Toll Fellows

What does the future hold for State/Federal relations?

The Future of Federalism: State/Federal Relations in an Era of Austerity

Live Webinar
Thursday, April 14 - 3 p.m. EDT

The balance between state and federal power has not, in recent memory, been under more scrutiny from leaders on both sides of the equation.  Stimulus dollars, health care reform, education funding, unemployment insurance, Medicaid and transportation strategy are but a few of the critical issues that continue to drive the state/federal dialogue. In normal times, these conversations are challenging.  In our current period of economic hardship with state budgets continuing to experience significant gaps, the relationship can be adversarial with decisions having real and immediate impacts on citizens, jobs and services.  

Talk with national experts and federal representatives about key policy programs and learn about the likely future of state/federal relations. 

Speakers

James F. Blumstein - professor of constitutional law, health law and policy, director of Vanderbilt University's Health Policy Center  View Bio >>

Rep. Bob Godfrey - deputy speaker of the Connecticut House, CSG's 2011 chair  View Bio >>

Register for this FREE webinar now!

CSG to discuss challenges to state revenue structures

Challenges to State Revenue Structures & Responses to Revenue Reductions

Live Webinar
Thursday, April 14 - 1 p.m. EDT

State tax systems have been criticized as being overly complex to decipher. They suffer from three serious structural flaws: misaligned state sales taxes, a lack of aggressive e-commerce tax revenue and too many exemptions.  Add to this the ongoing challenge of state budgets continuing to falter with record gaps in 2011 and the requirement to balance the budgets in nearly all states.  As a result, most states have enacted serious cuts in state expenditures to deal with their revenue fallouts.  Learn about innovative ideas enabling states to restructure their tax codes, explore new revenue generation models and the ways some states are reaching budget equilibrium.

Speakers

Richard D. Pomp - Alva P. Loiselle Professor of Law, University of Connecticut  View Bio>>

Sen. Daniel DaPonte - chairman of teh Committee on Finance, Rhode Island Senate  View Bio>>

Register for this FREE webinar now! 

CSG to offer webinar on Increasing Global Competitiveness

Increasing Global Competitiveness through Collaborative Education and Work Force Development Efforts

Live Webinar
Wednesday, April 13 - 1 p.m. EDT

The gap between how well states prepare and equip their work forces and what is demanded in a highly dynamic, technology advanced and globally structured 21st century economy is growing. Yet while the gap exists and is recognized, there is neither clarity nor agreement on its nature or how to gauge its dynamics. How well a state prepares and equips its workers will determine its economic future.

Learn about strategies to develop highly competent workers who can succeed in a competitive global marketplace and how states can utilize K-12 and postsecondary education, including community colleges, to prepare individuals as educated, technology-adept and highly productive world-class workers.

Speakers

Sara Watson - senior office, Pew Center on the States  View Bio >>

Register now for this FREE webinar! 

Winning Strategies for Job Creation & Business Attraction

Winning Strategies for Job Creation & Business Attraction

Live Webinar
Tuesday, April 12 - 1 p.m. EDT

States pursue new business as a course of action . . . it is part of their job.  But how states do so and which models work best is open to debate. Oftentimes the default position is to throw money at the opportunity in the hope that your state is chosen over the competition. Increasingly, however, this thinking is coming under attack, and in times of immense fiscal turmoil in state budgets, state leaders are rethinking their economic development strategies. Learn about various options being explored by states to effectively pursue new business prospects, sustain existing businesses, promote job growth and how to foster emerging opportunities from within.

Register for this FREE webinar now! 

Creating a Culture of Entrepreneurship

Creating a Culture of Entrepreneurship

Live Webinar
Tuesday, April 12 - 3 p.m. EDT

Attracting new business and growing existing onew have often been thought of as a problem for which money and incentives are the solution. The saying, "Build it and they will come" is indeed true . . . but in a manner different from traditional thinking. Building a culture of entrepreneurial networks can often be more valuable to promoting growth and expanding existing enterprise than the traditional economic development incentives embraced by states. Learn about the new trends impacting thinking around entrepreneurial networks and how your state can better position itself to take advantage of this decentralized economic development tool.  

Register for this FREE webinar now!

Federal Transportation Reauthorization Webinar

Federal Transportation Reauthorization

Live Webinar
Monday, April 11 - 3 p.m. EDT

The 2005 law authorizing federal surface transportation programs, known as SAFETEA-LU, expired in September 2009.  In the interim, Congress has authorized a series of short-term extensions, but has yet to enact a new multi-year strategy. Whatever Congress decides will go a long way in determining whether America's infrastructure will be ready to meet the demands of the 21st century economy. As state lawmakers confront an infrastructure system in dire need of repair, they also must recognize a desire to curb overall federal spending and widespread opposition to tax increases. Learn about the various proposals for reauthorizing federal transportation programs and how they may impact both state governments and the nation's economic future.

Speakers

Peter "Jack" Basso - director of program finance and management, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials  View bio >>

Donna Cooper - senior fellow, Center for American Policy  View bio >>

Ronald Utt - Herbert and Joyce Morgan senior research fellow, Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation  View bio >>

Register for this FREE webinar now!

CSG to host Policy Webinar Series

By Jan. 1, 2014, all states must be operating health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. What exactly is an exchange? What kind of planning, implementation and costs are associated with setting up and running an exchange? 

Exchanges will require cooperation across branches and even states.  CSG's Health Insurance Exchange webinar series is designed for officials of all three branches and set-up to target each region. Joel Ario, the director of the Office of Health Insurance Exchanges at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight will be the presenter for each webinar.

Registration is free of charge! 

Western States
February 14th - 4 p.m. EST
Register here

Southern States
February 15th - 11 a.m. EST
Register here

Eastern States
February 23rd - 11 a.m. EST
Register here

Midwestern States
February 28th - 3 p.m. EST
Register here 

Toll Sponsored Webinar: State/Local Relationships

As part of our continued efforts to bring leadership development opportunities to our members year around, Tolls is proud to sponsor a regular series of webinars.  Join us Wednesday, Sept. 29 as we discuss the importance of building strong state/local relationships.  Be it the administration of elections, the processing of various permits and certifications or the allocation of funding resources, state and local governments must work together on a daily basis to provide the services and programs the public needs. 

Chad Gallagher, 2006 Toll Fellow and former Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Gov. Mike Huckabee, will lead a panel of Toll alumni as they discuss the keys to building successful state/local relationships.  The panelists for this webinar are:

• Matt Dunlap, Maine Secretary of State - 2009 Toll Fellow
• Adam Jeamel, Director of Public Affairs for Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell - 2010 Toll Fellow
• Herman Williams, former Community Affairs Director for Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe - 2009 Toll Fellow

The webinar will be held at 1 p.m. EST on Sept. 29th.  Register now!

2010 Economic Summit of the States - Toll Fellows Events

Once again as part of our continued efforts to provide leadership development training beyond the Toll Fellows Program itself, Tolls is happy to sponsor several sessions at the upcoming Economic Summit of the States.  In addition, we will welcome back alum Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis as she joins a panel of governors to discuss job creation.  Join us in New York City May 20-23 as CSG explores the ongoing economic crunch and provides policymakers with the tools to lead effectively.

Opening Session & Luncheon
Thursday, May 20 - Noon-2 p.m.

Join CSG President South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds and CSG Chair Kentucky Senate President David Williams as they kick-off the Economic Summit of the States.  CSG will also honor communications expert Arch Lustberg with the inaugural Distinguished Service to the States Award for his 25 years of service to the Toll Fellows leadership program.

Later that evening join fellow Tolls and regional leadership program graduates for a private reception with Arch.  The meet and greet will take place Thursday evening from 4:30-5 p.m.

The Prosperity Agenda: Governors' Insights on Job Creation
Friday, May 21 - 9:30-11:30 a.m.

While the U.S. may be on the back side of the Great Recession, the job crisis is still front and center. Innovative state leadership and strong private sector partnerships are necessary to create the high quality jobs that Americans need. This session will highlight how governors are working to promote economic growth despite ongoing fiscal constraints. Panelists include South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds and U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis (Toll Fellows Class of 1998).

What Americans Really Want . . . Really: Insights from Frank Luntz
Presented by the Toll Fellows Program
Saturday, May 22 - 10 a.m.-Noon

Frank Luntz is one of the most honored communication professionals in America today.  Time magazine named him one of "50 of America's most promising leaders aged 40 and under" and he is the "hottest pollster" in America, according to the Boston Globe. Luntz will share his observations on the economic reforms Americans want their leaders to provide.

Communicating in an Economic Crisis: Insights from Vincent Covello
Presented by the Toll Fellows Program
Saturday, May 22 - 2:30-4 p.m.

In his 25-year career, Vincent Covello has served both as a senior White House staffer and communications advisor to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.  Covello, founder of the Center for Risk Communications, will share practical techniques for informing and reassuring constituents in the height of a crisis.

For more a full agenda, registration materials and full speaker bios visit the Economic Summit of the States. Note: Early registration ends April 27!