Toll Fellows

Education 2012: A Closer Look

Just a few weeks ago, Indiana and Minnesota became the first states to file for waivers from No Child Left Behind.  How many states will follow this lead in 2012?

Whether it's seeking No Child Left Behind waivers, adopting Common Core State Standards, implementing new performance pay incentives for teachers or tackling tenure reform, a number of education policy discussions will dominate state houses across the country.  CSG education policy lead Pam Goins explored the Top 5 issues she sees facing states in the area of education this year.

Energy and Environment 2012: A Closer Look

$20 billion - That's the average annual support states have relied on for more than 30 years that will be lost as a result of Congress allowing ethanol production tax credits to expire.  In a federal election year where partisan gridlock may slow or completely stop Congressional action on a number of important issues, CSG lead energy and environmental policy analyst Brydon Ross has identified the Top 5 issues facing states - including the loss of federal energy incentives like the ethanol tax.  Other areas CSG monitor for states this year include growing efforts by states to require fracking disclosures, the siting and construction of energy pipelines to help meet consumer demand, and clean air regulations.

2004 Toll Trey Grayson featured on NPR

Former Ky Secretary of State and current Director of Harvard's Institute of Politics, Trey Grayon was featured this morning on NPR.  Grayson was interviewed for a piece highilighting the increased notoriety of Secretaries of State.  Grayson attributes much of the attention to increased public awareness of the voting process following the 2000 presidential elections.

Check out the full story here!  Great job Trey!

Make your resolution stick

At the beginning of each year many people make resolutions and set new goals.  I am going to workout more. I'm going to stop smoking.  I'm going to read more.  I'm going to be a better listener.  I'm going to spend more time with my kids/family.

Have you set one of these or a similar goal for yourself?  This short (less than 4 minutes) video offers some great insight on how it is much easier to achieve a new goal if you focus on the first 30 days.  Enjoy!

 

2009 Toll Fellow Matt Dunlap annouces run for US Senate

Former Maine Secretary of State and member of the 2009 Toll Fellows class, Matt Dunlap has launched a campaign for the US Senate.  Dunlap is competing in the Democratic primary and ultimately hopes to unseat incumbent US Senator Olympia Snowe. 

Prior to announcing his run for the Senate, Dunlap spent six years as the Secretary of State and eight years in the state House of Representatives.

CSG Past Chair Kim Koppelman mounts US Congressional campaign

North Dakota state Representative Kim Koppelman, a member of the 2000 Toll Fellow class and a former national CSG Chair, announced Monday that he is seeking the Republican nomination for his state's open congressional seat.  Koppelman joined a growing field of primary candidates seeking to fill the seat currently occupied by Rep. Rick Berg, who is now running for the US Senate.

2007 Toll Fellow Tonya Williams joins VP Biden's team

Tonya Williams announced last week that she will leave her position as Congressman G.K. Butterfield's chief of staff to become Vice President Joe Biden's new Director of Legislative Affairs.  Prior to joining Butterfield's staff, Williams served as the North Carolina Senate President's General Counsel.

Congratulations Tonya!

Madeleine Albright on the women in government

Former U.S.Secretary of State Madeleine Albright speaks with her characteristic frankness and humor about the importance of having women leaders, her experiences in a male dominated profession and why women's issues are anything but "soft."  This is a short, to the point, enjoyable clip that women and men alike can learn from.

Janet Welch named Woman of the Year

Janet Welch, Executive Director of the Michigan Bar Association, was recently named the 2011 Woman of the Year by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.  Prior to joining the Bar Association, Welch served as Michigan Supreme Court counsel and as an analayst for both the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives. Janet was a memeber of the 1998 Toll Fellows class.

Congratulations Janet!

Meet the 2011 Tolls: Jeff Goley

Jeff Goley
Representative
New Hampshire

1. What do you think is the key to effective leadership?

To be an effective leader you need to have good communication skills, have an open mind and be willing to listen to others. You also need the ability to influence and motivate them to do something they believe in.

2. What is your favorite leadership quote?

"Leadership and learning are indispensible to each other."   -John F. Kennedy

3. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

As a newly elected state representative of the minority party I was told to learn Mason's Rules of Order as well as our enacted House rules and to use them to my advantage.

4. What do you hope to get out of your Toll Fellows experience?

A Toll Fellowship experience will help to improve my leadership, team building and communication skills. It will also allow me to meet other leaders from around the country who aspire to do the same.