing” and concerns that have arisen about innocence and the death penalty as a result of the advent of DNA evidence.
Health Care Reform in States
This session highlighted the experiences of three state efforts in Health Care Reform (Massachusetts, Utah and Pennsylvania). This session was very timely as the health care reform debate takes shape nationally.
A Green Economy
This session focused on the evolving partnership between economic development and environmental protection and sustainability. This session looked at the value to the economy and the environment of the “Green Industry” and the partnership that is forming between these interests throughout the United States. Of particular interest was the discussion of the role community colleges and other institutions of higher education can and must play in developing programs to train and provide the necessary skills to students in this growing movement.
Moving the Middle on Equality for Gay and Lesbian Americans
This session took a closer look at what was defined as the “movable middle”; 46% of Americans that are not on either extremes of the Gay Rights debate (i.e., Pro or Con). The “movable middle” has a more nuanced view of Gay Rights that revolves around tradition and change. It is this segment of the population that truly holds the key on advancement in equal rights for Gay and Lesbian Americans.
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NCSL – From Representative Lynn Hemingway
Representative Lynn Hemingway Holladay During the week I attended many interesting sessions. I am a member of the Energy and Agriculture Committee so the first two days were attending committee meetings. The topics were Underground storage of Co2 (Sequestration), clean coal technology, the Presidents energy plan (Cap and Trade). We also talked about the effects of energy on rural America. The committee agrees with the President on Global warming. They also agree that the power industry needs to be more aggressive and more flexible regarding Power Generation. The issue of Carbon Sequestration is a mess. Everyone knows that it will be difficult and seem to agree that it will also be expensive. There are no easy answers. It will take some imagination to try to solve, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Power Generation is another exciting subject if you are a nerd like me. In a meeting late in the week, Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy, and a FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) Commissioner debated ways to solve the Clean and Renewable Energy conundrum. Jim is probably the only really progressive Energy CEO in the country. He has identified several ways to generate power by placing solar units on individual homes and buying back the excess power from his own customers. His company assists with the cost and installation of the units through low cost loans that can be repaid by the cost of the excess power that is produced. They are also working on a project to replace old roofs with white roofs to reflect the suns rays and help cool the home. I hope these are things that our power company is working on. Health care: I attended a senior and disabled health care discussion regarding allowing Seniors to receive care in their homes and stay out of Nursing Homes. There are great resources available at WWW.eldercare.gov. The statistics are staggering about the elderly and disabled and how they are cared for. The above web site has great information. My observation of the conference in general was positive. Most legislators in the country believe the President is doing the right thing for the economy, Healthcare, and Energy. The resolutions that were passed support a lot more liberal and progressive point of view than what you will see and hear in Utah. I actually felt like there was hope for our country to do some things right.
NCSL – Impressions from Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck
From Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck
Salt Lake City
Using an Alternative Population Base for Redrawing Districts
A few states alter the data delivered by the U.S. Census Bureau before using it draw district boundaries by reallocating special populations such as students and military personnel. Some states have looked at adjusting the data to alter where incarcerated persons are counted. What are the legal and technical issues regarding changing the population base for redistricting.
Peter Wagner, Executive Director from the Prison Policy Initiative in Massachusetts
Refer to this link: http://www.prisonersofthecensus.org/
Take away: Wagner advocates for prisoners being counted based on their home communities (where they have been living or are likely return after their incarceration) versus being counted in prison. The later may provide greater disenfranchisement for prisoners as the needs of the community where they are being incarcerated may not be reflective of his/her home community. Wagner presented a case where a city council district’s boundaries were drawn and the only non-prison residents were a few farm owners, yet, since the count for the district included the prison it ended up having a councilperson = to that of a district with thousands of non-prisoners.
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The Economy: What’s In Store
Panelists presented their take on current status of the economy; how the stimulus money will or won’t help: Simon Johnson, of MITs Sloan School of Management; David Wyss, chief economist at Standard & Poor’s and David Cohen, executive vice president of Comcast, corporate communications and government affairs.
Refer to this link: www. Baselinescenario.com
Take away: Wyss believes that the recession is not over yet, but we are nearing the bottom, however he projects a sluggish upturn. Unemployment is the biggest problem; although the pace of layoffs is receding. Problem is, people cannot find new jobs once they are laid off. Continuing downturn in labor force participation is more acute in urban areas. Cohen is seeing “fear” in folks who are employed. They are dropping seeming luxuries such as cable service in the fear that they will be laid off. They are starting to save more, but during a recession this is not necessarily helpful: “the paradox of thrift.”
Wyss: the stimulus shouldn’t have gone to the states because it’s taking longer for it to kick in. Stimulus has to be: timely, targeted and temporary, the last one was none of the above.
Wyss advice to states: take as few actions as possible that run counter to implementing projects that use the stimulus, “get out of the way of the stimulus funding. SPEND RESERVES versus laying off people; shore up safety net services, don’t let the bottom fall out from under folks; try to be as facilitating of recovery as we can be. Get money out the door. Spend to stimulate the economy: annual capital budgets should be ramped up. Repair old facilities and incorporate green building strategies.
For global fixes: we need global standardization and modernization of regulations; we are stuck using regulations established in the 1930s.
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Legislator Training Track: How to be an Effective Committee Chair
Take away: Being genuine with the public and colleagues (eye contact);
- Control: includes how one handles the agenda, debate, colleagues and audience
- Fairness: ensuring that everyone understands the process and protocols as well as time allocated for public testimony
Put together social functions to help committee members facilitate a collaborative environment. ID the top three goals of the committee and make sure members stick to them (what are their individual goals, why are they on the committee, know this, too). Pass out guidelines/norms for the committee members that go beyond rules, helps with consistency. Assign committee members to put together information and backgrounders to assist with committee work (consider and utilize their expertise and interests).
Use humor; bring the “humanity” back to the process.
Prepare thoughts for use at the end of the day/meeting when the media asks you questions. Oftentimes we are all so spent and tired after committee meetings (especially heated ones) that “exhaustion makes you say dumb things.”
One committee chair prohibits use of laptops by committee member during the meetings. Meet ahead of time with members who have a tendency to get out of hand (or who use the meetings as a soapbox versus interaction with public and experts who are testifying). As chair, hold back from debating with folks who are testifying…you set the tone. Reserve the right to comment at the end to make chair’s comments (avoid surprises), but don’t get into it with folks during the meeting: Bad form.
Take a break if you think things are getting out of control or use your gavel to regain control. Consider setting up meetings totally dedicated to a potentially controversial issue so other agenda items aren’t short changed.
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Treating Violence as a Public Health Crisis
Interesting discussion: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has issued reports on this topic at:
However, the discussion got co-opted when an Illinois Senator used the session to inform attendees of his displeasure with the Ceasefire program (one of the highlighted programs of the session); had a contentious relationship with the founder of the program because he feels the program has been a waste of money for their state. I felt many elements of the program were promising, but as with anything, would recommend due diligence in researching whether we’d want to use the program in Utah. Ceasefire has been evaluated independently by the Department of Justice.
Take away: RWJ folks have funded a program called Playworks, www.playworks.org,
that works with schools who have a lot of children who exhibit playground aggression. They send a staffer who teaches the teachers and students how to organize their playtime. The challenge is that many kids who have grown in dysfunctional homes don’t know how to play; they either model violent behavior that they see at home or on TV… they deal negatively with their need to be physical and get energy out, they just don’t know how to do it. The playworks staffer assists teachers in organizing structured play and teach the kids how to resolve conflict in a productive manner.
COCHS is a program that provides a process where parolees have preventative health care that starts in prison and then links them to a medical home upon release. Here’s the link to their website: www.cochs.org
Ceasefire www.ceasefirechicago.org uses public health protocol that treats violence within a community the same as any other epidemic would be handled. This includes sending a team of advocates (former gang members) who go to the hospital to intervene with the victim’s family right after a shooting in order to diffuse retaliatory behavior, follows this protocol:
- Interrupt transmission
- ID highest potential transmitters
- Change group norms
The paradigm of violence takes time to change but the notion is that the community begins to work toward not accepting the violence (basic community organizing strategies). The strategies have been used previously in a Boston program, Operation Ceasefire so experts have mixed opinions about the Chicago program and its director. Here’s a recent Governing article on the program: http://13thfloor.governing.com/2008/05/is-urban-violen.html
Read MoreNCSL – National Conference of State Legislators
In July of 2009, several members of the Utah House of Representatives attended the NCSL meetings in Philadelphia. Utah House Democrats who attended these meetings would like to share our impressions with you. In the following days, we will posting our thoughts and impressions of the meetings this year, and welcome your feedback.
Best regards,
The Democratic Caucus
The Utah House of Representatives