Summary Report 65Th Annuannuaal Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference

summary report 65th AnnuAnnuaal Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference

Memphis, Tennessee | July 16-20, 2011

Southern Legi sl ative Conferen c e o f T h e C o u n c i l o f S t a t e G o v e r n m e n t s August 2011 From the 2010-2011 SLC Chair

This year’s SLC annual meeting reinforced my belief that the Southern Legislative Confer- ence truly is the premier public policy gathering in the South and an organization in touch with the needs of our region.

In addition to convening more than 25 substantive policy sessions, the SLC embarked on two Inside: major undertakings which reflect the unity and cohesiveness of our region. In an effort to From the Chair...... 2 address the important issue of food insecurity and provide a service to the Mid-South Food Hunger in the South...... 3 Bank, SLC members packaged an unprecedented 20,000 meals in less than 90 minutes. Ad- ditionally, the SLC provided financial support to the local area chapters of the American Red SLC & Committee Leadership...... 4 Cross that coordinated relief efforts in six of our member states that were ravaged by the Program Highlights...... 5 spring storms. This outpouring of friendship by our members for our sister states is a testa- ment to the strength and unity of the Southern Legislative Conference. Meeting Summaries agriculture & Rural Development. . . . 6 economic Development, Our summary of program highlights provides a glimpse of the breadth and depth of the top- ics discussed at the SLC Annual Meeting. Over the four days of the gathering, policymak- transportation & Cultural Affairs. . . . 8 ers participated in conversations on the most pressing issues facing states today and provided education...... 10 concrete recommendations on where solutions can be found. What cannot be captured on energy & Environment...... 12 these pages, and what consistently makes the Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative fiscal Affairs & Government Conference the premier gathering of state officials anywhere, are the innumerable, produc- Operations...... 14 tive conversations among legislators, sharing experiences and opinions, that reinforce the human Services & Public Safety. . . . . 16 collective cause of bettering government. gulf Coast & Atlantic States Task Force...... 18 I hope you find this summary a useful introduction to the work of the Conference while in Legislative Service Agency Memphis. I invite you to visit us on the web at www.slcalanta.org to learn more about the pre- Directors...... 19 sentations and activities from the meeting, and I hope to see you in Charleston, West Virgin- technical Tours...... 20 ia, next year as the SLC continues to assist policymakers in charting a strong course forward. Conference Notes...... 21 Sponsors...... 22 Sincerely, Host State Committee & Staff...... 23 SLC 2012 in West Virginia...... 24

Southern Legislative Conference

The Council of State Governments

P.O. Box 98129 Atlanta, Georgia 30359 404/633-1866

www.slcatlanta.org

Serving the south Representative Billy Broomfield, Mississippi, SLC Chair Elect, Speaker Richard Thompson, West Virginia, SLC Chair 2011-2012, and Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, Tennessee, SLC Chair 2010-2011 2 The SLC Annual Meeting Takes on Hunger in the South

While the economic downturn of the Great Recession has contribut- ed substantially to this plight so unfamiliar to one of the world’s most wealthiest nations – a country where our ability to feed millions is un- paralleled and we enjoy the lowest food costs in the world– millions of American families’ financial resources already were stretched beyond their ability to access the barest of necessities - food.

According to Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger relief charity, the number of people being served by its network of pantries, kitchens and shelters rose 46 percent between 2005 and 2009. The nonprofit reports that in 2009 alone, 14.7 percent of households, represent- ing more than 50 million Americans, were food insecure, meaning they did not always have access to enough food to meet basic needs.

Food insecurity, which affects individuals across the country, dis- proportionately impacts the South, where Arkansas, Georgia, Mis- sissippi, North Carolina, and Texas have significantly higher rates of household food insecurity than the national average. This phenom- enon is more alarming in rural areas– known as food deserts –where the cost of food typically is higher, food banks are fewer, and the problem is widely hidden.

In a dual effort to confront and eliminate food insecurity in the region, the SLC organized an expert panel to provide an overview of the issue and to discuss the collaboration among public and private entities un- derway. Attendees were given an opportunity to “take action against hunger” by packaging an unprecedented 20,000 meals for distribution to families in need in the mid-South region during a 90-minute food drive challenge. The effort far exceeded expectation, completing the task in just over half the amount of time alloted.

3 2011-2012 Conference and Committee leadership conference Leadership

Speaker Richard Thompson Representative Billy Broomfield Representative Keith Ingram Senator Mark Norris West Virginia, Chair Mississippi, Chair Elect Arkansas, Vice Chair Tennessee, Immediate Past Chair Committee Leadership economic development, Agriculture & Rural development transportation & Cultural affairs

Representative Terry England Senator Joey Pendleton Representative Billy Broomfield Senator Bill Sample Georgia, Chair Kentucky, Vice Chair Mississippi, Chair Arkansas, Vice Chair education energy & Environment

Representative Sara Thomas Senator Ken Yager Representative Chuck E. Martin Representative Denny Altes Mississippi, Chair Tennessee, Vice Chair Georgia, Chair Arkansas, Vice Chair fiscal affairs & Government operations human services & public safety

Representative James R. “Jim” Fannin Representative Randy McDaniel Representative Sharon Cooper Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr. Louisiana, Chair Oklahoma, Vice Chair Georgia, Chair Virginia, Vice Chair GULF COAST & ATLANTIC STATES REGIONAL TASK FORCE lEGISLATIVE sERVICE aGENCY dIRECTORs Senator David Baria Jerry Bassett, Director Mississippi, Presiding Officer Legislative Reference Service, Alabama Chair

4 Program Highlights

The South and the nation are facing challenges that will define a generation. During four days in July, meeting in Mem- phis, legislators from across the South joined together with policy experts to discuss, review, and consider the opportunities that exist to bring prosperity and promise to states and communities in the region.

In addition to presentations and dialogue on substantive issues, each standing committee of the Southern Legislative Conference conducted a roundtable discussion and summary of legislative activities from the 2011 session, elected officers for the committee, and considered any policy positions that were presented for adoption by members. Presentations from committee sessions, where available, and attendance lists for committee sessions can be found on the SLC website at www.slcatlanta.org/TN2011.

5 Agriculture & Rural Development Committee meeting summary

Sunday, July 17 The Impact of Commodity Prices on the Farm Economy and a Farm Bill Outlook Darryl Ray, Ph.D., Professor & Blasingame Chair of Excellence, Director of Agricultural Policy Analysis Center, University of Tennessee Pat Westhoff, Ph.D., Director, Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, Missouri

Representative Terry England MonDay, July 18 Georgia Immigration Reform and Agriculture Chair Charles H. Kuck, Managing Partner, Kuck Immigration Partners LLC--The Immigration Law Firm, Georgia Francine Hill, Deputy Chief, Outreach Branch, Verification Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C. Rural Food Deserts Steph Larsen, Assistant Director of Organizing, Rural Organizing and Outreach Program, Center for Rural Affairs, Nebraska Animal ID Update Taylor Woods, DVM, Director, Animal Health, Missouri Department of Agriculture

Commodity Prices and the for this sector of the agriculture economy, Agricultural Economy thereby increasing farm income. Animal Commodity prices, which essentially have producers, however, are feeling the pinch doubled over the past year, have provided as input costs rise and the economy cuts in- immediate benefits for crop producers. Even to demand, putting some out of business. In as fuel and input costs have risen, the higher the long term, cost pressures will cause both market rates have delivered strong returns crop and livestock production to become concentrated into larger operations, leading producers domestically and internationally to expand output to the greatest possible ex- tent to maximize benefits from the current price situation.

While high prices are a trigger for increased production, increased production inevita- bly leads to price declines. Furthermore, the long-range trend is for increased production outside of the United States, with foreign nations claiming ever-increasing shares of the global commodity trade. This situation will only exacerbate the tendency for commodity markets to swing unpredictably, resulting in greater disconnects between farm receipts and outlays.

Farm policy, as outlined in the next Farm Bill, will be shaped by the recent debate over the debt ceiling, with many farm payments (such as direct payment) at risk, and some (such as the ethanol tax credit) almost cer- tainly eliminated. The bulk of farm pay- Representative Leonard Bembry, Florida ments has shifted to crop insurance and 6 conservation, a development that makes crop payments a less significant part of the overall federal role in the agriculture economy.

A key problem the agriculture sector in the United States faces is that national agriculture policy does not provide sufficient protection in an economic contraction even as it is overly generous during expansionary pe- riods. Planning for variability and establishing a policy that responds well to downturns is critical, particularly as agriculture emerg- es from a boom in commodity prices into an anticipated downward adjustment.

Immigration Reform and Agriculture. The United States is in the midst of a com- Representative Phil Richardson, Oklahoma, Representative Gene Maddox, Georgia, plex realignment on immigration. The fed- and Representative Ellis Black, Georgia eral government essentially has abdicated much of its responsibility (but not its authority) to manage immigration and, in this vac- widely accepted among agricultural oper- National Animal ID Update uum, states have taken action unilaterally. ations. First proposed in 2003, the National Animal Beginning in 2008, vigorous federal enforce- ID system was created to provide a means of ment of immigration laws has cut inflows As an example of state initiatives, Utah’s ‘traceback’ for animals affected with zoonot- of immigrants and expanded deportations; immigration reform required the use of E- ic diseases through the food system; improve in fact, the federal government is deporting verify and proposed a state-operated guest response time; and minimize costs following as many individuals as its resources allow. worker program in concert with the federal the identification of a diseased animal. To be The combined impact of state and federal ac- government. Neither Congress nor the ad- effective, the system must have information tion essentially has been to stop immigration ministration have indicated any interest in on individual animals automatically cap- from Mexico, resulting in a net negative flow extending flexibility to states, however. It is tured and transferred, typically through tags from the South. critical to the national agriculture labor is- with radio-frequency identification. sues that a comprehensive solution emerg- At the same time, perhaps as many as 70 per- es from Congress. The National Animal ID system is being ap- cent of workers in agriculture are undoc- plied to a range of species, including live- umented and, due to changes to the federal Rural Food Deserts stock, poultry and aquaculture, with limited law dating back to the 1990s, lack any means There are a great number of rural places exemptions. The program is being phased to become legal. Combined with a trend that do not have grocery stores and many in over three steps: (1) tagging of animals among even those Hispanic workers who rural residents who lack access to transpor- 18-months of age and older; (2) 70 percent are legal choosing to avoid states with strict- tation, placing these individuals in a ten- compliance; and (3) all animals in the system. er enforcement, agricultural employers cur- uous situation in regard to buying food. Monitoring will begin in 2012 with step one; rently face a labor crunch that is extreme in Moreover, many rural grocery stores do not the final phase is scheduled for completion several states. accept federal food benefits, which results within two to three years. in seniors and low-income residents being Farmers who turn to the H2A visa for relief unable to access their food aid locally. This discover that the program often is too com- results in the allocated federal monies by- plex and does not get the right people at the passing those rural communities. right time. The program, which involves three government agencies, is too slow for Rural grocery stores are keystone institu- the realities of the farm economy and in- tions for economic development, but they creases the labor costs for producers without are dependent on community members to any certainty that the labor provided will ei- support them with their purchases and, ther arrive on the farm or be able to do the at times, their labor. By focusing efforts tasks. E-verify, the federal program capable to sustain and revitalize these stores, ru- of electronically confirming the work status ral communities often find they reap unex- of 98 percent of potential employees within pected benefits, including improved health, 24 hours, has been promoted in many states. stronger local economies and better pros- However, the program, while providing ini- pects for retaining young people. tial clearance for employees, has not been

7 economic development, transportation & Cultural affairs Committee meeting summary

Monday, July 18 Promoting Rail Transit in America Senator Jeff Mullis, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee, Georgia John Robert Smith, President and CEO, Reconnecting America, Washington, D.C. Transportation Logistics: Critical for Economic Development Delegate Joe T. May, Chair, House Transportation Committee, Virginia Martin Lipinski, Ph.D., Director, Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute, University of Memphis, Tennessee Senator John R. Unger II West Virginia Peter Hurme, Publisher and Senior Editor, Cargo Business News, Washington Chair Tuesday, July 19 Attracting Foreign Direct Investment: Strategies from the German American Chamber of Commerce Steven Markham, Vice Chairman, The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States (GACC South), Georgia Leveraging the Arts and the Creative Economy as an Economic Development Tool Stuart Rosenfeld, Ph.D., Principal and Founder, Regional Technology Strategies, Inc., North Carolina Susan Schadt, President and CEO, ArtsMemphis, Tennessee

Promoting Rail Transit in America crease, on which Georgians will vote in the There has been renewed interest in promot- 2012 elections. While individual counties ing rail transit in the United States both at cannot opt out, if the tax is approved in a par- the federal and state level, including in the ticular region, local governments in that re- state of Georgia, which is exploring expand- gion would share 15 percent of the revenues ing its transportation options. An important for projects of their choice. The other 85 per- measure related to this effort was the passage cent would be used to fund the list of proj- of the Transportation Investment Act in June ects created by each region’s transportation 2010. Elected officials in each of the state’s roundtable. Based on revenue numbers from 12 regions will develop a list of projects to be 2009, a 1 percent sales tax is expected to gen- funded by a proposed 1 percent sales tax in- erate more than $1.5 billion per year.

8 Attracting Foreign Direct Investment: Strategies from the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC South) The GACC South is a consulting services company serving primarily small-to medium-sized businesses with German ties (along with numerous large companies such as Thys- senKrupp, Wacker, Siemens, Bosch, T-Mobile, BMW, Mercedes, Bertelsmann, Bayer, BASF and Adidas) by providing assistance related to market entry and expansion services; business representation; human resources and recruiting; debt collection; market research; administration and back- office operations; event management and marketing services; project management and development ser- Stuart Rosenfeld, Regional Technology Strategies, Inc., Representative Billy Broomfield, Mississippi, and Susan Schadt, Arts Memphis vices; delegation planning; and other out- sourced services. In 2010, German-owned affiliates employed 203,800 workers within There often is the misconception that small gional settings do not have a cohesive freight the SLC and accounted for 11 percent of the towns and rural areas do not need to focus on policy, and the expansion of the Panama Ca- 5.6 million jobs created by foreign-owned expanding transportation options. This is a nal, scheduled for completion by 2014, will companies in the United States. grave mistake and, thanks to organizations pose tremendous challenges to ports in the like Reconnecting America, public and pri- SLC states unless infrastructure projects are Leveraging the Arts and the vate sector officials across the country are re- implemented swiftly. In order to promote Creative Economy as an vitalizing and advancing rural towns. In fact, progress in Memphis, it is critical that both Economic Development Tool these decisions have led to improving roads public and private officials recognize the cru- A ‘creative enterprise’ is any company for and bridges; allowing local officials to par- cial link between transportation and eco- which the primary value of its products or ticipate in planning; shifting the movement nomic development; form critical, effective services is rooted in their emotional or aes- of goods from highways to freight rail; and partnerships; and adhere to an outlined vi- thetic appeal to the customer. An increasing providing rural connectivity through multi- sion while thinking nationally (and region- amount of research and case studies docu- modal solutions. A great example of such a ally) and acting locally. ment the ability of the creative economy— development is the success of Meridian, Mis- blending with the arts and cultural attributes sissippi, in transforming its downtown and Virginia made the most significant effort to of a region, state and city—to generate broad- rail station to a thriving and economically enhance its transportation infrastructure in based, sustained economic growth. While viable community by deploying an array of more than a generation during the 2011 leg- the creative economy is a major job generator, public and private partners. islative session with the passage of HB2527 it generally is undervalued and increasingly and SB1446, bipartisan legislation to invest overlaps with other business clusters. Mem- Transportation Logistics: nearly $4 billion into Virginia’s road, rail phis is a city that places a great deal of em- Critical for Economic and transit networks and fund more than phasis on deploying the arts as a catalyst for Development 900 projects over the next three years with- economic growth and has seen concrete re- There is a critical link between efficient and out raising taxes. The enhancements in- sults in terms of revitalizing neighborhoods; effective transportation logistics and a thriv- clude improvements to bridges and rural growing communities; attracting and retaining economic environment. Memphis ranks roads in Southwest Virginia, new capacity ing talent; and driving innovative thinking. high nationally with a multi-modal strate- and congestion relief in Northern Virginia gy that includes flourishing rail, air, river and Hampton Roads, and rail and transit im- and roadway options along with impressive provements throughout Virginia. Analysts warehouse and distribution facilities. The estimate that economic activity stimulated Memphis metropolitan area has achieved by the 900 projects will enable the Virgin- such distinction with its multi-modal ca- ia economy to expand by more than $13 bil- pabilities because of a collaborative effort lion and support an additional 100,000 jobs. among multiple entities, both public and pri- Funding for the projects will flow from the vate. In fact, Memphis’ prowess as a trans- issuance of nearly $3 billion in bonds and the portation and logistics hub remains a model new Virginia Transportation Infrastructure for other regional settings across the coun- Bank that will make low-interest loans and try, a development that should be adopted grants to localities, transportation authori- sooner rather than later. Most states and re- ties and private sector partners for transportation projects. 9 education Committee meeting summary

Sunday, July 17 Putting Students First Michelle Rhee, Founder and CEO, StudentsFirst, Washington, D.C. Monday, July 18 School Choice: Policy Options and Recent Research Margaret Raymond, Ph.D., Director, Center for Research on Educational Outcomes, Stanford University, California Representative Tommy Benton Georgia Marissa Canatta, Ph.D., Associate Director, National Center on School Choice, Vanderbilt Chair University, Tennessee

Putting Students First After years of working to affect change from Enacting meaningful reforms requires edu- outside the system, the education reform cators and government officials to look for movement has become central to the enter- solutions outside of established ideology. By prise of educating America’s school children. shifting the focus to what is best for children, At the heart of education reform is a focus the conversation over controversial issues, on putting students and their needs first. To such as vouchers and teacher tenure, be- promote excellence in education, it is nec- comes very different. Crafting a system that essary to shift schools to a culture of con- recognizes and rewards the best teachers and nection, collaboration and competition for identifies those who are in need of improve- excellence. Engaging children and families ment, and either quickly accelerates their in this manner helps to direct attention to- professional skills or moves them out of the ward necessary improvements and ensure classroom, helps to advance the opportu- that measures of progress and performance nities for all children. Eventually, this ap- are used to guide instruction and the alloca- proach will create a system that ensures that tion of resources. all learners achieve their full potential.

Michelle Rhee, Students First

10 Representative Tommy Benton, Georgia, Committee Chair (front right) School Choice: Policy Options and Recent Research Charter schools were developed to serve as schools share a greater amount of common- centers for innovation and, through compe- ality in staffing practice than would be ex- tition, spur traditional schools to offer better pected, including the amount of time spent service to the students who attend them. As on specific tasks by principals and teachers, the movement marks 20 years, there is suf- although differences do appear. Principals ficient history and experience with these in charter schools tend to place greater em- schools to begin investigating their impacts phasis in their hiring process on selecting and practices, as well as what the movement teachers they can ask to assume addition- means for education in general. al responsibilities and less on those who are able to work with students with special needs In recent research from the Center for Re- or academic challenges. According to the research on Education Outcomes at Stanford search, teachers at charter schools often view University, national data found consider- the schools as less desirable places to work or able variation among charter schools, with as places to gain experience before moving on 17 percent performing better than tradition- to other settings. Reflecting this, about one- al schools and 37 percent performing worse. third of the charter school workforce is in The variations were striking at the state lev- its first three years of teaching and turnover el as well as within states, pointing to signif- rates are higher than average. The exception icant contributors to school quality that were to this is at charter schools that are not affil- unrelated to school population. iated with a management organization, i.e., where teachers often have sought out work There are, however, certain state policies that at that charter school. correlate with improved charter school performance, including the absence of a cap on In terms of teaching practices, teachers at the number of charter schools that can op- charter schools spend more time on academ- erate in a state and the presence of only one ic work and collaboration than their matched authorizer for charter schools. On the other peers in traditional schools, although teach- hand, research also indicates that the market er instruction at both types of schools looks works very poorly at forcing poor-perform- relatively similar, unsurprisingly, since both ing charters to improve or close, with a high are teaching to meet the same state standards. number of charter schools performing poor- There are differences among charter schools ly but still in operation. This would indicate in terms of the cognitive demands made upon a need for a mix of incentives and oversight students, with those not affiliated with man- – particularly on charter authorizers – to im- agement organizations spending more time prove charter school quality. on the lowest cognitive level and less on higher order skills than traditional public schools. Other research on charter schools by the Na- tional Center on School Choice at Vanderbilt University finds that charter and traditional 11 Energy & Environment Committee meeting summary

Sunday, July 17 Nuclear Energy in a Post-Fukushima World Victor McCree, Regional Administrator, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Georgia H. Richard Rogers, Vice President of Nuclear Operations Support, Tennessee Valley Authority Cheri Collins, General Manager for External Affairs, Southern Nuclear Company, Georgia Alternative Energy from Waste Plastics Marco J. Castaldi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York Representative Chuck E. Martin Monday, July 18 Georgia Chair Renewable Energy: Innovations in Production, Storage and Transportation Representative Warren Chisum, Texas Jimmy Glotfelty, Executive Vice President of External Affairs, Clean Line Energy Partners, Texas Presentation of the Southern States Energy Board’s 2011 Legislative Digest Representative Rocky Adkins, Kentucky

Nuclear Energy in a Post- Fukushima World United States are designed to withstand cat- Following the March 2011 earthquake and astrophic events, continuous review of fa- tsunami in Japan, the resulting meltdowns cilities, equipment, plans and procedures is and the release of radioactive materials at the imperative to continued safety and reliabil- Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, there has ity. Sharing information in order to better been renewed public interest in ensuring the understand the weaknesses in the Fukushi- safety of the 104 nuclear power plants oper- ma plant has become a priority for the in- ating in the United States. The U.S. Nucle- dustry and has assisted with the evaluation of ar Regulatory Commission (NRC), which is future potential vulnerabilities. Apart from assessing the status of nuclear energy pro- environmental and public safety threats, en- duction throughout the nation, has found no suring electricity reliability is an important significant issues that would undermine the objective for the industry, especially for a na- confidence in continued safety and emergen- tion that relies on nuclear production for 20 cy planning for U.S. plants. NRC has identi- percent of its electricity. In addition to being fied deficiencies in equipment and strategic cost-competitive and clean, nuclear power upgrades that could mitigate threats brought provides fuel diversity, which is important to about by natural or man-made hazards. The reliability. Also, expansion of nuclear energy NRC also has established a special task force can be a key economic development mecha- to evaluate the procedures used for regulat- nism, particularly during a time of economic ing, issuing licenses, providing oversight, strife. For instance, the $14 billion expan- conducting research and responding to emer- sion of Plant Vogtle in Georgia, where two gencies. Further, the NRC issued a report new reactors are planned to come online in with 12 overarching recommendations for 2016 and 2017, is the largest construction decision-making and long-term responses to project in the state’s history. By its comple- disasters that threaten current nuclear safety. tion, it will have created approximately 3,500 construction jobs, as well as 800 permanent The nuclear industry has responded to re- jobs, and yield a combined energy output ca- cent developments in Japan in a similar pacity of 2,400 megawatts, enough to power fashion. Although all nuclear plants in the 500,000 homes.

12 Victor McCree, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Representative Chuck E. Martin, Georgia, Committee Chair, Senator Denny Altes, Arkansas, Committee Vice Chair

Alternative Energy from Renewable Energy: Waste Plastics Innovations in Given the ever-increasing pressure to move Production, Storage and away from overreliance on fossil fuels, de- Transportation veloping innovative ways of utilizing exist- Perhaps the most vexing challenge to the fu- ing renewable and indigenous fuel sources ture of clean energy in the United States is is becoming more important. Converting the issue of accessibility. The existence of municipal solid waste (MSW) into energy robust transmission systems for transport- is an example of such an innovation. There ing renewable energy from where it is pro- are four main methods for the disposal of duced to where it is consumed is central to MSW: recycling, composting (for organic this concern. New innovations, such as the compounds), landfills and converting them use of high-voltage direct current trans- to energy. Recycling is growing; nearly 95 mission lines that can move large amounts percent of all U.S. households now have ac- of electricity over long distances, have im- cess to plastic recycling programs, and more proved efficiency and reliability. Expan- than 4 billion pounds of plastics are recycled sion of transmission capability prompts the annually. While this movement has signif- growth of production, simply by increasing icant environmental impacts, there are still the ability to use renewable energy in areas large amounts of non-compostable and non- in which it would not otherwise be feasible. recyclable plastics being sent to landfills. Such developments are vital, not only to the With a 12,000 Btu-per-pound ratio, there is growth of the industry, but to job creation a large potential for energy inherent in plas- and the future of the U.S. economy. tics, greater than even coal or wood. For instance, if all plastics in MSW that went to Presentation of the landfills in 2009 were converted to fuel, it Southern States Energy would be enough to power 6 million vehicles Board’s 2011 Legislative or provide power to 4.5 million households. Digest As technology improves through research, The Legislative Digest is a compilation of risks associated with capital costs of invest- energy and environmental legislation en- ing in waste-to-energy projects are decreas- acted by Southern states, published by the ing. For this reason, it is important that states Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) for ensure that such innovations are covered un- more than four decades. The 2011 SSEB der renewable portfolio standards, renewable Legislative Digest is available online at fuel standards, or other incentive programs www.sseb.org/reference.php. for alternative energy ventures.

13 fiscal affairs & government operations Committee meeting summary

Sunday, July 17 Poised to Take Off? U.S. Economy in 2011 and Beyond Tim Nicholls, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, International Paper, Tennessee Effective Debt Management Policies: Efforts in Tennessee Justin P. Wilson, Comptroller of the Treasury, Tennessee Monday, July 18 Representative James R. “Jim” Fannin Public Pension Challenges: Responses from Oklahoma Louisiana Chair Representative Randy McDaniel, Oklahoma Modifying Public Pensions: Legal and Other Challenges Amy B. Monahan, Professor, University of Minnesota Law School E-Commerce and State Finances: Latest Trends William F. Fox, Ph.D., Director and Professor of Economics, Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at The University of Tennessee at Knoxville David W. Hoyle, Secretary, Department of Revenue, North Carolina

Poised to Take Off? U.S. indicator of potential economic growth—has Economy in 2011 and Beyond been transformed by demand from China, A global company like International Paper is which, in 2010, exceeded total demand from uniquely positioned to anticipate the growth the rest of the world. trajectory of the economy both in the Unit- ed States and worldwide. Despite being buf- Effective Debt Management feted by the longest and deepest recession to Policies: Efforts in afflict the nation in more than 60 years, In- Tennessee ternational Paper has emerged with strong In the last few years, a number of local gov- earnings and positive cash flow; entered the ernments around the country—including recovery phase without excess inventory; some in Tennessee—have been forced to and, importantly, recovered from the price grapple with enormous financial liabilities as erosion experienced during the Great Reces- a result of taking on risky debt instruments sion. As in many other settings, box demand to pay for schools, roads and other projects. in the global containerboard industry—a key In response, the Office of the Comptroller

Representative Mike Sparks, Tennessee 14 of the Treasury in Tennessee initiated measures to adopt a model debt management policy as a mechanism to reduce the incidence of local governments contending with significant financial liabilities. The following four principles rank high in the quest for strong financial management in the public sector: understanding the transaction; explaining to citizens what is being considered; avoid- ing conflicts of interest; and disclosing all costs and risks (real and potential). In addition, at a minimum, sound debt management policy should include transparency; clear de- marcation of the role of financial professionals; minimum or no conflict of interest issues; and, finally, specific justification and authorization for deferring principal repayments.

Public Pension Challenges: Amy B. Monahan, University of Minnesota Law School Responses from Oklahoma Oklahoma, like many other states, faces substantial public pension challenges. The un- trict court held that there was no reasonable North Carolina approaches the taxation of funded actuarial accrued liability for the expectation of a particular COLA; no con- e-commerce as a fairness issue. In terms of state’s major pension systems currently tract based on statutory language; that even levying sales taxes, the state seeks to ensure amounts to more than $16 billion. In 2011, if there was a contract, the change was justi- that e-commerce companies, such as Ama- under the leadership of House Speaker Kris fied based on the state’s authority; and that zon, are treated in the same manner as brick- Steele, the state enacted important reform the decision was part of a broad-based reform and-mortar retailers that operate in North measures to remedy this situation. Among that imposed a burden on all affected parties Carolina. In fact, small businesses in the state these were: increasing the normal retire- along with the determination that it was rea- are adversely affected by e-commerce retail- ment age for new employees; requiring fu- sonable and necessary and served an impor- ers not charging sales tax because the advan- ture cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) to be tant public purpose. tage of selling an item without the 7 percent fully funded at the time of authorization; en- sales tax remains significant in a very com- forcing the forfeiture of retirement benefits E-Commerce and State petitive marketplace. In an effort to col- for municipal employees convicted of cer- Finances: Latest Trends lect sales taxes on e-commerce purchases in tain criminal activities; requiring the time- As states cautiously emerge from the Great a uniform manner, North Carolina sought ly payments of pension funds to the state’s Recession, state tax experts recognize a num- voluntary compliance. Currently, 29 online major plans in order to increase efficien- ber of structural flaws that continue to be- retailers in North Carolina voluntarily col- cies; and adding transparency to the more devil state tax systems. One of these relates to lect and remit sales tax on online purchases, than $200 million that goes directly into the the fact that, generally, sales taxes are not col- and it is expected that the state will accrue state’s teacher plan while increasing funding lected on purchases made online. Due to U.S. an estimated $15 million to $16 million this for this plan by requiring the same funding Supreme Court rulings and federal inaction, year. North Carolina’s dispute with Am- rate for both full-time and part-time teachers. state and local governments continue to lose azon involved the state seeking to acquire sales and use tax revenue because of their in- from the company the dollar amounts of the Modifying Public Pensions: ability to collect taxes on these transactions. online purchases made, not information on Legal and Other The University of Tennessee estimates that purchased goods or other products. Ama- Challenges in the years 2010 through 2012, state and lo- zon sought to block this request and filed In recent years, state policymakers in dozens cal government losses will amount to $8.6 suit against North Carolina on the grounds of states have enacted legislative and other billion, $10.1 billion and $11.4 billion, respec- that it violated the First Amendment rights changes to lower expenditures related to pub- tively. In response and in the light of federal of North Carolina residents. While the ini- lic pensions. In some instances, these benefit inaction, states have sought to recoup some of tial court ruling supported Amazon’s posi- cutbacks have been extended to lower pen- these losses by joining the Streamlined Sales tion, the case was then settled. sion benefits for current and future retirees. and Use Tax Agreement—an agreement that For instance, in 2009, Minnesota enacted a seeks to simplify the rules that govern the guaranteed minimum COLA. In 2010, the collection of sales taxes in more than 8,000 state repealed that provision and replaced it different jurisdictions across the country— with lower COLA amounts until the state’s and enacting ‘click through’ laws requiring retirement plan reached a 90 percent fund- affiliate marketers to collect sales taxes. ing level, a decision that was immediately challenged in court. In response, the dis-

15 human services & Public safety Committee meeting summary

Sunday, July 17 Juvenile Justice: Addressing Recidivism through Community Interventions Gina M. Vincent, Ph.D., Co-Director, National Youth Screening and Assessment Project, University of Massachusetts Medical School Lee Rone, Chief Operating Officer, Youth Villages, Tennessee Monday, July 18 Representative Sharon Cooper State Health Insurance Exchange Programs Georgia Anton J. Gunn, Region IV Director, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health Chair and Human Services (HHS), Georgia Prescription Drug Abuse and “Pill Mill” Regulation John F. DeRosier, Calcasieu Parish District Attorney, Louisiana Richard McNelis, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Health, Florida Health Information Technology Justin L. Neece, CEO, Shared Health, Tennessee

Juvenile Justice: Addressing Recidivism through Community Interventions In recent years, there has been a movement for juvenile justice and child welfare agen- across the United States to address grow- cies, helping states to conserve resources and ing prison populations by directing resourc- improve outcomes for youth. Studies have es toward curbing recidivism rates. A major shown that when services are matched to a target for these efforts has focused on juve- youth’s level of risk and their criminogenic nile cohorts, where the recidivism rates can needs, the chance of a re-offense is lowered. be as high as 55 percent. The use of risk/ In addition to societal benefits, diversion needs assessments—an instrument used to from incarceration has fiscal benefits as well. gauge potential for serious delinquent offens- For instance, overall, a state saves approxi- es or violence—has become an essential tool mately twenty-five dollars for every dollar spent on adolescent diversion projects.

The goal, however, is to have the right services available for youth. Programs like Youth Villages prioritize keeping children with their families, when possible, while providing intensive in-home services; safety assessments, psychosocial assessments; strengths and needs reviews; and function- al behavioral assessments for placement into crisis programs, foster care, group homes, or transitional living services. The objective of such comprehensive programs is to lower the cost of services through reduced overall length of stay per youth and treatment in the least restrictive environment. This decreas- es the number of unnecessary out-of-home placements and prevents disruptions from home-based settings that lead to placements in detention centers. Such programs also John F. DeRosier, Calcasieu Parish District have proven track records in terms of achiev- Attorney, Louisiana ing long-term, successful outcomes for youth. 16 State Health Insurance mine the role of agents and brokers in the ex- to 25 in 2009. The importance of regional col- Exchange Programs change. Regarding the Small Business Health laboration is imperative in this effort. While The federal Patient Protection and Afford- Options Program (SHOP), states may choose some states make it a felony to “doctor shop,” able Care Act of 2010 contains provisions for to keep an upper limit of 50 employees (a ceil- in others, the practice is a misdemeanor. every state pertaining to the establishment of ing established for the first two years the ex- Similarly, while most SLC states have legis- a network where individuals and small busi- change is in operation), or include businesses lation that establishes PMPs, these programs nesses can shop for health insurance. These with up to 100 employees starting in 2016. vary widely, hence the propagation of traf- “exchanges,” which must be implemented States may choose to operate SHOP as a sepa- ficking in prescription drugs. by 2014, aim to improve the quality and ef- rate program or merge it with the exchange ficiency of healthcare by expanding cover- to offer the same choices to all participants. Health Information age; offering new consumer protections and Qualified health plans must be certified by Technology consumer choices; making healthcare more HHS, but states determine general eligibility Health information technology (IT) is dra- affordable; improving the quality of plans; requirements for plans. To this end, HHS en- matically influencing the way healthcare is and improving prevention and overall public courages states to work across state lines in delivered and consumed in the United States. health. In addition, the goal of the exchanges order to collaborate and coordinate on key Driven by the prospect of better quality and is to increase competition among private in- implementation issues. efficiency for providers and patients, the surance plans through greater comparative American Recovery and Reinvestment Act shopping and more informed consumers, in- Prescription Drug Abuse and of 2009 has allocated substantial funding to- cluding small businesses. Exchanges are in- “Pill Mill” Regulation ward health IT. These resources are used in tended to expand coverage in the individual The proliferation of prescription drug abuse gathering patient data and establishing tools and small group markets by offering high in Southern states has become particularly for exchanging data, so that physician per- value health plans, lowering administrative problematic in recent years, leading to a dou- formance and patient outcomes can be max- costs and increasing purchasing power. An- bling in drug overdoses during the last de- imized. Services created by this funding other objective is to promote competition cade. Overdose associated with prescription include: exchange of clinical information; in- by ensuring vastly improved transparency drug abuse has become the leading cause of teractive dashboards for allowing physicians and direct comparisons based on benefits, accidental death in several SLC states. In re- to manage patient populations and perfor- price and quality. Additionally, exchanges sponse, states are working diligently to ad- mance; multi-condition registries that allow are intended to help ensure accessibility to dress these trends, predominantly through tracking of key clinical indicators across the more affordable health plans through finan- the establishment of prescription moni- continuum of care; web-based electronic pre- cial assistance, including premium tax cred- toring programs (PMPs), similar to those scribing solutions, allowing users to create its, cost-sharing reduction and small business established to monitor purchases of pseu- and submit new prescriptions and manage tax credits. The exchanges will be designed doephedrine for the production of crystal refills; and patient access to health records. to drive quality and delivery system reform methamphetamine. For instance, in Calca- while ensuring consumer protections. sieu Parish, Louisiana, law enforcement and government officials have worked togeth- States will play an integral role in determin- er, utilizing PMPs, to stop practices of “doc- ing how exchanges will function. For in- tor shopping” and the sale and trafficking of stance, a state can establish a nonprofit entity prescription drugs. In 2006, there were 68 or public/governmental entity to operate an deaths in the Parish from the overdose of pre- exchange. States have flexibility to deter- scription medication; that number dropped

17 Gulf Coast & Atlantic States Regional Task Force meeting summary

Sunday, July 17 Weathering the Storm: Alabama Emergency Management Agency’s Best Practices Art Faulkner, Director, Alabama Emergency Management Agency Economic Development Along the Region’s Waterways Diana Threadgill, Executive Director, Mississippi River Corridor, Tennessee Greg Maxted, P.E., Executive Director, Harahan Bridge Project, Tennessee

Weathering the Storm: Alabama Senator David Baria the only buildings left intact following the Emergency Management Mississippi tornado(es). According to the Federal Emer- Agency’s Best Practices Presiding Officer gency Management Agency, funds made On April 27 this year, 67 tornadoes touched available from the Hazard Mitigation Grant down in Alabama, killing 244 people and in- Program have subsidized 568 shelters as of juring thousands. While Alabama was hit December 31, 2003. Of these, 559 were indi- the hardest, the storms spanned eight South- vidual shelters, with an average reimburse- ern states and stretched federal resources ment to the owner of $2,910. An additional across the region. In less than three months, nine community shelters were constructed at Alabama has made major strides toward re- an average reimbursement of $20,800. covery, including the removal of 8.6 million cubic yards of debris and the distribution of Economic Development Along $64 million to assist disaster victims. The the Region’s Waterways Alabama Emergency Management Agency The development and conservation of the compiled a list of best practices from the les- natural and cultural resources in the Low- sons learned during what has been called the er Mississippi Basin are critical to the South- most devastating tornado season in 61 years. ern region. The Mississippi River Corridor assists communities in the region with the The importance of early action from law- creation of development models that are en- makers ranks high as a crucial step in disaster vironmentally and economically sustainable preparedness. Shortly after the first torna- by providing a framework for collaborative do touched down in the state, the governor partnerships, including enhancements to the mobilized the National Guard and deployed existing Great River Road – National Scenic the state’s mutual aid assets. The swift de- Byway, which borders the Mississippi River ployment of well-trained and well-equipped in Tennessee and connects nine other states. Art Faulkner, Director, Alabama Emergency resources, funded by the state’s homeland se- Management Agency curity dollars, proved to be invaluable in the Cutting edge development ideas involve the response and recovery efforts. utilization of levees for new and viable recre- ational trails in the Lower Mississippi River Lessons were learned regarding mobile Valley, as well as the Harahan Bridge project communication during catastrophic events. to connect downtown Memphis, Tennessee, Following a disaster, cell phone users are en- to Crittenden County, Arkansas, for bicycle couraged to send text messages since voice and pedestrian traffic across the Mississippi services often are interrupted as a result of River. Blueprints for the Harahan bridge downed cell phone towers and overwhelmed connector are currently being drafted to in- wireless networks. However, text messages clude new routes to be constructed on top are delivered with more consistency as a re- of the existing structural steel. The paths sult of the smaller size of data required for will be constructed of non-flammable and message transmission. First responders are non-slip materials that are friendly to bik- able to use this information to assist with ers, walkers and strollers. Additionally, the search and rescue. connector will include security fencing on the bridge to prevent access to the working Storm shelters also are named as a best prac- rail bed. From these projects, the Mississippi tice for homeowners and community lead- River Corridor anticipates a total economic ers. These shelters or safe-houses often were impact of over $6 billion dollars to the region. 18 legislative service agency directors group meeting summary

Saturday, July 16 Technophiles and Technophobes: Finding a Happy Medium Sharon Crouch Steidel, Director of Information Services, House Clerk’s Office, Virginia Richard Olsen, Staff Attorney, Division of Legislative Services, West Virginia Aaron Allred, Legislative Manager, West Virginia Legislature, Todd Wellman, Senior Systems Engineer, Apple Inc., Kentucky Drawing the Lines in the South: Consensus after the Census Cathy McCully, Chief, Census Redistricting Data Office, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, D.C. Jerry Bassett, Director Joseph Barnes, Director, Office of Legal Services, Tennessee Legislative Reference Service, Teresa Tiller, Director, Legislative Services Office, Mississippi Alabama Chair Mary Quaid, Executive Director, House Legislative Services, Louisiana E.M. Miller, Jr., Director, House Legislative Services, Virginia (1988-2011, retired)

Technophiles and The Virginia project continues with sever- ginia. Many of the respective districts in Technophobes: Finding a al positive reports by pilot members, such as: these states experienced a significant popu- Happy Medium great interface for downloading budget anal- lation percentage change on the state level. New technology pilot projects in the Virgin- ysis reports; uniform e-mail interface; ease of Of note, Louisiana lost a congressional seat— ia House of Delegates and the West Virginia use in meetings and on the floor; long battery with the seven congressional districts re- Senate allow legislators and staff to utilize the life and facilitation of information-sharing. drawn into six—as did Missouri. Four SLC Apple iPad technology for a variety of appli- Work has begun on an application for elec- member states gained one or more seats: Flor- cations. Currently, there are 100,000 applica- tronic committee and subcommittee agen- ida (2), Georgia (1), South Carolina (1), and tions available for the tablet technology, and das, and an “electronic bill book.” Texas (4). the number grows daily. The West Virginia Senate has begun using With the population changes in Virginia re- Virginia’s pilot project began in the fall of the iPad 2 following the success of their pi- ported by the U.S. Census Bureau in Febru- 2010 with the selection and training of 16 lot project. This will allow Senators to view ary 2011, many of the districts were redrawn members (40 had requested to participate) bills, amendments and abstracts in real time as well. The redistricting plans for both Vir- based on interest level, computer proficiency and is expected to reduce waste and printing ginia and Louisiana have been pre-cleared by and seniority. The project examined several costs, providing significant revenue savings. the U.S. Justice Department. However, pre- variables including: cost effectiveness, user clearance does not preclude challenges un- friendliness and overall utility for commit- Drawing the Lines in the der Section 2. In March, a federal lawsuit was tee meeting and floor sessions. During the South: Consensus after the filed to stop the adoption of the new proposed initial pilot period, several obstacles were Census Mississippi plan. A three-judge panel ruled in found inherent in the use of the technology, Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Con- May that the state could craft a workable map namely font issues with electronic bills in stitution requires a census to be taken every immediately and gain pre-clearance by June PDF file format, support issues and distribu- 10 years for the purpose of the apportion- 1, 2011, or hold the 2011 elections under the tion of software, flash content, and tackling ment of the U.S. House of Representatives. current district map, noting that the state can the move away from paper bill copies and the Subsequent U.S. Supreme Court decisions craft new maps in the 2012 legislative session. perception of whether the iPad is more busi- mandated that U.S. Congressional districts In June, an appeal to that ruling was filed with ness tool or toy. and state legislatives districts must be drawn the U.S. Supreme Court. so that their residents have a fair and equal The West Virginia Senate project also expe- share in their governments. Ideally, the dis- The census data for Tennessee indicated a rienced many of the same issues in use and tricts would reflect equivalent populations, population increase of 11.5 percent statewide. efficacy. An application was developed by with variance kept to a minimum. The current districts, when adopted in 2002, the Senate to allow access to pertinent Sen- reflected little variance, but the new census ate information and also allow members to While the overall 2010 U.S. resident popula- data calculations show dramatic increases in communicate with one another and House tions rose approximately 9.7 percent to near- the difference between the highest and low- members, as well as take notes during com- ly 309 million people, nearly half of the SLC est district populations for both the House mittee meetings. states were shown to have double-digit in- and Senate. Tennessee began its redistrict- creases: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, ing process in June 2011 with the goal to draft South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vir- plans for approval early in 2012. 19 cOMMITTEE tECHNICAL tOURS

Representative Sharon Cooper, Georgia, at the The farmer’s market at Agricenter. Medical Education and Research Institute

This year’s technical tours for the SLC An- facilitating agricultural research, education- Memphis hub each business day. The Mem- nual Meeting invited legislators to get a first- al programs, environmental conservation, phis hub, the centerpiece of the FedEx glob- hand look at some of the unique facilities that natural area preservation and recreation- al distribution system, is routinely lauded for call Memphis home. The three tours took al opportunities. Participants reviewed the delivery and distribution professionalism in four destinations that illustrate the many farmers market operations, toured the cen- and, in 2010, was awarded Institute of Trans- ways public and private endeavors are cre- ter’s extensive field test facilities, and heard port Management’s “Best Global Cargo Hub.” ating solutions to pressing problems in the a presentation on a groundbreaking hydro- The Committee technical tour provided a region, and offering opportunities for busi- electric turbine being developed at the facili- glimpse into all these operations along with nesses, government agencies and the public ty for use in the Mississippi River. economic impact details. to succeed and thrive. FedEx World Hub in Memphis Medical Education & Ducks Unlimited international The Memphis World Hub is the oldest and Research Institute Headquarters & AgriCenter largest facility in the FedEx Express net- The Medical Education and Research In- Memphis is home to Ducks Unlimited, work. It connects customers to more than stitute (MERI) is a nonprofit medical teach- the world leader in wetlands and waterfowl 220 countries and territories on six conti- ing and training school in Memphis. MERI conservation. The Ducks Unlimited Inter- nents. Situated on approximately 727 acres, conducts state-of-the-art, hands-on edu- national Headquarters features tours and the facility operates with a workforce of cational courses for physicians, nurses and displays of wetlands ecosystems, and an ex- more than 15,000. More than 5,000 flights other medical professionals from across the cellent overview to one of the most wide- pass through the hub each month. The hub’s country and around the world. At MERI, ly respected conservation organizations in sorting system contains more than 300 miles medical professionals are introduced to the the world. of conveyor belts capable of processing ap- latest innovations in medicine, and have proximately a half million packages per the opportunity to learn firsthand about Agricenter, located only minutes from hour. The small-package sort system pro- the most up-to-date medical techniques and downtown Memphis, is the world’s larg- cesses up to 325,000 packages per hour, while technologies. Members were provided with est urban farm and research test facili- the box sorting “matrix” system processes a general tour of MERI facilities and partic- ty. The center is a world-class showcase to 160,000 packages per hour. Overall, more ipated in hands-on disaster response sim- the agricultural and non-agricultural public, than 2 million packages move through the ulations, led by paramedics and disaster preparedness personnel.

20 cOnference Notes center for the Thomas B. Murphy CARTER/HELLARD advancement of Longevity of Service LEGISLATIVE STAFF award leadership skills (CALS) Award alumni reception

E.M. Miller, Jr., Director, Division of Senator John Whitmire, Texas Legislative Services (retired), Virginia A member of the SLC Human Services & Pub- E.M. Miller, Jr. served as the director of the Senator Gloria Butler, Georgia, Senator Eric Powell, Mississippi, Jan Yonts and Representative lic Safety Committee and Fiscal Affairs & Division of Legislative Services of the Com- Brent Yonts, Kentucky Government Operations Steering Commit- monwealth of Virginia from 1988 to 2011. tee, Texas Senator John Whitmire has served Prior to 1988, he was the staff director of The Southern Office of The Council of State the people of Texas since 1973. With 10 the Senate Finance Committee of the Vir- Governments and Southern Legislative Con- years of experience as a state representative ginia General Assembly. He has worked in ference have a long history of providing lead- and 28 years as a state senator, he now serves the legislative branch since graduating law ership training opportunities to state elected as Dean of the Texas Senate. He has worked school in 1972 in the capacity of staff attor- officials. With the implementation of term tirelessly to bring about needed changes to ney, budget analyst, and as director. He holds limits in five SLC-member states, and in the adult and juvenile criminal justice sys- a J.D. degree from the University of Tennes- recognition of the changing political land- tems, as well as toward finding appropriate see College of Law and a B. A. degree from scape in the South, the Executive Commit- solutions for funding the state’s many agen- the University of Richmond. He is licensed tee of SLC approved the establishment of cies and programs. to practice law in Virginia and North Car- the Center for the Advancement of Leader- olina and is a member of the Virginia Code ship Skills to help emerging leaders from the CSG Innovations Awards Commission, and the Virginia Freedom of South develop their communication, con- Program Information Advisory Council. He has been flict resolution, consensus building and crit- Sixteen panelists, comprising lawmakers a member of the Uniform Law Commission ical decision-making skills. CALS offers full and staff from the SLC’s 15-members states, since 1988. scholarships for candidates from the legisla- selected two Southern finalists for the 2011 tive, executive and judicial branches of state Innovations Awards program, both of Comparative Data government. which were from the state of North Caroli- Reports Policy positions na. The first, Criminal Justice Law Enforce- Comparative Data Reports (CDRs) are pre- adopted at the 65th SLC ment Automated Data Services (CJLEADS), pared annually by select SLC states’ fiscal re- annual meeting integrates criminal justice data from a va- search departments. Because CDRs track a riety of state criminal justice organizations multitude of revenue sources and appropri- The Southern Legislative Conference adopt- to create comprehensive profiles of offend- ations levels in Southern states, they pro- ed four policy positions at the 65th Annual ers, and provides this information to crim- vide a useful tool to legislators and legislative Meeting: inal justice professionals through a single, staff alike as they determine their own state 1. Regarding the Impact of EPA Regu- secure web-based application. The second, spending. The reports presented at the SLC lations on Southern States Probation/Parole Officer’s Dashboard (PPO Annual Meeting were : 2. Supporting Continued Nuclear Dashboard), is a tool used to assist probation » education Energy Financing at Oak Ridge Na- and parole officers with the management » medicaid tional Laboratory of large offender caseloads by interfacing » revenue 3. Supporting Advanced Access to with the Office of the Courts to receive dai- » transportation HMAP Funding ly alerts of new criminal and infraction ac- » adult Corrections 4. Combatting Prescription Drug tivities in this population. The Council of Comparative Data Reports are prepared un- Trafficking and Abuse State Governments (CSG) began an Innova- der the auspices of the Conference’s Fiscal Af- To view the full text of these policy positions Transfer Program in 1975 to highlight fairs & Government Operations Committee. tions and those of previous years, please visit and share information about inventive and Reports for 2011 and dating back to 2000 are www.slcatlanta.org/policy_positions/. effective state programs across the United available through the SLC website at www.sl- Note: In accordance with SLC Rule VIII, these States. CSG’s headquarters and SLC staff re- catlanta.org/publications.shtml. Policy Positions of the Southern Legislative view the applications each year and deter- Conference shall be sunset one calendar year fol- mine eight finalists to make presentations lowing adoption by the Conference. at the SLC Annual Meeting. 21 The SLC Annual Meeting is the culmination of hard work from scores of people and partners.

A THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS The Southern Legislative Conference extends special thanks to the following friends in the private sector for their generous assistance with the general and substantive committee programs for our 65th Annual Meeting. We are grateful for their continued support and interest in the Conference over the years. SLC Program sponsors American Chemistry Council | American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity | BayerHealthcare | Chevron | Domtar | Government of Canada HCA | Intuit | Johnson & Johnson | Monsanto | Outdoor Advertising Association of Tennessee Reynolds American | Ryan | Southern Company | Wells Fargo

Tennessee host state sponsors Presley John Overton Boss Crump Altria Piedmont Natural Gas Allergan AT&T ServiceMaster American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity Brown Forman Southern Company American Financial Services Association FedEx State Farm Bio Technology Industry Organization Reynolds American, Inc. Swisher International Cigar Association of America Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Consumer Healthcare Products Andrew Jackson Tennessee Medical Association Deloitte LLP Appalachian Power Tennessee Land Title Association Dollar General Autozone Tennessee Trucking Association Food Lion Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee UPS General Electric CN Volkswagen of America Insurors of Tennessee Dell Walmart Microsoft Eastman Chemical Monsanto HCA Novo Nordisk International Paper W.C. Handy Regions Financial Corporation Maximus Abbott Laboratories, Inc. Ryan Nissan North America, Inc. CNA Spectra Energy Pilot Travel Centers Cargill Studsvik, Inc. Security Finance Cash America Tennessee Consumer Finance Association Toyota Motor North America CenturyLink Tennessee Retail Association John Overton Charter Communications Tennessee Road Builders Association Adams and Reese LLP Check Into Cash TRH Health Plans American Chemistry Council Chevron Wells Fargo Amerigroup Tennessee Coca-Cola Anheuser Busch Darden In-Kind Contributors Atmos Energy GlaxoSmithKline Associated Grocers Bank of America Honeywell Beverage Association of Tennessee BayerHealthcare Johnson & Johnson Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Best Buy Medco & Accredo Health Brown Forman BNSF Railway Medsolutions CAO BP Merck Charms Bridgestone Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare Chattanooga Bakery Caterpillar National Healthcare Cracker Barrel City of Memphis National Popular Vote Dollar General Comcast National Rifle Association Domtar Corrections Corporation of America Shelby County Government FedEx Cracker Barrel The University of Memphis GlaxoSmithKline CSX Tennessee Bankers Association JLM Office Products Domtar Tennessee Credit Union League Landers Ford Lincoln Eli Lilly Tennessee Health Care Association McKee Foods Farris Bobango Branan PLC Tennessee Health Management Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau First Tennessee Unilever Mars Candy Company Government of Canada Vanderbilt University & Medical Center MATA Ingram Barge Wilson & Associates Merck Intuit Pepsico Memphis Grizzlies Johnson & Johnson Nestles Kraft Standard Candy Company Medtronic Standard Coffee Norfolk Southern Superior Office Services Novartis Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists Outdoor Advertising Association Tennessee Department of Tourism Pfizer Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation Tennessee Malt Beverage Association Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation Toyota Motor North America University of Memphis Vanderbilt University Wal-Mart 22 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee The SLC Annual Meeting is the culmination of hard work from scores of people and partners.

Host State Committee Host Committee Co-chairs Lieutentant Governor Ron Ramsey Speaker Beth Harwell Host Committee Working Co-chairs Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (2010-2011 SLC Chair) Senator Reggie Tate Representative Curry Todd Representative Lois DeBerry

Senator Ophelia Ford Representative Mike Kernell Senator Brian Kelsey Representative Ron Lollar Senator Jim Kyle Representative Steve McManus Senator Beverly Marrero Representative Larry Miller Representative Karen Camper Representative Antonio Parkinson Representative Jim Coley Representative Jeanne Richardson Representative Barbara Cooper Representative Joe Towns, Jr. Representative John DeBerry, Jr. Representative Johnnie Turner Representative G.A. Hardaway Representative Mark White

Host state staff Liz Alvey, Coordinator

Reta Adams Scott Gilmer Megan Moore Sheryl Alexander Gregory Gleaves Jacqueline Nash Steve Altum Logan Grant Ross Nichols Jesse Alvey Chuck Grimes Rick Nicholson Katie Argo Luke Gustafson Alan Osborne Sammie Arnold Leslie Hafner Paul Overholser Luke Ashley Donal Haggard Ethan Page Katie Atkins Catherine Haire Joshua Parent Matt Bailey Tamara Hanserd Hayden Pendergrass Glenn Barber Jodie Hardin Laura Pendleton Lori Barnard Tootie Haskins Sharon Peters Joseph Barnes Janice Hayes Marianne Purcell Alice Bigham Daniel Hicks Carolyn Qualls Justin Billingsley Cathy Higgins Moreen Scruggs Zack Blair Jennifer Hines Paige Seals Patrick Boggs Trammel Hoehn Carol Simpson Laura Bond Vanessa Horner Scott Sloan David Bone Cory Hudson Allyson Sneed Cory Bradfield Russell Humphrey Brenda St. John JB Brown Elizabeth Insogna Todd Staley Robert Callahan Diane Irwin Randy Stamps Anastasia Campbell Nathan James Fred Standbrook Becky Cantrell Stephanie Jarnigan Catie Stroud Jamie Clariday Zak Kelley Sally Swaney Annette Crutchfield Adam Kleinheider Kevin Teets, Daniel Culbreath Nadine Korby Ray Temple Yolanda Dancer Steve Kriegish David Thurman Bruce Davis Brent Leatherwood Nancy Townsend Rosetta Davis Krista Lee Bob Trezise Jeremy Davis Robert Leedy Emily Urban Dan Dufty Tammy Letzler Will Walker Jason Dunnivant Debbie Martin Brian Warner Leah Dupree Rob Martin Priscilla Warrington Brent Easley Tammy Martin Kara Watkins Jeremy Elrod Tuwania Martin Claudia Weaver Lisa Falkenbach Jeremy Maxwell Eddie Weeks Robbie Farmer Glenda Mayes Warren Wells Sam Ferrell Joe McCord Jim White Fred Field Sean McMinn Sandra Whitmore Doug Garrett Ameila Mitchell Alan Whittington Lucian Geise Nanatte Mitchell Valerie Yancey Pam George Daveisha Moore Micki Yearwood 23 66th Annual Meeting of the

Get in Touch Colleen Cousineau Executive Director; CSG Deputy Executive Director Jonathan Watts Hull Senior Policy Analyst (Agriculture & Rural Development; Education) Sujit M. CanagaRetna Senior Fiscal Analyst (Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations; Economic Development, Transportation & Cultural Affairs) Jeremy Williams Policy Analyst (Energy & Environment; Human Services & Public Safety; Legislative Service Agency Directors Group) Elizabeth Lewis Senior Program Manager (Legislative Staff Exchange Program; Event Coordinator) Mikko J. Lindberg Research Associate Lori Jones-Rucker Program Manager (Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills; Gulf Coast & Atlantic States Regional Task Force) John E. Barnes II Operations Manager Virginia Wright Receptionist OFFICES OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS NATIONAL OFFICE WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE EASTERN OFFICE MIDWESTERN OFFICE WESTERN OFFICE 2760 Research Park Drive Suite 401 20th Floor Suite 110 Suite 730 Lexington, KY 40511 444 N. Capitol Street 100 Wall Street 701 East 22nd Street 1107 Ninth Street 859/244-8000 Washington, DC 20001 New York, NY 10005 Lombard, IL 60148 Sacramento, CA 95814 www.csg.org 202/624-5460 212/482-2320 630/925-1922 916/553-4423 www.csg.org www.csgeast.org www.csgmidwest.org www.csgwest.org David Adkins Chris Whatley Wendell Hannaford Michael H. McCabe Kent Briggs Executive Director Washington Office Director Director Director Director SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE THE SOUTHERN OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS PO Box 98129 | Atlanta, Georgia 30359 | ph: 404/633-1866 | fx: 404/633-4896 | www.slcatlanta.org 24