The capital city of Tennessee welcomed policy makers and policy advocates from across the country last week for the annual Legislative Summit hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Members of MAC’s public policy team joined several legislators, staffers, and lobbyists from Georgia to develop key relationships, have meaningful and productive discussion, and enjoy the famous Nashville music scene.
The capital city of Tennessee welcomed policy makers and policy advocates from across the country last week for the annual Legislative Summit hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Members of MAC’s public policy team joined several legislators, staffers, and lobbyists from Georgia to develop key relationships, have meaningful and productive discussion, and enjoy the famous Nashville music scene.
Every summer, NCSL draws thousands to the largest meeting of its kind in the nation. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from and interact with national policy experts and colleagues from every state. In-depth educational sessions included cybersecurity, opioids, infrastructure, sports betting, the 2020 census, education innovation, and the federal budget’s impact on the states.
The MAC policy team leveraged the convening of legislatures to learn and share ideas and best practices with others. For example, an impromptu conversation with the House Ways and Means Chair of another state, who was seeking new ways to support the business community, allowed for the sharing of Georgia’s approach to removing the Chevron deference standard in certain legal disputes.
Georgia leaders played a variety of notable roles. Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), chairwoman of the House Human Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, presented and served on a panel discussing ways legislatures handle data including access to, transparency of, and organization of data. Rep. Dempsey highlighted the General Assembly’s passage of legislation creating the Georgia Analytics Center, a centralized and integrated data system.
Representative Don Parsons (R-Marietta), who is chairman of the House Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications Committee, moderated a discussion on the risks and vulnerabilities posed by cyber threats, gaps in state cybersecurity efforts, and steps policy makers can take to protect the technologically advancing electric grid.
Finally, Martha Wigton, Director of the House Budget and Research Office, was named the 2019-2020 Staff Selection Chair. We congratulate Martha on this national leadership position!
