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Henry TollFellowships

build leaders

Henry TollFellowships

build leadersIllinois Rep. & 1987 Toll Fellow Tom Ryder

KIDS VOTING GOVERNING UNIVERSITIES RESOLVING CONFLICT

4 state government news september 2000

featuresfeatures

elections

Start the voting habit early 10A program to educate children on voting is producing unexpected benefits.

by Karen T. Scates

higher education

Keys to governing universities 12Selecting board members for colleges and universities takes care.

by Richard Novak

leadership

Welcome to the Class of 2000’sHenry Toll Fellowship Program 20

newsmaker

The confidence to lead 21Illinois Rep. Tom Ryder, CSG chairman, tells how he benefited from TollFellows.

by Don Hunter

leadership

Henry Toll Fellowship Program:Class of 2000 23Featured are members of this year’s class to the nation’s premier stateleadership-development program. This annual program selects 10 officialsfrom each of CSG’s four regions, including legislators, judicial and executiveofficials, constitutional officers and staff.

■ East Toll Fellows■ Midwest Toll Fellows■ South Toll Fellows■ West Toll Fellows

september 2000 volume 43, number 8

on the cover:Illinois Rep. Tom Ryder

exemplifies how CSG’s HenryToll Fellowship Program builds

leadership skills.

managing editorElaine Stuart

graphic design coordinatorSkip Olson

production systems administratorConnie P. LaVake

contributorsHeather Heath-Bakondy

Kristin CormierEd Janairo

Cindy J. LackeyKaren Marshall

Malissa McAlisterJohn Mountjoy

Allison SpurrierFred J. Vickers

Laura Williams

advertisingKristi Swanson(859) 244-8118

reprint permissionsSusan Haney

(859) 244-8246

publication sales(800) 800-1910

[email protected]

fax(859) 244-8001

[email protected]

internetwww.csg.org

A Publication of The Council of State GovernmentsA Publication of The Council of State Governments

G O V E R N M E N T N E W S

page 10

page 12

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the council of state governments 5

departmentsdepartments

6 statesnews■ gun control■ New York enacts a comprehensive gun-safety law.■ parental leave■ A Massachusetts bill for paid parental leave is vetoed.■ electricity restructuring■ Californians are upset over rising electricity prices.■ campaign finance■ Vermont’s lid on candidate spending is overturned.

15 conference calendarMeetings and conference activities of CSG, affiliates and other associationsare listed.

by Allison Spurrier

16 excellence in actionCSG activities and events, and those of affiliates, are highlighted.

by Allison Spurrier

38 perspectiveStates combat child poverty.

by Clare Nolan

Executive CommitteechairDeputy Minority Leader Rep. Tom Ryder, Ill.

presidentGov. Paul Patton, Ky.

chair-electSenate President Pro Tempore Manny M. Aragon, N.M.

president-electGov. Dirk Kempthorne, Idaho

vice chairSenate President Pro Tem John Chichester, Va.

vice presidentGov. Parris Glendening, Md.

executive committeeSen. Pres. Brady Adams, Ore. • Rep. David Adkins, Kan. •Assemblywoman Elaine White Alquist, Calif. • Rep. RamonaBarnes, Alaska • Rep. Gail Beam, N.M. • Sen. Pres. LaneBeattie, Utah • Sen. John O. Bennett, N.J. • Treas. MarshallBennett, Miss. • Carl Bianchi, Director, Legislative Services,Idaho • Rep. Dan Blue, N.C. • Rep. Dan Bosley, Mass. •Michele Brown, Commissioner, Dept. of EnvironmentConservation, Alaska • Sen. David Cain, Texas • Rep.Deborah Capano, Del. • Rep. Charlie Capps, Miss. • Gov. MelCarnahan, Mo. • Rep. Robert Clayton, Mo. • Rep. JohnConnors, Iowa • Sen. Jim Costa, Calif. • Rep. Paul Crowley,R.I. • Sen. Bob Cupp, Ohio • Rep. Bob Damron, Ky. • SpeakerJo Ann Davidson, Ohio • Gov. Howard Dean, Vt. • Sen. BillDoyle, Vt. • Sen. Hugh Farley, N.Y. • Ed Ford, DeputySecretary, Executive Cabinet, Ky. • Speaker Tim Ford, Miss. •Rep. Sally Fox, Vt. • John Gillig, Counsel to the Speaker, Ky. •Sen. Maryellen Goodwin, R.I. • Ellen Gordon, Administrator,Emergency Management Division, Iowa • Sen. Toni NathanielHarp, Conn. • Treas. David Heineman, Neb. • Sen. DouglasHenry, Tenn. • Lt. Gov. Steve Henry, Ky. • AssemblymanLynn Hettrick, Nev. • Treas. Jim Hill, Ore. • Rep. Kip Holden,La. • Sen. John Hottinger, Minn. • Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ark. •Judge Bob Hunter, N.C. • Sen. Tim Jennings, N.M. • Sec. ofState Bill Jones, Calif. • Lilia Judson, Executive Director,Division of State Court Administration, Ind. • Gov. AngusKing Jr., Maine • Speaker Douglas Kristensen, Neb. • Sen. SueLandske, Ind. • Gov. Michael Leavitt, Utah • Rep. VictorLescovitz, Pa. • Rep. Paul Mannweiler, Ind. • Sen. Vice Pres.Pro Tem John J. Marchi, NY. • Sen. Kenneth McClintock, P.R.• Rep. Ed McKechnie, Kan. • Stan McKinney, Director, Div. ofEmergency Preparedness, S.C. • Chief Justice Robert A.Miller, S.D. • Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, Minn. •William Montgomery, Director, Division of Research, LegislativeCouncil, Del. • Sec. of State Ralph Munro, Wash. • SpeakerThomas B. Murphy, Ga. • Sen. David Nething, N.D. • Rep.Marcus Oshiro, Hawaii • Gov. George Pataki, N.Y. • RonaldPenny, Director, Office of State Personnel, N.C. • SpeakerChuck Perricone, Mich. • Sen. Pres. Ray Powers, Colo. • VirgilPuskarich, Executive Director, Local Government Commission,Penn. • Mary Regel, Administrator, Division of InternationalDevelopment, Wis. • Heather Rein, Committee Administrator,Minn. • Speaker Jody Richards, Ky. • Gov. Pedro Rosselló,P.R. • Paula K. Roy, Executive Director, Health CareCommission, Del. • Gov. George H. Ryan, Ill. • Sen. JohnSandy, Idaho • Rep. Ray Short, Utah • Attorney General CarlaStovall, Kan. • Rep. Jessie Stratton, Conn. • Richard Thomas,Director, Real Property Management Group, N.Y. • Gov.Tommy G. Thompson, Wis. • Sen. Pres. Earl Ray Tomblin,W.Va. • Sen. Donne Trotter, Ill. • Ray Wahl, Juvenile CourtAdministrator, Utah • Lt. Gov. Olene Walker, Utah • GailWekenborg, Division of Information Services, Mo. • JeffWells, Counsel, Dept. of Labor and Employment, Colo. • Sen.Jeff Wentworth, Texas • Assemblyman Robert C. Wertz, N.Y.

STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS, ISSN 0039-0119, September 2000,Vol. 43, No. 8 — Published monthly with combined issues in June/Julyand Nov./Dec. by The Council of State Governments, 2760 Research ParkDrive, Lexington, KY 40511-8410. Opinions expressed in this magazinedo not necessarily reflect the policies of The Council of StateGovernments nor the views of the editorial staff. Readers’ comments arewelcome. Subscription rates — In the U.S., $39 per year. Otheraddresses, $45 per year, surface mail. Single issues are available at $6 percopy. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to State Government News,Sales Department, P.O. Box 11910, Lexington, KY 40578-1910.

Advertising — Black and white, two-color and full-color advertisingavailable. For complete circulation and advertising information, contactthe advertising department at (859) 244-8118. Mailing lists are availablefor rent upon approval of a sample mailing.

Copyright 2000 by The Council of State Governments. Periodicals postagepaid at Lexington, Ky., and at additional mailing offices.

council offices

Daniel M. Sprague, Executive Director

headquarters2760 Research Park Drive

P.O. Box 11910Lexington, KY 40578-1910

(859) 244-8000

washingtonJim Brown, General Counsel & Director

Hall of the States444 N. Capitol St., N.W., Suite 401

Washington, DC 20001(202) 624-5460

easternAlan V. Sokolow, Director

5 World Trade Center, Suite 9241New York, NY 10048

(212) 912-0128

midwesternMichael H. McCabe, Director

641 E. Butterfield Road, Suite 401Lombard, IL 60148

(630) 810-0210

southernColleen Cousineau, Director3355 Lenox Road, Suite 1050

Atlanta, GA 30326(404) 266-1271

westernKent Briggs, Director

121 Second Street, 4th FloorSan Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 974-6422Denver, CO: (303) 572-5454

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s the nation approaches theNovember 2000 elections,there are increasingly grim fore-

casts as to voter turnout. In 1992, only55 percent of the voting-age public castballots in the presidential election. By1996, that number was down to 48.4percent, with an alarmingly low 30percent of those ages 18-24 voting.This is only a bookend to the down-ward spiral in voter participation thathas afflicted America since 1972. Arecent survey revealed a shocking sta-tistic: More than 50 percent of thenation’s children live in a householdwhere neither parents or guardianshave ever voted!

Kids Voting USA, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization, is making tremen-dous strides to reverse that downwardslide. Founded in Arizona in the late1980s by a few business and educationleaders concerned about the dire out-look of voting participation, the programhas expanded into a national organi-zation with the goal of increasing voterawareness among the young so thatthis interest may filter up to adults inthe household. The organization hasgained highly favorable recognitionand recently was mentioned in a reso-lution introduced in the U.S. House ofRepresentatives. The bill would offi-cially make this coming Election Dayon Nov. 7 “Take Your Kids to Vote Day,”an idea that Kids Voting USA has beenchampioning since its inception.

Through educational programs

Researchers say a

program to educate and

encourage children to go

to the polls with their

parents is improving

voter turnout among

participants.

BY KAREN T. SCATES

linked with local school districts gradesK-12 and a system of ballots that al-lows students to accompany their par-ents to the polling place and cast a vote,Kids Voting USA has increased thelikelihood that everyone involved inthe program, even parents, are morelikely to participate in the democraticsystem. Its scope has doubled in everyelection since 1992, and come Nov. 7,the organization hopes to involve 5million schoolchildren with 2 millionactually casting ballots.

Earlier this year, Kids Voting USAwas active in the key New Hampshireprimary, with nearly 8,000 studentscasting ballots alongside their parentsat official polling places. Gov. JeanneShaheen said, “If the program succeedsin getting students involved in politics,that’s one of the most important thingsyou can learn as you go through school.”

In El Paso, Texas, County ElectionsAdministrator Helen Jamison said: “KidsVoting is a great program. It gets theparents out to vote.” True enough, theorganization’s efforts to rebuild andstrengthen the tenuous connectionAmerica’s youth has to its democraticprocess helps the parents as well as thechildren.

Steven Chaffee of Stanford Univer-sity said, “Kids Voting succeeded notonly in building citizen competenciesin the students who were taught di-rectly, it had the same kind of effects,indirectly, on their parents.”

Chaffee, who holds a doctorate in

_______________Karen T. Scates is president and chiefexecutive officer of Kids Voting USA.

For more information, contact Paula Caseat (480) 921-3727 or visit

www.kidsvotingusa.org.

A programto educatechildren onvoting hasincreasedvoterturnout foradults.

electionselections

Startthe

votinghabitearly


communications, was one of the manyacademics and political science expertswho did quantitative research as to theeffects of the programs. “These find-ings are remarkable for their magni-tude and consistency,” he said. “Theyfar exceed our expectations.”

Communities with Kids Voting pro-grams see voter turnout increase byaround 5 percent, and in some areasas much as 10 percent, according tofindings produced by Chaffee andBruce Merrill, of Arizona State Uni-versity. Merrill holds a doctorate inpolitical behavior. The two research-ers said, “In 1996, the percentage issolidly 5 percent. To be able to say thatany one program is a factor for why 5percent of the population voted is noth-ing less than remarkable.”

While the impact on the parents wasremarkable enough, the impact on thechildren themselves has been evengreater. In 1996, Diana B. Carlin of theUniversity of Kansas, in conjunctionwith Kansas Secretary of State Ron

Thornburgh, measured the program’simpact on students who subsequentlyturned 18 years old, against their peerswho had not participated in the pro-gram. Carlin found that the 18-year-olds who had been involved in KidsVoting USA voted at a rate 8 percenthigher than their peers.

Other findings by the researchersindicated that the programs eliminatedvoting differences across socioeco-nomic barriers. This is important be-cause normally the affluent vote inmuch greater numbers than the lessaffluent. The program also plays a rolein closing the “gender gap” in class-room social studies discussion, whichcommonly results in boys typically dis-playing more interest and a greaterinclination for strong opinion thangirls.

“Kids Voting managed to substan-tially reduce the gender gap in candi-date/election knowledge by its verystrong effects among girls,” said JackMcLeod of the University of Wiscon-

sin. He holds a doctorate in social psy-chology.

Chaffee said, “Kids Voting acts toclose the gap between socioeconomiclevels, reducing the gap for all formsof communication to zero.”

Additionally, students in the pro-gram were found to be 30 percent morelikely to pay attention to media news,25 percent more likely to initiate po-litical discussions with family and 25percent more likely to express opinionsabout voting and politics than nonpar-ticipants.

Kids Voting USA is taking an in-sightful approach to the problem of lowvoter turnout in America, getting kidsinvolved at a young age with a programthat ensures their future participationas well as increasing the participationof their parents. Kids Voting USA urgesparents, teachers and administrators toget involved, get out to vote on Nov. 7,and give your children a connectionto the strongest tradition of our democ-racy.


Elected officials can ensure that

public colleges and universities

perform to public expectations by

selecting the right people for their

governing boards.

BY RICHARD NOVAK

he governing boards of public colleges and universitiesare an important policy tool for a strong and effectivehigher education system. The boards link governors, leg-

islators and the public with the college and university commu-nity and ensure that their needs and priorities will be heard.

Citizen governance — the system of college oversight by laypeople who are neither university faculty or employees norstate government officials — is a hallmark of U.S. higher edu-cation. In partnership with state elected and university execu-tive leadership, the system of governance can be an essentialcomponent of a healthy higher education system.

_______________Richard Novak is executive director of the Center for Public HigherEducation Trusteeship and Governance, Association of Governing

Boards of Universities and Colleges. Neal Johnson, deputy executivedirector of the Center, also contributed to this article.

higher educationhigher education

Keys togoverning

universities


Even though governing boards serveas critical links to society and its needs,they must not compromise their inde-pendence in making educationalpolicy. A governing board needs toengage elected leaders, the businesscommunity, alumni, faculty, studentsand staff in its policy-making process.Making sound educational policy re-quires that a board balance the public

and accountability, while granting in-creased flexibility and autonomy toincrease quality, respond to new stu-dent markets, collaborate with K-12education on school reform and buildsustainable partnerships with businessto address economic developmentneeds. Notable changes in these areashave been made in Kentucky, Hawaii,Maine, Missouri, New Jersey and Ore-gon. Such changes enhance board au-thority and responsibility for makingeducational policy and increase theneed for strategic thinking. But to carryout this additional authority and re-sponsibility a state needs lay boards ofhigh-caliber trustees.

The vast majority of university andcollege boards are appointed by gover-nors and confirmed by the state sen-ate or full legislature. In only four statesdo voters in general elections chooseuniversity boards. Because strong stateuniversity systems require effectivegoverning boards to make policy, whatshould elected leaders consider whenmaking board appointments, and whatimprovements to selection processesshould state leaders contemplate? TheAssociation of Governing Boards ofUniversities and Colleges’ Center forPublic Higher Education Trusteeshipand Governance suggests the follow-ing ideas and strategies:

1) Send a clear signal that meritcomes first in appointing governingboard members for public universities.Governors should recruit and appointcivic and business leaders, as well aseducators and others of stature, whounderstand the broad role of publichigher education in society. The mosteffective trustees and regents have theknowledge base — and the leadershipand listening skills — to craft effectivepolicy in a rapidly evolving environ-ment. In addition, governors shouldseriously consider reappointing trust-ees who have demonstrated their valueto their board, institutions and com-munity — even if political expediencyor party affiliation argues against re-appointment.

Utah Board of Regents, said, “Howboards respond to political pressure isimportant. We must be mindful thatwe sit right in the middle between thestate and the institutions.”

The trustee leadership of the boardmust master skills such as advocating,analyzing, listening and interpreting,mixed with a measure of politicalacumen.

interest and other competing interestswith the mission and aspirations of theinstitution or university system itoversees.

Robert Woodbury, former chancel-lor of the University of Maine System,said, “People in the university havemore immediate concerns and definedroles. A good board with alert memberscan provide a much broader view of theuniversity’s role within state priorities.”

For a board to maintain its policyindependence and negotiate a chal-lenging and changing political terrain,it must be made up of individuals whofocus collectively on big-picture policyissues and avoid partisanship. DaleZabriskie, a 12-year member of the

Too often, boards fail to successfullybalance competing interests or to en-gage constituents and those with themost at stake. As a result, they are per-ceived as captives of special interests,such as the university administrationor the governor or legislature. Stateleaders may call for an overhaul of thestructure of governance when boardssurrender their policy independence,when they appear unresponsive tostate needs, or cannot provide the re-quired educational services or execu-tive leadership.

Recently, several states have enactedcreative, positive changes in publichigher education. These changes areintended to strengthen performance

University governing boards make educational policy.


2) Consider creating a nonpartisanadvisory or nominating committee torecruit, screen and recommend boardcandidates. Kentucky, Massachusettsand Minnesota established committeesthrough executive order or legislationto recommend candidates to the ap-pointing authority for vacancies onstate institutional, multicampus or co-ordinating boards. The best of theseadvisory committees are guided bywritten qualifications for prospectivemembers that are tailored to eachboard.

New Jersey permits its state collegeand university boards to screen andrecommend potential candidates to thegovernor for board vacancies.

“We look at each individual college’sunique mission, goals and needs, andwe look to the boards of trustees toassist us in identifying the most quali-fied candidates,” said New Jersey Gov.Christine Whitman. “This approach,which balances a high degree of au-tonomy with accountability, hasworked well for the students and thepeople of New Jersey.”

3) Ensure that public college anduniversity governing boards have the

ResourcesA part of the Association of

Governing Boards of Universitiesand Colleges, the Center for PublicCollege and University Trusteeshipand Governance facilitates strength-ened relationships between publiccolleges and universities and stategovernments by encouraging im-provements in the capacity, perfor-mance and effectiveness of publicboards and in the practice of citi-zen trusteeship.

By being a dependable and ob-jective resource for state govern-ment and higher education leaderson the difficult public-policy gov-ernance issues affecting publiccolleges and universities, and bybeing an effective convener, collab-orator and provider of informationand service, the center stimulatesneeded reform of citizen trustee-ship and governing structures,while respecting the different cul-tures and traditions within eachstate that it works.

Its 23-member advisory councilincludes former Illinois Gov. JimEdgar, former Georgia Gov. andU.S. Sen. Zell Miller, Utah Lt. Gov.Olene Walker and Dan Sprague,executive director of The Councilof State Governments.

scale, skill mix and insti-tutional memory requiredto oversee complex mod-ern higher education in-stitutions and systems.Large or growing institu-tions or systems shouldhave at least 12 members— and those with com-plex missions or policychallenges may need to belarger. Experience counts:Effective leadership isbuilt on six-year terms forboard members. Gover-nors should resist legis-lative efforts to reduceboard members’ terms orlink them to electoralturnover.

4) Set clear expecta-tions for board members.Board members shouldfully exercise independent

judgment while formulating academicpolicy and balancing institutional andstate interests. Rather than microman-aging, boards should allow chief execu-tives and other administrators to getthe job done. Boards should be mind-ful of their responsibility to provide thefirst level of public accountability forinstitutional performance, missionachievement, prudent expenditure ofpublic funds and senior administrators’performance.

5) Establish a channel for commu-nicating state priorities to governingboards.

“The most useful thing elected of-ficials can do on behalf of their consti-tuents is to articulate a clear, conciseand consistent set of basic expectationsfor higher education,” said formerGeorgia Gov. and U.S. Sen. Zell Miller.“The goal of these expectations shouldbe to define how public education canand will contribute to achieving over-arching state priorities.”

Elected officials should set an expec-tation for regular communication withboard leadership and chief executivesabout how institutions are respondingto state priorities, or how they are con-

“We look at each individualcollege’s unique mission,goals and needs, and we

look to the boards oftrustees to assist us inidentifying the most

qualified candidates.”New Jersey Gov. Christine Whitman

tributing to the resolution of majorpolicy issues and problems.

6) Promote board orientation andeducation programs both at the insti-tutional and state level that bring to-gether regents and trustees to discusstheir basic responsibilities and to attaina full understanding of state-levelissues and funding priorities. An an-nual or biannual state education pro-gram — particularly in states withmultiple higher education boards —can strengthen communication andunderstanding, clarify responsibilitiesand contribute to board cohesion andgeneral effectiveness.


This calendar lists annual meetingdates of associations serving stateofficials. For more information on aparticular meeting, call the numberlisted.

“CSG” denotes organizations af-filiated with CSG.

Direct new entries or correctionsby the first of the month to:

Allison SpurrierThe Conference CalendarCSGP.O. Box 11910Lexington, KY 40578-1910(859) 244-8113or e-mail to [email protected] CSG’s Web site, www.csg.org

or www.StatesNews.org, to see up-dated information and links to otherorganizations and host cities.

SEPTEMBER 2000September 10-12 — Sunday-TuesdayWomen Executives in State Gov-ernment (WESG) 2000 AnnualConference: Excellence 2000: Per-formance, Innovation, Partner-ships — Annapolis, MD — LoewsAnnapolis Hotel. Contact WESG at(202) 628-9374, www.wesg.org ore-mail: [email protected] 14-16 —Thursday-SaturdayCSG/Council on Licensure,Enforcement and Regulation(CLEAR) Annual Conference —Miami, FL — Wyndham HotelBiscayne Bay (Turner, Lexington)(859) 269-1802September 23-26 - Saturday-TuesdayCSG/National Association of StateTreasurers (NAST) NortheastState Treasurers Conference —Charleston, WV — Embassy Suites(Hamilton, Lexington) (859) 244-8174, [email protected] 25-26 — Monday-TuesdayCSG/Southern Governors’ Associ-ation (SGA) 66th Annual Meet-ing — Little Rock, AK — The Ex-celsior (Purdy, DC) (202) 624-5897,[email protected] 30-October 5 —Saturday-ThursdayCSG/Henry Toll Fellowship Pro-gram — Lexington, KY — HiltonSuites (Powell, Lexington) (859)244-8249, [email protected]

OCTOBER 2000October 12-14 — Thursday-SaturdayCSG-WEST Legislative ServiceAgency/Research Directors(LSA/RD) Meeting — San Fran-cisco, CA — Sir Francis Drake Ho-tel (Duvauchelle, San Francisco)(415) 974-6422

NOVEMBER 2000November 1-3 — Wednesday-FridayCSG/Northeast Recycling Coun-cil (NERC) Fall Meeting —Northeast New Jersey — Hotel tobe announced (Bartlett, Brattleboro)(802) 254-3636, [email protected] 15-18 —Wednesday-SaturdayCSG-WEST Annual Meeting —San Diego, CA — Hyatt Islandia(Duvauchelle, San Francisco) (415)974-6422November 15-19 —Wednesday-SundayCSG/Southern Legislative Con-ference Fall Legislative IssuesConference — Coral Gables, FL —Hyatt Regency Coral Gables (Cousi-neau, Atlanta) (404) 266-1271

DECEMBER 2000December 7-9 — Thursday-SaturdayConference of State Court Ad-ministrators (COSCA) MidyearMeeting — Phoenix, AZ — By in-vitation only (Rockwell, Williams-burg) (757) 259-1841December 7-11 — Thursday-MondayCSG 2000 Annual Meeting andState Leadership Forum — Dear-born, MI — Dearborn Hyatt Re-gency (Hines, Lexington) (859)244-8103, [email protected]

FEBRUARY 2001February 2-5 — Friday -MondayCSG/National Conference ofLieutenant Governors (NCLG)State/ Federal Meeting — Wash-ington, DC — Willard Inter-Conti-nental (Manning, Lexington) (859)244-8171, [email protected] orvisit www.nclg.org

APRIL 2001April 4-9 — Wednesday-MondayCSG Spring National Committeeand Task Force Meetings —Santa Fe, NM — El Dorado (Hines,Lexington) (859) 244-8103

JUNE 2001June 27-July 1 — Wednesday-SundayCSG/National Conference ofLieutenant Governors (NCLG)Annual Meeting — Louisville, KY— The Seelbach (Manning, Lexing-ton) (859) 244- 8171, [email protected]

JULY 2001July 14-July 18 —Saturday-WednesdayCSG/Southern Legislative Con-ference (SLC) Annual Meeting— Savannah, GA — Hotel to be an-nounced (Cousineau, Atlanta)(404) 266-1271, slcatlanta.org

July 29-August 1 —Sunday-WednesdayCSG/Midwestern LegislativeConference (MLC) 56th AnnualMeeting — Lincoln, NE — TheCornhusker (McCabe, Lombard)(630) 810-0210

SEPTEMBER 2001September 9-11 — Sunday-TuesdayCSG/Southern Governors’ Asso-ciation 67th Annual Meeting —Lexington, KY — Marriott’s Grif-fin Gate Resort (Purdy, DC) (202)624-5897, [email protected] 13-15 —Thursday-SaturdayCSG/Council on Licensure,Enforcement and Regulation(CLEAR) Annual Conference —San Antonio, TX — Hyatt Regencyon the Riverwalk (Turner, Lexing-ton) (859) 269-1802September 20-24 —Thursday-MondayCSG 2001 Annual Meeting andState Leadership Forum — An-chorage, Alaska — Hilton Anchor-

age and The Hotel Captain Cook(Hines, Lexington) (859) 244-8103,[email protected]

JULY 2002July 6-10 — Saturday-WednesdayCSG/Southern Legislative Con-ference (SLC) Annual Meeting— New Orleans, LA — Hotel to beannounced (Cousineau, Atlanta)(404) 266-1271, slcatlanta.org

DECEMBER 2002December — Dates to be announcedCSG 2002 Annual Meeting andState Leadership Forum — Rich-mond, VA — Hotel to be announced(Hines, Lexington) (859) 244-8103,[email protected]

AUGUST 2003August 9-12 — Saturday-TuesdayCSG/Southern Legislative Con-ference (SLC) Annual Meeting— Fort Worth, TX — Hotel to beannounced (Cousineau, Atlanta)(404) 266-1271, slcatlanta.org

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tates are increasingly turning to mediation, consultation andnegotiations to build consensus, Minnesota Senate Major-

ity Leader Roger Moe told 300 people attending the first Summitof the States on Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution.Ambassadors representing 47 states and four territories were

among those attending the summit June8-10 in Lexington, Ky., convened by The

Council of State Governments’ National Institute for State Con-flict Management.

Legislators, governors and policy-makers at all levels have usedalternative dispute resolution to reach agreement on contentiousissues, such as restoring salmon populations in Oregon, protect-ing coastal land in Delaware and reforming school funding inKansas, Moe said.

Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton, CSG president, said, “I welcomemethods for governments to solve intractable conflicts.” Kentucky’suse of alternative dispute resolution for environmental disputessaves hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, Patton said.

Roger Fisher, professor emeritus at Harvard University and best-selling author, shared insights into successful techniques basedon his successes in resolving international and other high-leveldisputes, assisted by John Richardson of Harvard Law School.Fisher urged use of brainstorming sessions as a way to get oppo-nents to start the process of working out solutions.

Ohio Senate Majority Whip Merle Grace Kearns said with termlimits new legislators only have eight years to get things done,making consensus building vital. “Term limits are adding to thedifficulty of passing good legislation,” Kearns said.

A projected increase in use of alternative dispute resolutionwill mean savings for taxpayers, according to a survey released byCSG June 14. In the survey of 102 A.D.R. professionals from acrossthe nation, nearly every one expected increased use of A.D.R. instate and territorial governments. Nearly three-quarters said thatwould save tax dollars, with one-fifth estimating savings of $5 forevery $1 spent on A.D.R. “Over 80 percent of these practitionerssaid the use of mediation in state government improves thepublic’s perception of state government. They said A.D.R. cuts pub-lic expenditures and fosters collaboration instead of dispute withstate government,” said CSG Executive Director Daniel Sprague.

For more information, contact Bert Harberson at (859) 244-8228 or [email protected].

Summit covers conflict resolution

clip

She sixth class of the National In-stitute for Public Finance was

held Sept. 5-9, at the Kellogg School ofNorthwestern University in Chicago.

Sponsored by theNational Associa-

tion of State Treasurers, the Instituteprovides an in-depth course on publicfinance and balances theory and prac-tice. Topics included cash management,debt management, investment policiesand practices, and management ofpublic-finance operations.

“The Institute continues the educationand professional development of thoseof us who are finance professionals. Itis invaluable,” said Colorado TreasurerMike Coffman.

Utah state treasurer Ed Alter said,“The Institute faculty offer a wealth ofexperience to learn from — no matterhow much experience you bring to theclassroom.” Alter serves as an advisorto the CSG Finance Committee.

Information is available online atwww.nast.net.

Public financetaught

T

ore than 600 state and localgovernment jurisdictions have

registered to use GovStoreUSA.com, aWeb site designed for government pro-curement and purchasing agencies and

individuals. TheCouncil of State

Governments cosponsors the site withthe International City/County Manage-ment Association. Planned updates willallow members easier access to moredetailed information about productsand services. State officials and otherCSG members can purchase information-technology products and services at a dis-count by visiting www.govstoreusa.comand registering for a password.

GovStoreUSA.comexpands services

national

nast

The Council of State Governments’ National Institute for State ConflictManagement thanks the following sponsors of the Summit of the

States on Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution• ADRWorld.com• American Arbitration

Association• American Bar Association• CSG Twenty-First Century

Fund• Commonwealth of Kentucky• Cybersettle.com

• Delta Air Lines, Inc.• Marriott’s Griffin Gate Resort• Martindale-Hubble• MAXIMUS, INC.• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.• Society of Professionals in

Dispute Resolution• University of Kentucky

M

Minnesota SenateMajority LeaderRoger Moe

Roger Fisher,HarvardUniversity

Kentucky Gov.Paul Patton

Cynthia Savage,director, Office ofDispute Resolution,Colorado


tate and local officials from Ari-zona, Kentucky, Massachusetts,

Michigan, North Dakota, Texas and Vir-ginia discussed international affairs at

a fellowship pro-gram hosted by

The George Washington University’sElliott School of International Affairs,June 15-17 in Washington, D.C. Partici-pants considered adjustments to legis-lation to comply with internationalagreements, trade and investment chal-lenges, and ways to address constitu-ents’ fears and aspirations.

“Massachusetts has benefited morefrom globalization than most otherstates,” said Massachusetts state Rep.Dan Bosley, “but many of my constitu-ents don’t see that.”

North Dakota agricultural expertLance Gaebe said, “We tend to focuson the threats of being a border state,instead of the opportunities.”

Speakers included former U.S. Am-

A global review

international

S bassador to China James Sasser andexperts from federal and state govern-ments, businesses, labor unions, non-profit organizations and The GeorgeWashington University.

CSG members attending includedArizona Sen. Elaine Richardson, Ken-tucky Sen. Brett Guthrie, MassachusettsRep. Daniel Bosley, Michigan Rep.Charles LaSata, North Dakota Sen. TonyGrindberg, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar andVirginia Delegate Viola Baskerville. Alsoattending were mayors, county commis-sioners and leaders from state eco-nomic development agencies and theprivate sector. The program’s advisoryboard includes CSG Executive Commit-tee members Colorado Senate PresidentRay Powers and Washington Secretaryof State Ralph Munro.

The program was sponsored by theU.S. Department of Education with sup-port from the Business Roundtable andthe BASF Corporation.

E-Government Leadership Awardhe Council of State Governments has launched a national award to recog-nize technology in the states. The “Eagle” — E-Government Leadership Award

will recognize innovative service delivery via the Internet by state governments.One application will be accepted per state and must be submitted by the governor’s

office. Applicants must explain how the Web site providesservices and describe its distinguishing characteristics.

CSG will recognize the “MVP,” best all-around state government Web site, aswell as “Best Innovation.”

“This award program offers a platform for for-ward-thinking states to share information abouttheir initiatives with state leaders across the na-tion,” said CSG Executive Director Daniel Sprague.

Deadline for applications is Sept. 29. Applications must be completed online atwww.csg.org. Winners will be announced in November and recognized at theDecember CSG Annual Meeting and State Leadership Forum in Dearborn, Mich.

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he American Probation and Parole Association is celebrating its silver anni-versary. Twenty-five years of success and growth has built APPA as the voice

of probation and parole. APPA was founded Aug. 19, 1975 in Louisville Ky., andcontracted with The Council of State Governments to provide secretariat services

in 1987.Today, the association represents more than 26,000 pro-

fessionals from all job categories in community corrections. In 1999, APPA re-ceived a grant to operate the National Youth Court. APPA is leading the way inmeeting the challenges and needs for the profession and communities.

APPA marks 25th anniversary

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appa

he National Association of StateTreasurers held its first annual

conference 25 years ago in San Fran-cisco. NAST promotes the highest ethi-cal standards, along with education and

the exchange ofideas.

NAST is a powerful voice on publicpolicy. Through the NAST Office of Fed-eral Relations, state treasurers testifybefore Congress about issues that af-fect the states’ financial health. NASTand the College Savings Plans Network,an affiliated organization, won federaltax relief for qualified state tuition pro-grams. State college savings programsare one of many treasurer initiatives toadvocate financial education.

“State treasurers are advocates of fi-nancial savings education programs,” saidNebraska Treasurer David Heineman,president of NAST. “It is vital to get theword out to our citizens that savings andfinancial planning are crucial. By pro-viding money know-how to our citizens,they can be responsible for their long-term financial health.”

Links to the offices of the state trea-surers are available online www.nast.net.

NAST celebrates25 years

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nast

Visit CSGon

StatesNewswww.csg.org

Visit CSGon

StatesNewswww.csg.org


When asked, "Should states pass laws to recognize same-sex civil unions?" 54 percent responding to CSG's online poll said no and 46 percent said yes.

The September question:Should states fund school vouchers ?

To vote yes or no, visit CSG's Web site at www.csg.org. The poll will be open Sept. 1-12. Check the October issue for results and the next question.

hirty-three Midwestern state legislators and two Saskatchewan legislatorstook part in the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development in

Madison, Wis., July 7-11. BILLD is produced by the Midwestern Office of The Councilof State Governments in conjunction with The Robert M. La Follette Institute of

Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin. The programconsists of seminars on leadership training, professional devel-

opment and policy analysis.Each of the participants earned a fellowship through a nonpartisan, competitive

application process that is overseen by a steering committee of Midwestern legis-lators. For the first time, two legislators from the Canadian province of Saskatchewan,Carl Kwiatkowski and Pat Lorje, were selected as BILLD Fellows. Saskatchewanrecently became an affiliate member of the Midwestern Legislative Conference.

The following were 2000 BILLD Fellows: Illinois Reps. Suzanne Bassi, WilliamDelgado and Timothy Schmitz; Indiana Reps. Bob Cherry and Gary P. Dillon andSen. Robert N. Jackman; Iowa Reps. Lance Horbach and Steve Richardson and Sen.Betty Soukup; Kansas Reps. Bob Bethell, Ward Loyd and Doug Spangler; MichiganReps. Doug Bovin, Wayne Kuipers, Mickey Mortimer and Andy Neumann; Minne-sota Reps. Sondra Erickson, Gregory Gray and Jim Seifert; Nebraska Sens. PatrickBourne and Dennis Byars; North Dakota Reps. Byron Clark, Shirley Meyer and DaleSeverson; Ohio Reps. Catherine Barrett, Stephen Buehrer, J. David Goodman andPriscilla Mead; South Dakota Reps. Claire Konold and Mary Patterson; and Wiscon-sin Reps. Steve Kestell, Jon Richards and Jeff Stone.

For more information, call Laura Tomaka in the CSG Midwestern Office at (630)810-0210.

Leadership training offered lawmakers

the midwest

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eon Chi, senior fellow at TheCouncil of State Governments, is

the author of “Restructuring, QualityManagement, and Privatization in StateGovernment.” In a new book, MakingGovernment Work, Chi concluded that

states have usedprivatization as a

practical tool for improving governmentproductivity. Chi wrote that the successor failure of privatization depends onits use. He said policy-makers are ulti-mately accountable for privatized servicesand so should hold private providers ac-

Chi writes on privatization

national

K

Participants in the BILLD program receive leadership training.

countable for both their service perfor-mance and management practices.

“This book features descriptions fromthe nation’s governors and big-city mayorson how to make government more ef-fective and efficient,” said CSG ExecutiveDirector Daniel Sprague. “In the book,Dr. Chi is featured with eight of thenation’s most innovative governors. Chiis clearly a national leader in analysisof state governing and CSG is proud ofhis expertise and accomplishment.”

Chi is a regular contributor to CSG’sState Government News.

wo recent health policy forumsoffered by The Council of State

Governments allowed state leaders todiscuss health issues with nationalexperts.

A forum on immunization registries,May 18-21, inScottsdale, Ariz.,

addressed computerized informationsystems that maintain confidentialchildhood-immunization informationfor providers and parents. The registrieshelp to maintain high rates of childhoodimmunizations and decrease infantmortality due to childhood diseases.Speakers included Dr. Jose Cordero,deputy director of the National Immu-nization Program of the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention. The forumwas made possible by an educationalgrant from Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals.

A forum on medical research, June12-15, in Boston, Mass., included ses-sions on organ donation, insurance cov-erage for clinical trials and experimentaltreatments, and drug spending trends.

Attendees also toured a biotechnol-ogy facility. The forum was supportedthrough an educational grant fromNovartis Pharmaceuticals.

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Health forums held


estern legislators will convenein San Diego, Nov. 15-18, for

CSG-WEST’s Annual Meeting. Lawmakerscan attend policy sessions, including an

electoral reviewby CNN, domestic

terrorism, Internet democracy, Westernwater policy, public lands, legislative fis-cal challenges, energy and minerals.

In keeping with the theme of “TheNorth American West: Three Nations,One Region,” the meeting will includea global perspective on the region’seconomic, cultural and political ties, anddiscussions of common issues andtrade and transportation corridors thatoccur along the southern border be-tween the U.S. and Mexico.

Age Wave’s founder and author, KenDychtwald, will deliver a multimediapresentation on how baby boomers willaffect future policy, politics and pro-

California hosts CSG-WEST

the west

SG’s National Institute for StateConflict Management, in partner-

ship with the Patterson School of Di-plomacy and International Commerce

at the Universityof Kentucky, has

received funding from the U.S.-Asia En-vironmental Partnership for a $300,000project in India. The two-year projectwill develop a model approach for theresolution of dam-construction disputes.

“We’re thrilled that CSG’s Institute willhave the opportunity to bring conflictresolution expertise developed in thestates and territories to our neighborsinternationally,” said CSG Executive Di-rector Daniel M. Sprague. “This projectwill increase CSG’s visibility in one ofthe most important economic regionsin the world.”

U.S.-AEP is a public-private initiativethat is jointly implemented by severalU.S. government agencies, under theleadership of the U.S. Agency for Inter-national Development. Kentucky is oneof six states to receive a grant this year.

CSG thanks Delta Air Lines for its gen-erous support of this program.

For more information, contact AlbertHarberson, director of the Institute,CSG’s Center for Leadership, Innovation& Policy, (859) 244-8228, e-mail:[email protected].

Dam conflict

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W grams. Policy tours will be offered to atribal community, the U.S. OlympicTraining Center, San Diego regionalwater-storage facilities, an ocean-re-search center and regional agriculturalbusinesses. An ancillary meeting will beheld to talk about Western agricultureand the 2002 farm bill, and a discus-sion will be held of the impact of highereducation on the new economy in theWest. The National Hispanic Caucus ofState Legislators will discuss reappor-tionment and the 2000 elections.

A daily educational program for chil-dren will feature the San Diego Zoo, theReuben H. Fleet Science Center andBalboa Park museums. California legis-lators have planned family educationalopportunities. For registration informa-tion, call (415) 974-6422 or visit CSG-WEST’s Web site at www.csgwest.org.

Reports publishedhe Southern Legislative Confer-ence of The Council of State Gov-

ernments has released two new reports.Female Offenders: Special Needs and

Southern StateChallenges pro-

vides an overview of women understate or federal correctional authorityand a perspective on corrections poli-cies and programs intended to accom-modate their needs. The report includesa description of correctional facilities,policies and programs for women ineach of the 16 SLC states.

Drawing the Map: Redistricting in theSouth provides a historical perspectiveon the decennial process of redrawingstate and congressional districts. Thereport provides a state-by-state outlookfor the SLC region.

For a copy of either of these reports,contact the SLC at (404) 266-1271.

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he Council of State Governments’ Agricultural Policy Task Force held its firstmeeting July 15 in Chicago. It adopted a work plan and discussed trends in

agriculture.CSG chairman, Illinois Rep. Tom Ryder, emphasized the need for state coopera-

tion on agricultural policy. Kansas Sen. Stephen R. Morris andColorado Sen. Gigi Dennis chaired the meeting.

The task force will represent state government on national agriculture issues,promote the importance of agriculture to the U.S.economy and society, and guide CSG headquarters’agriculture-related projects. The task force will workwith existing CSG regional agriculture committees.

The task force passed resolutions encouraging pub-lic dialogue on biotechnology and addressing cropand property destruction by anti-biotechnology ac-tivists.

The task force in 2001 will host a national two-dayforum for state legislators and agriculture commis-sioners to identify state government priorities for thefederal farm policy.

Founding sponsors of the task force are the Ameri-can Crop Protection Association, Dow AgroSciences,DuPont, Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inc., andNovartis Crop Protection, Inc. Pfizer Animal Health,the American Crop Protection Association and theGrocery Manufacturers of America, Inc., hosted mealfunctions.

For more information, contact Cindy Lackey at (859) 244-8163 or [email protected],or visit the CSG Web site, www.csg.org.

New agricultural task force meets

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Colorado Sen. Gigi Dennis, co-chair of the CSG AgriculturalPolicy Task Force.

2000 Henry Toll Fellowship Program2000 Henry Toll Fellowship Program

commitment to continuous learning and improvement is the starting point on the

pathway to progress for every institution, public or private.

That’s why Kodak has strongly supported the Toll Fellowship Program.

The 2000 Toll Fellows come from diverse geographical, political and ethnic backgrounds. However, they have important qualities in

common: an openness to new and untried ideas, a readiness to tackle seemingly intractable problems, and a willingness to learn from and work with others.

By bringing together emerging leaders from across the country, exposing them to the latest and best practices from the 50 states, and equipping them with creative new approaches to getting things done, the Toll Fellowship Program helps improve government in ways that ultimately benefit all Americans.

Proud of our continued association with the Toll Fellowship Program, we at Kodak congratulate this year’s fellows and salute The Council of State Governments for this excellent program.

Daniel A. CarpPresident & Chief Executive Officer

know the future of state government is bright because the best and brightest are populating

our state and territorial capitols. Just a glance at this year’s class of Henry Toll Fellows is ample proof

of that.The sheer wealth of talent in

states makes it difficult for our selection committee to choose

among the numerous outstanding applicants to this

prestigious leadership development program.

It is The Council of State Governments’ hope that the Henry Toll Fellowship Program will better

prepare these leaders for the many challenges states face. If past is prelude, we expect great things based on the examples set by former Toll Fellows, among

them governors, legislative leaders, judges and members of Congress.

Like so many successful programs, this one is generously supported by both the private and public

sectors — a true partnership. CSG thanks all its corporate sponsors and the state of Kentucky for

their generous support.

Daniel M. SpragueExecutive Director


CSG’s national chairis a prime example

of how the Henry TollFellowship Program

can help buildleadership skills

BY DON HUNTER

he time was the summer of1987, as August eased into Sep-tember. The place was the roll-ing hills of Kentucky horse

country, the site of The Council ofState Governments’ national head-quarters in Lexington. Members ofthe second class of the Henry TollFellowship Program were engaged indiscussions and problem-solving ses-sions that transcended regionalboundaries and governmental divi-sions. The long and rewarding hoursthey spent in personal growth andprofessional development since havebecome a trademark of this presti-gious national leadership-trainingprogram.

Among the selected 32 state officialsthat year was a state representative from a rural district insouthwestern Illinois. Tom Ryder has come a long way sincethat summer, but the lessons he learned have helped him ashe has become a leader in his own state and at the nationallevel. He now is Republican deputy minority leader of theIllinois House and chair ofThe Council of State Govern-ments.

Although the Toll Fellow-ship Program was still in itsinfancy, Ryder remembers thegreat sense of honor he felt atbeing selected as one of the 32best and brightest among theelected and appointed stateofficials from the legislative,executive and judicial branch-es. The future CSG chaircame to Lexington expecting

to go through a week consistingmostly of fluff, but was pleasantlysurprised at the reality. “What I foundwas that the Toll week was a difficultone. We covered issues, did lots ofhard work and put in long hours,”Ryder said.

In only his fourth year of electedpublic service at the time, Ryderfound himself in the role of an eagerstudent, learning from unexpectedsources. Among his classmates wereagency directors and a judge. Rydersaid, “Hearing their perspective on in-tergovernmental relations and listen-ing to their ideas was great for me.Each one felt they could function bet-ter in their respective roles, if only theofficials in the other branches would

be more understanding and cooperative.”Over the years, he has reminisced with many Toll gradu-

ates and finds that they all reach a common point of en-lightenment. “Although the faculty presentations are great,about halfway through you discover that listening to other

participants and sharingyour experiences with themis where the real value andwealth of information is,” hesaid.

The Toll Program openedRyder’s eyes to regional simi-larities and differences.Ryder remembers how theconcluding presentations,developed and performed bythe class members from eachof CSG’s four regions, re-flected the flavor and person-ality of each area of the coun-try. Ever since, he has carrieda deep appreciation of re-gional distinctions.

Ryder said that he was pro-

_______________Don Hunter is the manager ofthe Information and Member-

ship Services Group at CSG anda Toll Fellow, Class of 1990, from

New Hampshire.

newsmakernewsmaker

Tom Ryder, Class of 1987• Leadership Service: Illinois repre-sentative since 1983, currently deputyminority leader of the House

• Education: J.D., Washington andLee University; B.A. Northern IllinoisUniversity

• Current Challenges: Increasing employment oppor-tunities in his district and spreading economic successto small farmers

• CSG ties: Chair of CSG, National Executive Commit-tee, Midwestern Legislative Conference Executive Com-mittee, BILLD Steering Committee, Strategic PlanningCommittee

• Family: Wife, Peggy, sons, Josh, 19, and Tim, 17


Toll Fellow profile contributorsWriters: Tim Anderson (TA), Michele Bushong (MB), James Carroll (JC), Bert Harberson (BH), Chester Hicks

(CH), Lee Anne Jacobs (LAJ), Jacqueline Kocinski (JK), Cindy Lackey (CL), Karen Marshall (KM), Trudi Matthews(TM), Malissa L. McAlister (MLM), Anne McCann (AM), Catherine McKinney (CM), Magdalena N. Mook(MNM), John Mountjoy (JM), Sean O’Leary (SOL), Douglas Pedersen (DP), Debbie J. Powell (DJP), Allison

Spurrier (AS), Matt Tewksbary (MT), Laura Tomaka (LT), Lei Xuan (LX)Editor: Elaine Stuart

Proofreading: Fred Vickers, Nancy VickersProduction: Skip Olson, Connie LaVake

Photo, profile coordination: Debbie J. Powell

Henry Wolcott TollThe Toll Fellows Program is named in honor of Henry Wolcott Toll, founder of The

Council of State Governments and a Colorado state senator from 1922 until 1930. Toll,a Denver native, practiced law in Denver and served in World War I. He sponsoredlegislation to establish the first Legislative Reference Office in Colorado. To improvestate legislative conditions across the country, Toll founded the first national associa-tion of state legislators in 1925. He compiled the first list of all the legislators in thenation and invited them to join the fledging association he located in Chicago in 1930.His association convened the first assembly of state legislators from numerous states in1933 to resolve tax conflicts among states. In 1933, the association adopted articles oforganization, forming CSG. Toll directed CSG until 1938. He continued to be active incivic affairs, receiving honors from many organizations. Toll remained CSG’s honorarypresident until his death in 1975.

How to be a Toll FellowActive state government officials and staff in the leg-

islative, executive and judicial branches may apply tobecome a Toll Fellow. Applicants must be nominatedby a top state official from the same branch of govern-ment and the same state as the nominee. A nationalcommittee of state officials selects 10 Toll Fellows andtwo alternates from each CSG region. Applicants mustattend the week-long leadership development sessionheld Sept. 29-Oct. 4, 2001, in Lexington, Ky., home toCSG’s national offices.

For more information, call Debbie J. Powell at (859)244-8249, or e-mail [email protected] or apply online,www.csg.org. The deadline for applications is Feb. 28,2001.

foundly affected by his Tollexperiences. He counts TollFellows among his bestfriends from other states,largely because they sharecommon bonds. One of theprogram’s lasting benefits isthat it forms a group of folkswho are dedicated to and be-lieve in CSG’s ability to promotestate solutions regionally andnationally. Ryder said that he“owes a debt to CSG that I’mstill paying.” Moreover, hesaid that he continues to getback more than he gives CSG,even with his demandingschedule as chair this year.

His sense of gratitude isboth personal and policy-related. He observed that most leg-islators (including him) come into office with knowledge inonly one major area at best and are generalists in other ar-eas. The Toll Program helps legislators create a frameworkof questions to ask so that they can get the information theyneed to make decisions in those areas where they lack ex-pertise. This systematic approach to understanding, exam-ining and researching (with the assistance of the array of

CSG resources) public-policyissues is the only methodRyder uses.

Asked to summarize hisfeelings about the program,Ryder said, “Toll was the bestconfidence-instilling event inmy career.”

He discovered that gettingtogether with and listening toa group of bright people cangenerate fresh ideas on howto deal with issues. “I foundthat it is better to work inthat type of collegial atmo-sphere across state lines andthe boundaries of govern-mental branches than tostruggle with issues in isola-

tion,” he said.Although he is surprised that it has taken so long for a

Toll graduate to become CSG chair, Ryder is humbled thathe is the first and is confident that he won’t be the last.Ryder denies that he is interested in trying to become thefirst Toll Fellow to serve as president of CSG, an office tra-ditionally held by a governor, but Ryder believes that a Tollgraduate will rise to hold that CSG post in the future.


Jeffrion L. AubryNew York assemblyman

Consensus builder

Assemblyman Jeffrion L. Aubry isdriven by his desire to help others. Hehas worked in the public sector most

of his life, and hasserved in the NewYork Assemblysince 1992.

Aubry is work-ing to reform hisstate’s mandatory

drug laws, known as the RockefellerDrug Laws, and re-establish judicialdiscretion in sentencing. He also isseeking reforms in the state correc-tion system that would emphasize ref-ormation of inmates and increase theirpotential to become a viable part ofsociety.

Aubry, a Democrat, sees his great-est challenge, and greatest joy, asbuilding consensus in his community.The 35th Assembly District of QueensCounty, which Aubry represents, is oneof the most diverse districts in thecountry. “Bringing together constitu-ents from such varied racial back-grounds is tough,” Aubry said, but hewelcomes the challenge as a means tohelp those in his community.

Despite his many accomplish-ments, Aubry feels his work in the As-sembly has only just begun. Lookingto the future, Aubry hopes to continueserving in the New York Legislature.He says, “I find the tasks here not onlyrelevant, but challenging.”

When he’s not working, Aubryenjoys reading, sports (especially bas-ketball) and spending time with hisfive children and five grandchildren.— LAJ

Bagger said, “but I see it as my dutyto demonstrate the effectiveness ofthe democratic process.”

Bagger, 40, also serves as Re-publican majority fiscal officer andco-chairman of the Joint BudgetOversight Committee. Additionally,during the 1994-94 and 1996-97sessions, Bagger’s legislative col-leagues elected him majority con-ference leader.

A lifelong resident of Westfield,Bagger graduated from Princeton’sWoodrow Wilson School of Publicand International Affairs in 1982 andfrom Rutgers Law School, with hon-ors, in 1986. He lives with his wifeBarbara and their three daughters,Kate, 7, Jennifer and Meredith, both3. — LAJ

Richard H. BaggerNew Jersey assemblyman

Steadfast leader

Assemblyman Rich Bagger is de-scribed as having a quiet, yet force-ful, style of leadership, and as aleader who is able to reach consen-

sus through hispatience and will-ingness to listen.These traits haveallowed Baggerto sponsor nearly100 bills that have

become law during his nine-yeartenure in the New Jersey Legislature.

Bagger grew up surrounded bypeople involved in public serviceand is a firm believer in the legisla-tive process. “By reaching out, lis-tening and applying intellectual fo-cus, we can solve most legislativeproblems,” Bagger said.

Societal problems are often moredifficult to tackle, he said, but byanalyzing the issue and carefullycrafting legislation, solutions can befound through the legislative process.

Bagger has made significantstrides to improve services for chil-dren at risk. He combined his inter-est in human services and his fiscalskills as chairman of the Appropria-tions Committee to evaluate and ac-celerate the adoption process. Inresponse to complaints from par-ents, Bagger also worked with theNew Jersey Parents’ Caucus to pro-vide a single point of entry into thestate system of youth services to en-sure that children receive the mostbeneficial services for their particu-lar needs. “Confidence in govern-ment institutions is sometimes low,”

Toni CrosbyNew Hampshirerepresentative

Communicator

As assistant minority whip in NewHampshire, Rep. Toni Crosby haslearned to foster communicationamong the members of the Demo-

cratic Party aswell as across theaisle with mem-bers of the major-ity party. “I workto foster commu-nication between

the parties to ensure that the focusof any debate remains on the issue,”Crosby said.

A member of the Commerce Com-mittee, Crosby has played a crucialrole in securing greater protectionsfor consumers from managed-careabuses through her work on NewHampshire’s HMO AccountabilityAct. “My peers and I will be contin-uing to look for the balance betweenconsumers and health maintenanceorganizations,” Crosby said.

In her third term in the NewHampshire House of Representa-tives, Crosby, a mother, also hasbeen active in work on school ac-countability and efforts to find aresolution to school-funding re-

“Toll was thebestconfidence-instillingevent in mycareer.”— Illinois Rep.Tom Ryder, Classof 1987


quirements mandated by the NewHampshire Supreme Court. TheClaremont II decision, which struckdown locally determined propertytaxes in 1997, has been a thorny is-sue as state leaders have sought afunding mechanism for public edu-cation that meets the court’s guide-lines but that does not put into placean unpopular new tax scheme.

Outside the Legislature, Crosby,42, works as co-manager of a law-school bookstore and has been ac-tive in community affairs. She hasserved on the boards of the NewHampshire Business Finance Au-thority, the Parent Teacher Organi-zation of Conant Elementary School,and the New Hampshire chapter ofthe National Abortion Rights ActionLeague.

Crosby also is co-chair of CSG’sEastern Regional Conference and islooking forward to helping herhome state host the ERC AnnualMeeting in 2001. New HampshireGov. Jeanne Shaheen said, “[Toni’s]enthusiasm, organizational ability,and follow through will surely makeit a memorable and successful meet-ing.” — TM

Maureen DakinVermont representative

Tested by fire

“I never thought I would actuallyrun for office,” said Vermont Rep.Maureen Dakin. After being ap-pointed to fill a vacant seat in 1997,

however, she de-cided to run tohold the seat forthe DemocraticParty. She waselected in 1998and is seeking re-

election this year.As a legislator Dakin is a consen-

sus builder, using her skills as apeople person and working with agroup of fellow legislative moder-ates. She enjoys the feeling of mak-ing a difference as a public official.Since Vermont has part-time legis-lators who do most of their own re-

search, “You really feel as if you’veaccomplished something,” Dakinsaid.

The biggest challenge of her leg-islative career was the civil-unionslaw, which this year granted to homo-sexual couples the same benefits asheterosexual couples. During thedebate, legislators encountered thehate of neighbors and endured in-creased security at the Statehouse.

“I’m forever changed by the ex-perience. I can’t say yet if it’s for thebetter or the worse,” Dakin said.“I’m very proud of how I have con-ducted myself in the situation —how I arrived at my decision, how Iresponded to my constituents.” Shevisited the people who sent her theworst hate mail and phone messagesand discussed the issue and herposition. “They were shocked to findme knocking on their door.”

Dakin, 50, has served as the lo-cal chair of her political party for20 years. In her spare time, Dakinvolunteers at the local library inColchester. She enjoys her work atthe library because she loves booksand believes the library serves “theneed for a focal point in the town.”

Dakin also enjoys spending timewith her family and her husband,Robert. — CL

Daniel Da PonteRhode Island senator

The state’s youngestsenator

Daniel Da Ponte is not living thelife of an ordinary 22-year-old. At theage of 20, while still attending theUniversity of Rhode Island, this son of

Portuguese immi-grants was swornin as Rhode Is-land’s youngestsenator. Aftergraduating thispast May with a

major in business management, hehas turned his full attention to mak-ing life better for people in RhodeIsland.

Da Ponte, a Democrat, ran on a

consumer rights platform. He hassponsored bills that require banksto disclose service fees and is thevice chair of a commission studyingthe need to reform the cable-televi-sion industry in Rhode Island.

He believes that health care is themajor issue facing Rhode Island inthe future. “Last year, two major in-surance companies pulled out ofour state, and we have since beenfaced with new challenges as we tryto provide affordable health care toeveryone,” he said.

Da Ponte is currently working onissues such as the growing gap be-tween the rich and the poor andeducation financing. Da Ponte looksforward to a career in the Senate andpotentially as a statewide electedofficial in the future. — SOL

John W. FonfaraConnecticut senator

Improving education

In his 14 years as a legislator, Sen.John Fonfara has focused most ofhis legislative efforts on his districtof Hartford, Conn., one of the poorest

cities in America.In a career thathas spanned 10years as a mem-ber of the Houseand four yearsin the Senate,

Fonfara, a Democrat, has had animpact. He initiated a $9 millionloan program for commercial andresidential loans for south Hartfordto improve living conditions there.

In addition to his work for Hart-ford, Fonfara has served as the chair-man of the Banks Committee andchairman of the Energy and Tech-nology Committee, where he oversawlegislation that reformed Connec-ticut’s telecommunications industry.

Fonfara also has worked to im-prove education in Connecticut. Hehas sponsored legislation to makepreschool available to underprivi-leged children and is working toestablish a dual language curricu-lum in English and Spanish for the

“I walkedaway from itfeeling a lot

more selfconfidentabout my

ability to dowhat needed

to be doneas a leader.”— Alaska Lt. Gov.Fran Ulmer, Class

of 1991


Robert KiefferMember national assembly,Québec, Canada

Policy expert

Robert Kieffer taught political sci-ence for 22 years before he waselected as a member of the QuébecParliament for Groulx in 1994 and was

re-elected in1998. Before that,he served as sec-retary and thenpresident of theParti Québécoisexecutive commit-

tee for Groulx in 1994. Kieffer in-structed others in policy-making atLionel Groulx College, but now hemakes policy.

Among his other responsibilities,Kieffer, 54, is parliamentary assistantto Québec’s deputy prime minister andminister of state for the economy andfinance. He is active in the EasternRegional Conference of The Councilof State Governments and served asdeputy chair of the Québec section ofCSG. Kieffer said that state and provin-cial representatives are closer topeople than federal representativesand believes that they deserve morefunds to solve the concerns of thepeople.

Kieffer earned a master’s degree inpolitical science, international rela-tions, from the University of Québecin 1972. During his 20s and 30s hedid a lot of union work and developeda keen interest in helping people gainthe fundamental means to survive insociety. The part he loves most abouthis job is that he serves people.

In his leisure time, Kieffer is fondof music, jogging and traveling aroundthe world. He also enjoys gardeningand cooking. — LX

Glenda HammLakeCourt administrator,Territorial Court of theVirgin Islands

Courting change

One of a manager’s toughest re-sponsibilities is asking seasonedemployees to change the way theydo their job. The task is especially

hard if the man-ager is half theemployee’s age.Glenda HammLake, 28, facesthis challenge asthe court admin-

istrator of the Territorial Court of theVirgin Islands.

“You don’t want to dismiss theirexperience, but, at the same time,you need to move forward and adoptnew practices,” Lake said. Sincebecoming court administrator lastNovember, she has initiated manychanges, including automating courtoperations.

Lake appreciates the opportunityher job provides to affect lives bothinside and outside the court system.Of the 270 employees she super-vises, Lake said, “Their well-beinghas to be at the forefront when Imake daily decisions.”

Lake says that her time in the ju-dicial branch has given her a goodperspective on the community’sneeds. She eventually plans to seekpublic office as a legislator so shecan pass laws geared toward im-proving the islands’ economy. “I’mcompelled to pursue initiatives toturn around the territory’s financialsituation,” Lake said.

She enjoys spending time withher husband, George Michael. Lake,a voracious reader, also volunteersas a mentor to students at the highschool and university she attended.She received her bachelor’s degreein social science from the Universityof the Virgin Islands and her lawdegree from Emory University. — CL

Richard T. MooreMassachusetts senator

Inspired to serve

When Dick Moore was in highschool in the 1960s, he actively parti-cipated in student government and de-bates. The 1960 presidential campaign,

won by homestate Democraticnominee John F.Kennedy, trulysparked thisDemocratic statesenator’s interest

in politics.Moore’s political career began in

1969 when he was elected select-man in his hometown of Hopedale,Mass., a post he held eight years. In1977, he won election as state rep-resentative. After 17 years in theHouse, in 1996 he won the Senateseat that he holds today. Among hismany committee appointments, heserves as Senate chairman of theJoint Committee on Health Care.

Moore, 56, said his true passioninside and outside of his legislativeduties lies in a commitment to theenvironment. Moore was instrumen-tal in the creation and implementa-tion of a commission that preservesand protects the Blackstone River thatstretches from Worchester, Mass., toProvidence, R.I. The BlackstoneRiver Valley National Heritage Cor-ridor Commission provides assis-tance to protect historic resourcesand the environment in the twostates. Moore helped defeat a pro-posed landfill, which cleared theway for the establishment of a newstate park in the area.

Moore said one of the toughestchallenges today is to improve civ-ics education in schools so studentsunderstand the importance of hav-ing power flow from the federal gov-ernment to the state level. “Peopleneed to understand more about de-mocracy, the importance of the po-litical process and the need to knowmore how local and state govern-ment levels have the most direct im-pact on citizens,” Moore said.

state. He believes that improving theeducation system and the quality oflife are the two biggest issues facingConnecticut.

Outside of his role in the stateSenate, Fonfara works as a consult-ant for an outdoor advertising firm.— SOL

“We shouldstrive toutilize all ofthe nation’sexperienceand all of theknowledgeandjudgment ofour expertsin the field ofgovernment.”— Henry Toll


As he was inspired by Kennedy’sentrance into politics, Moore alsosees the need to help more youngpeople identify with our country’sgovernmental system. – AS

Carol MurphyNew Jersey assemblywoman

Consensus builder

New Jersey AssemblywomanCarol Murphy began her successfulpolitical career as a local townshipcommittee person in 1980. Since

entering the As-sembly in 1993,she has taken onseveral leader-ship duties andenjoys the chal-lenges associated

with advancing the state’s techno-logical capabilities.

As chair of the Assembly Tele-communications and Utilities Com-mittee, the Republican legislator isleading the charge for New Jerseyto become a leader in innovativetechnology. In this role, she will ad-dress various issues, including thoserelated to cable and public televi-sion, the Internet, telecommunica-tions and energy utilities.

Murphy values her consensus-building skills as an asset to pursu-ing policy initiatives. For instance,she facilitated collaboration amongvarious parties to help create thestate’s electricity restructuring leg-islation. New Jersey Sen. RobertMartin describes Murphy as “a fairleader, a person who can examinean issue and accept the challengeof bringing the involved parties tothe table to reach a viable solution.”

Murphy feels strongly that plan-ning for an increase in the numberof elderly residents is a top priorityand is heavily involved with elderlycare issues. She chaired the NewJersey Advisory Council on ElderCare and hopes to help oversee thecreation and implementation oflong-term care insurance programsin the state.

Murphy and her husband, Leon-ard, have three grown children andtwo grandchildren. They have lived

in Morris County, N.J., for more than30 years. – MLM

Linda Reneé BakerSecretary, Illinois Departmentof Human Services

Excellence in service

With her appointment as secre-tary of the Illinois Department ofHuman Services earlier this year,Linda Reneé Baker became the first

female to headthe state’s largestagency with 20,000employees andan annual budgetof $4.5 billion.The agency deliv-

ers services aimed at assisting in-dividuals and families to becomeself-sufficient. The agency takes aone-stop, coordinated intake ap-proach to enable people to seeksolutions to their needs.

In her 15-year career in Illinoisgovernment, Baker, 36, has provento be an effective public administra-tor with extensive experience in hu-man services, legislative affairs, andbusiness and job development.

Issues that challenge Baker themost include service delivery to thementally ill, education and trainingfor individuals who are making thetransition from welfare to work, andways to encourage more involve-ment from the private sector in pro-viding child care.

“We need business, labor, edu-cators, community providers andparents to engage in collaborativeproblem solving. I anticipate guid-

ing and facilitating that process,” shesaid.

Baker has received numerouscivic awards and citations for excel-lence in government service and forher volunteer effort on behalf of un-derprivileged youth. In her sparetime, she serves on several commu-nity boards. — CH

Susan CrosbyIndiana representative

Mental health advocate

During her 10 years in the Indi-ana Legislature, Rep. Susan Crosbyhas been an outspoken advocate forhealth care reform. It reflects her

intense desire toimprove the qual-ity of people’slives that origi-nally motivatedher to seek pub-lic office. While

serving as executive director ofIndiana’s Associated Patient Servicesin the 1980s, Crosby experiencedfirst-hand the impact of public-policy initiatives on the delivery ofhealth services.

Crosby has been recognized forher efforts over the past decade togive all residents of Indiana accessto treatment for mental illness. TheMental Health Association of Indi-ana, Inc. has awarded her its Legis-lator of the Year Award six times. Shealso has been recognized as the Leg-islator of the Year by the National

“The TollFellows

Program hasshown us

that themagic of

leadership isstill there.”— Connecticut

Sen. ToniNathaniel Harp,

Class of 1998


Mental Health Association and theNational Alliance for the Mentally Ill.To many, Crosby has become knownas the mental health legislator in theStatehouse in Indianapolis andnationally.

In addition, Crosby played a lead-ership role in the creation of theOffice of Women’s Health and theadoption of patient-protectionlegislation.

Crosby, a Democrat, rose to hercurrent position as deputy speakerpro tem after displaying her leader-ship capabilities as the assistant mi-nority whip and the president of thewomen’s caucus. She also serves asvice chair of the House Rules andLegislative Procedures Committeeand is a member of three other com-mittees: Commerce and EconomicDevelopment, Elections and Appor-tionment and Public Health.

Crosby, 54, and her husband Joe,a fourth-generation family farmer,own and operate a grain farm inPutnam County. During her freetime, Crosby enjoys a variety of out-door activities including hiking, bi-cycling and playing golf. — CM

Gregory B. GardnerKansas adjutant general anddirector of emergencymanagement

Dual roles

Serving is used as the commondenominator when Major GeneralGregory B. Gardner describes hisgreatest personal and professional

satisfaction. Hismost recent mis-sion is to servetwo roles, as bothKansas Gov. BillGraves’ adjutantgeneral and the

director of the Kansas Division ofEmergency Management. Thesepositions allow him to serve bothstate and nation, through his lead-ership of 8,500 citizen soldiers andairmen in the National Guard andstate employees.

Gardner’s management skills

have proven effective in improvingstate government. To improve stateresponse time to emergencies, hecreated a Scout program, in whichNational Guard members act ascommunication links with localcommunities and assess damageearly in a disaster. Such innovationin management comes from morethan 20 years of military experiencewith the Air National Guard.

The 46-year-old general sees theimprovement of National Guard fa-cilities as his most important mis-sion. “What confident, professionalimage do dilapidated buildings en-gender?” Gardner asked. He wantsto lead a legislative effort to fix theNational Guard armories that havereceived little attention since theiroriginal construction in the 1950s.

While his spare time is limited,he participates in several commu-nity organizations and activities in-cluding the Salvation Army and theSpecial Olympics. Also, he has par-ticipated as a runner for RaceAgainst Hunger, as well as helpedstart math and science programs for“at-risk” youth. – CH

Suzanne JeskewitzWisconsin representative

Seasoned policy-maker

Even before her first term as astate legislator, Suzanne Jeskewitzhad served on enough local boardsin her home of Menomonee Falls,

Wis., to be consid-ered a seasonedpolicy-maker.

Jeskewitz be-gan her life inpolitics early,serving on stu-

dent councils as a child and thenexpanding her community involve-ment as an adult. The 58-year-oldRepublican is a former member ofboth the Waukesha County Boardand the Menomonee Falls PlanningCommission. Her government ser-vice has been complemented bywork for various civic organizations,including the local YMCA board of

managers, the local Chamber ofCommerce and the MenomoneeFalls PTA Council.

Jeskewitz has received numerousawards for her community activism,and she also picked up a politicalphilosophy that she brought toMadison as a state legislator.

“I really believe in local controlof government,” she said. “Thecloser you get to the people, themore you should know what’s go-ing on and what needs to be done.”

The former schoolteacher hasbecome a leader in several policyareas since she was first elected tothe Wisconsin Assembly in 1996.She has been a leader in overseeingthe state’s Wisconsin Works (W-2)program and also serves as chair ofthe Financial Institutions Committee.

As much as she likes public ser-vice, though, Jeskewitz most enjoysspending time with her family. Sheand her husband, Jim, have a son, adaughter and a 2-year-old grandson.— TA

Kim KoppelmanNorth Dakota representative

Community leader

A commitment to community ser-vice and a strong sense of historyled North Dakota Rep. Kim Koppel-man to the state Capitol.

K o p p e l m a nspent four yearsas a city councilmember in Riv-erside, N.D., asmall town ofabout 500, until

city leaders agreed to merge River-side with West Fargo. Having longbeen active in numerous communitygroups, as well as church and schoolactivities, he quickly assimilatedhimself into his new communitystructure. And in 1994, the votersof his West Fargo district elected himto the Legislature.

Since then, the 47-year-old Re-publican has established himself asa competent leader and colleaguesdescribe him as tenacious and ef-

“When weare huntingfor a path inthe forest,we onlyhave todiscover theway once.”— Henry Toll


fective. These qualities paid off forKoppelman in his first session whenhe sponsored what has come to beviewed as “landmark” legislationthat revised the state’s system of ad-ministrative rules review — allow-ing the Administrative Rule ReviewCommittee to either void a rule orcompromise with an agency when arule is deemed inconsistent with theintent of law.

“I was struck by the fact thatmuch of what governed the every-day lives of businesses and peoplewere the rules and regulations writ-ten by people in the bureaucracy —who oftentimes were unelected, un-accountable and out of touch,”Koppelman said. “I find that there’sa much healthier relationship nowand a mutual respect that ought tobe there in the balance of power.”

He has distinguished himself inother areas as well, receiving the leg-islative award from the North DakotaAssociation of State’s Attorneys forhis work during his freshman ses-sion on the Judiciary Committee —a panel he now vice chairs. Koppel-man is the founder and owner ofKoppelman and Associates, an ad-vertising, marketing and public re-lations agency. He and his wife,Torey, have three children — Ben,20, Becky, 18, and Paul, 15. In ad-dition to his numerous communityactivities, Koppelman enjoys theoutdoors in his spare time, espe-cially camping and golfing. — LT

Christopher M.“Monty” LobbOhio assistant secretary ofstate and chief of staff

Living his dreams

Since childhood, Monty Lobb hasdreamed of winning election to the

U.S. Congress. So,when he was of-fered the oppor-tunity as a collegestudent to clerkfor Ohio U.S. Rep.Bill Gradison in

Washington, D.C., he jumped on it.Lobb graduated with a law degreefrom the University of Dayton Schoolof Law in 1988.

After spending several years inthe nation’s capital, Lobb knew hebelonged in state government andwent to work for Ohio TreasurerKenneth Blackwell in Columbus.

Lobb describes his first post asmanager of research, projects andconstituent services as the beginningof a beautiful work relationship. Thepost’s many responsibilities in-cluded overseeing a disaster recov-ery plan for the treasury and elec-tronic fund transfers for child-sup-port payments. Later, he was pro-moted to deputy general counsel.When Republican Blackwell waselected Ohio secretary of state in1999, Lobb took his present posi-tion as Blackwell’s assistant secre-tary of state and chief of staff.

Lobb enjoys most of all the op-portunity to help people. He alsofinds it satisfying to work with otherstate agencies to solve problems.

“It has been my aspiration formore than 15 years to eventually be-come a state representative or sena-tor in Ohio,” Lobb said. “Althoughthis still remains a real possibility,my work with Ken Blackwell inOhio’s Treasury and Secretary ofState offices has informed my opin-ion that in an executive role, I mightbe able to have an even broaderinfluence.”

Lobb, 38, has put some of thosedreams on hold because he is mak-ing new ones. He loves what he isdoing and continues striving for ex-cellence. He enjoys music, readingand sports. — AS

Lisa MadiganIllinois senator

Legislative legacy

Lisa Madigan didn’t see manycombines as a child growing up inChicago, but after she was elected tothe Illinois Senate, the Democrat fig-ured it was time to learn more aboutthe life of a downstate farmer.

She turned to a Republican col-league for assistance. Madigan hop-ped on Senate Assistant MajorityLeader John Maitland Jr.’s combine

and farmed withhim for a day.

“It was a greatexperience forme,” Madigansaid. “The realityis that we repre-

sent the whole state. It’s importantto understand the needs of all ourconstituents. Somebody who comesfrom a different area or a differentdistrict likely grew up with a differ-ent set of ideas.”

While she is a relatively new leg-islator, Madigan has had plenty ofexperiences with the Illinois GeneralAssembly. Her father, Michael, is Il-linois speaker of the House and hasbeen a state representative since1971.

“From the age of 10 until I was17, they were in session until the endof June,” she said. “So I would getout of school and spend a month inSpringfield.”

Madigan serves as Democraticspokesperson for the Senate Educa-tion Committee and is a member ofthe Appropriations Committee. Asco-chair of the Conference ofWomen Legislators, she led that bi-partisan group’s successful efforts topass a state earned income tax creditduring the 2000 session.

An attorney, Madigan has a longtrack record of community service,from her leadership role in severalChicago civic organizations to herstint as a volunteer high-schoolteacher in South Africa. — TA

Thomas G.McCarthyMinnesota district judge

Not a techie

Thomas G. McCarthy has madequite a mark since he was appointedto the bench in Minnesota’s FirstJudicial District in 1988. KathleenA. Blatz, chief justice of the Supreme

“Toll Fellowswas the best

of all theprograms I’ve

everattended. I

liked theinteractive

setting,where there

was achance to

exploreideas, talk

withcolleagues

and developleadership

approachesto problems.”

— Maine SenatePresident Mark

Lawrence, Class of1997


Court of Minne-sota, describesMcCarthy as “oneof the judiciary’smost innovativeand effective lead-ers.”

McCarthy spearheaded efforts inhis district that now serve as modelsfor the entire state, including the in-troduction of technology to linkcounty courthouses to the state courtsystem. His interest in the use oftechnology began because he said,“I can’t read my own writing.”

Although he says that he is not atechie, he now directs Minnesota’s$30-million effort to replace its courtsystem’s computers, and he plays aninstrumental role in supporting thestate’s $100-million criminal justiceinformation-integration project.

McCarthy’s activeness extendsbeyond the courts. In 1993, heshared his daughter and son-in-law’shoneymoon bicycle tour by riding abike with them 427 miles acrossIowa, a journey he plans to repeatin 2010. He loves to read and spendtime with “the world’s two most per-fect grandsons.” His greatest satis-faction comes, he said, from “hav-ing a positive impact on the lives ofreal people.” He describes himselfas a “collaborative leader.”

McCarthy, 50, and his wife, Patty,have three children. They live inWinthrop, Minn. — BH

Nancy P.ThompsonNebraska senator

From teaching to doing

When Nancy Thompson’s parentstook her to hear the candidates speakduring the 1960 presidential campaign,little did they know they were set-

ting the stage fortheir daughter’sfuture politicalcareer. Inspired bywhat she heard,Thompson be-came politically

active in high school and remainedso after college when she became ateacher. Eventually Thompson leftacademia to work as a congres-sional staffer. After stints as a countycommissioner and the deputy chiefof staff for former Nebraska Gov.Ben Nelson, she was appointed tofill an open seat in the UnicameralLegislature.

Having been elected a senator in1998, Thompson draws upon herpast work experiences in her pres-ent role as a lawmaker. She’s identi-fied the best sources of informationand feels her background helps herto ask the right questions. This isimportant to a policy-maker whopoints to being organized and detail-oriented as key to her legislativesuccesses. Thompson says hergreatest fulfillment comes from in-volving stakeholders in the processof resolving tough problems.

In the Legislature, she has fo-cused much of her attention on ju-venile justice, chairing a state taskforce that studied the topic. She alsohas been concerned with the chal-lenges of teacher recruitment andretention. “It’s nice to have a reallyeasy issue, but I don’t mind takingon the thorny ones,” Thompsonsaid. When she seeks some downtime, she likes to entertain, read andplay golf. The mother to four childrenin their 20s, Thompson, 52, recentlycelebrated her 30th wedding anni-versary with husband, Jim. — JMK

Shari WeberKansas representative

Delivering leadership

Rep. Shari Weber is certainly notafraid to jump in and help out whenproblems arise. Even before she wonpublic office, Weber participated in

public service inevery communityin which she’slived.

While living ina small commu-nity in Minnesota,

she and her husband became emer-gency medical technicians and wentdoor-to-door to solicit donations topurchase an ambulance when theylearned that the closest ambulancewas 25 miles away. Later, when herfamily relocated to Kansas, she or-ganized a Christmas tour of homesin her community to benefit disad-vantaged children. She also servedas the downtown development di-rector in her hometown of Hering-ton, Kan. “More than anything,” shesaid, “that [position] renewed myfaith that government should be ef-ficient and effective.”

Elected in 1994, she is currentlyserving her third two-year term inthe Kansas House of Representatives.During the 1999-2000 legislativesession, her Republican colleagueselected her to the position of assis-tant majority leader and the strongleadership skills that she has exhib-ited in her community are evidentin her work. Speaker Robin Jenni-son said, “People look to [Rep.Weber] for leadership and shedelivers.”

Weber, 47, and her husband,Marvin, have been married for 28years and are parents of three grownchildren, J.D., Josh and Joy. To-gether, they own a tire business,where Weber can be found when notbusy with legislative work. – AM

“A legislaturecannot enactthoroughlyscientific orsatisfactorymeasuresunless it hasavailableaccurateinformationconcerningboth theproblems tobe met andthe besttechnique formeetingthem.”— Henry Toll


as an aviation officer. Brown thinksthat there is no room for failurewhen a problem is approached inthe right way. Professionally, he isproud of a new direction the PrinceGeorge’s Community College under-took while he served as chairmanof its Board of Trustees.

Brown, 38, relaxes with homelandscaping projects with his wife.He also spends as much time as pos-sible with his five-year-old daughter,because he says, “Taking her to thezoo or museums allows me to re-live my own childhood.” — MNM

Anthony G. BrownMaryland delegate

Multitalented

A Harvard-educated lawyer, statelegislator and helicopter Army pilotare all ways to describe Anthony G.Brown. Originally from New York, he

moved to Mary-land in 1992 aftergraduating fromHarvard. Whilehe quickly got in-volved in com-munity activities,

it wasn’t until 1994 that he becameinvolved in state politics by runningstate Sen. Ulysses Currie’s politicalcampaign. Then in 1998, Brown waselected to the House. From 1994 to1999, he also was an associate at-torney for a Washington, D.C., lawfirm, but now devotes more time tohis legislative duties.

The freshman Democrat hasmade a big impression on Houseleaders in a short time. SpeakerCasper R. Taylor Jr. said of him, “An-thony is destined to be among thenext generation of leaders in Mary-land. He is a spirited legislator whohas demonstrated his willingness tochampion issues based on his un-derstanding of what is right, ratherthan on what is perceived to bepopular.”

Brown successfully sponsored abill that improves Maryland’s Em-powerment Zone Program. He alsohelped shape two important billsregarding health-insurance cover-age. His long list of accomplish-ments includes his attainment of therank of major as judge advocate inthe U.S. Army Reserves and captain

Marsha CampbellMissouri representative

Vast experience

Having worked in state and localgovernment in a variety ways, Rep.Marsha Campbell brings vast ex-perience to the table. Campbell’s ex-

perience includescampaign manag-ing, local govern-ment administra-tion and lobbying.

A major ac-complishment for

Campbell, 54, was shifting gears andrunning for elected office so faralong into her professional career.She definitely has the ability to suc-cessfully transition into new roles.

Campbell, a Democrat, realizesthat in state legislatures “most thingsdon’t pass the first time,” but sheenjoys the legislative challenges. “Ifyou take things personally in theLegislature, you won’t be very success-ful,” Campbell said. “A bill’s failuresimply forces you to re-look at the is-sue and come up with a compromise.”

For Campbell, working in theLegislature in Missouri is about theopportunity and challenge of creat-ing the most efficient term-limitedgovernment for her constituents.She is helping to iron out the bestprocess for the benefit of individu-als. “When you look at what goeson at the political level, communityis the overriding factor for us,”Campbell said. In her view, it is allabout the people. Campbell’s hob-bies include golf and reading. — JC

Harold LloydCriswellArkansas chief deputytreasurer

Making things happen

“Do better today what I did theday before,” is what Harold LloydCriswell says is his driving force. TheArkansas chief deputy treasurer is

not satisfied if heis not continuallystriving for im-provement.

Criswell cred-its his collegeprofessor of pub-

lic administration and his mentor,Charles Dunn, with sparking his in-terest in politics and providing himwith direction. Dunn’s course madeCriswell realize that, behind all ofthe wonderful things we see, do andenjoy, there are a large number ofpeople behind the scenes making ithappen.

As an active public servant in Ar-kansas, Criswell is proud to have de-signed and implemented the TreasuryAccounting and Investment System.This replaced the previous anti-quated system, which was operatedoff the state’s older mainframe com-puter. The new system allows stateagencies to obtain real-time infor-mation on funding, crucial to theiroperations.

Parents of three daughters, Cris-well and his wife stay busy and en-joy water activities at their favoritelake. Criswell said that, in the future,

“The TollFellowshipProgram islight years

ahead ofother

professionaldevelopmentprograms for

stateleaders.”

— Texas Sen. JeffWentworth, Class

of 1998


he may pursue a different role onthe state or possibly the nationallevel. — MB

Eckles notes that Tennessee’s bondrating immediately fell from AAA toAA.

What’s on the horizon? Re-election, in which Eckles thinks taxrestructuring may haunt her. Nextsession, she would like to tackle thetaming of the Medicaid waiver,which is part of the TennCare sys-tem that insures 500,000 peoplewho are uninsurable due to pre-ex-isting conditions.

On the personal front, Eckleswants to spend more time with hermother. She also wants to travel withher sons. — KM

Mary Ann EcklesTennessee representative

Helping the helpless

Rep. Mary Ann Eckles has tack-led such complex state issues as re-structuring the state’s health care,welfare and tax systems. In legis-

lative debates,she comes downsquarely on theside of children,the elderly anddisabled whohave little or no

voice in the political process. Ecklessays that experience as a teacher, arealtor, the wife of a physician andthe mother of two sons has taughther how to “be the oil in the pro-cess” of bringing factions together.

Elected to the Tennessee Housein 1994, Eckles, a Democrat, servedon a subcommittee charged withoverhauling the state’s welfare sys-tem. She helped create FamiliesFirst, a program to assist singlemothers as they move out of thewelfare system.

During her second term, Eckleschaired the Mental Health Subcom-mittee. During a 15-month processinvolving more than 300 people, thesubcommittee rewrote the state’smental health and mental retarda-tion laws to establish care for thedisabled in their communities, giv-ing families more input. Gov. DonSundquist, who first opposed herappointment to the subcommittee,declared by the end of the process,“In a fight I want Mary Ann Eckleson my side.”

Eckles’ toughest position was onlast session’s Finance Ways andMeans Committee. The committeeconsidered restructuring the state’stax structure, which is dependent onsales-tax revenue. The Legislaturecould not agree on a restructuringplan and adjourned with no action.

Lisa GladdenMaryland delegate

Public advocate

Although Delegate Lisa Gladdennever aspired to the Legislature, sheagreed to run for office as a favor toher local political club in Baltimore,

Md. She creditsthe hard work bya few supporterswith helping herwin her first elec-tion in 1998.

Gladden, anassistant public defender since1993, has served the public in thejudicial system for most of her pro-fessional career, and sees the Legis-lature as an opportunity to helppeople. “I like doing things forpeople and getting things done,”Gladden said.

She relishes being able to helpindividual constituents. “[People]need somebody to hold their hand,direct them in the right direction andsometimes supply the muscle need-ed to get things done, and I’m gladto help,” Gladden said.

Her experience in the Legislaturehas taught Gladden to “live life tothe fullest” and understand that “youcan’t always move mountains orchange the world in a single term.”A little patience and a lot of hardwork go a long way for Gladden, aDemocrat. She worked to develop

and support model legislation tocombat racial profiling that failed topass during this year’s session, butshe is optimistic about the bill’schances next year.

Gladden, 35, is an avid bowlerand enjoys spending leisure timewith her mother and her dog. — JC

James KennethGuin Jr.Alabama representative

Inspired by WeeklyReader

When he was in first grade, Rep.Ken Guin became aware of the 1968presidential campaign. The picturesof Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey

and George Wal-lace on the coverof the WeeklyReader sparkedGuin’s interest inpolitics. Guin said,“I liked Hubert

Humphrey’s smile and I’ve been aDemocrat ever since!”

After graduating in 1987 fromCumberland School of Law, SamfordUniversity, Birmingham, Guin prac-ticed law in Birmingham, but return-ed to his hometown of Carbon Hill,Ala. in 1991. Following his longtimeinterest in politics, Guin successfullyran for the Legislature in 1994.

In office, Guin has most enjoyedorganizing and establishing the roleof the Democratic caucus as a lead-ership tool for the implementationof policy changes. Guin drafted suc-cessful legislation to assist Alabama’sworking and single-parent familiesin obtaining quality, affordable childcare.

Guin sees his toughest challengeas chairing the Constitution andElections Committee, which ischarged with rewriting Alabama’sConstitution over the next severalyears. Many have tried and failed toupdate the state Constitution in pre-vious attempts over the last 25 years.

Guin, majority leader, plans to re-main as long as he can be effective,

“In manyrespects theconduct ofeveryintelligentcitizen isbased uponthe ideaswhich heacquiresfrom hisneighbors.”— Henry Toll


although he would like to run for astatewide constitutional office someday.

Guin, 38, and his wife, Tanya,have two young children. — MB

Linda McGeeNorth Carolina judge

Small-town roots

As Judge Linda McGee has movedup the legal ladder, she has kept hersmall-town roots. A few times everyweek, she drives the 175 miles from

her home in Hick-ory, N.C., to theNorth CarolinaCourt of Appealsin Raleigh.

McGee firstpracticed in a

private law firm in Boone, N.C., for17 years. Then, in 1995, she was ap-pointed to the Court of Appeals byGov. Jim Hunt and was elected foran eight-year term in the followingyear. McGee hopes to be re-electedin 2004, but her aspirations don’tend there. She feels it would be anhonor to become a chief judge orserve on the state’s Supreme Court.

As a state official, McGee sees hermost challenging issue as guidingthe future of the court system. Tomaintain the legal system as a posi-tive force in the country, she seesmediation as a promising alterna-tive to resolving disputes. McGeealso feels strongly that courts shouldbe available to everyone, includinglow-income persons. In 1992, shereceived the North Carolina BarAssociation’s Pro Bono Award forproviding legal services to the poor.The award recognized her establish-ment of the Blue Ridge DisputeSettlement Center and a local shel-ter home for abused people andtheir children.

McGee also yearns to improve thepublic’s understanding of the U.S.justice system, beginning with thecountry’s youth. She is involved inmultiple education efforts, includ-ing “Lawyers in the Schools,” aNorth Carolina Bar Association pro-

gram that places lawyers in publicschools to teach about the legalsystem.

McGee takes time out of her busyschedule to enjoy traveling, camp-ing and hiking with her husband,Gary, and their two sons, Scott andJeffrey. – MLM

Steve RobinsonTexas youth commissionexecutive director

Rancher

Steve Robinson, executive direc-tor of the Texas Youth Commission,credits juvenile justice professionalswho have mentored him through the

years for helpinghim along theway. He began atthe commission in1975 as an entry-level hearing ex-aminer, taking on

various capacities until the mid-1980s. After leaving the commissionfor a few years, he returned in 1993as the executive director.

Since then, he has led a reorga-nization of the agency. He is mostproud of helping to “take a very good,very effective and efficient agency,and make a transformation into whatthe public demanded and what theLegislature directed, which is to be amore corrections-oriented agency.”

Robinson said that he has fallenshort of his own expectations attimes. In these situations, however,he has learned that “it’s not alwaysgoing to happen the way you want itto, and perseverance pays off.”

Robinson said what motivateshim is seeing other people develop.“I enjoy seeing people, staff andyouth, be successful,” Robinson said.

Robinson, 48, is a rancher whoworks with cattle and horses in hisspare time. — JC

John R. Unger IIWest Virginia senator

Rhodes scholar

Freshman Sen. John R. Unger IItook to heart some words that hereceived from Mother Teresa in Cal-cutta years ago. She told the young

volunteer, “John,God doesn’t callus to do greatthings. He callsus to do smallthings with greatlove.”

Unger spent much of his collegedays doing volunteer work, whichincluded working with MotherTeresa in Calcutta, a stint as a mis-sionary in Hong Kong and helpingKurdish refugees in Northern Iraqfollowing the Gulf War. In the states,he found time for helping disabledyouth, the unemployed, hurricanerelief in Florida and the homeless,among many other causes.

Unger won both Truman andRhodes scholarships, in addition tobeing named to USA Today’s All-USACollege First Academic Team in1992. He graduated from West Vir-ginia University with a bachelor’sdegree in liberal arts.

His political career began whenhis grandfather promised him hisfirst campaign contribution to runfor the state Senate in 1998. Theencouragement and help of friends,supporters and elected officials pro-pelled the Democrat into the Senateat the young age of 29 after defeat-ing the incumbent candidate.

Unger sees health and adult lit-eracy as two important issues for hisstate so that all its residents canparticipate in society to their fullestability. Continued economic devel-opment and the creation of betterjobs in the state also are goals thathe hopes to achieve through hiswork as an economic developmentconsultant in the Martinsburg, W.V.,area today.

Unger, 31, hopes to remain asenator for many years to come andwould like to serve one day as chair-man of finance or education. — MT

“It was acareer-

changingevent for me.It helped me

to fend offstaleness in

thinking.”— Nevada

AssemblymanDavid Humke,Class of 1993


Susan WestromKentucky representative

Effective legislator

Rep. Susan Westrom was in-spired to enter public life by herpersonal difficulty in collecting childsupport across national borders. Al-

though she wasunsuccessful ingetting supportfor her two chil-dren, Westromlearned so muchthat she decided

to help others navigate the system.She began working with communitygroups, the courts and human ser-vice agencies to help other familiesrecover child support and accessneeded services.

In 1994, while working on hermaster’s degree in Social Work atthe University of Kentucky, Westrombegan working as a registered lob-byist on children’s issues. Fromthere, her involvement in politicswas a natural progression. In No-vember 1998, three years after fin-ishing her graduate degree,Westrom, a Democrat, was electedto represent a formerly Republicandistrict in Lexington, Ky.

Using her knowledge and skillsgained working as a lobbyist, West-rom proved effective as a freshmanlegislator, getting 10 bills passed thisyear. Westrom co-chaired the Housesubcommittee on seniors, orga-nized a Task Force on Seniors in theWorkplace and successfully spon-sored a bill requiring certification ofassisted-living facilities. Westromalso was active on issues such asprescription drugs for seniors, earlychildhood development and juve-nile justice. When the Legislature isnot in session, Westrom stays in tunewith issues affecting children andfamilies in her position as directorof advocacy and marketing withBuckhorn Children’s Home.

Having been a single mother anda nontraditional college student(she began college at the age of 35),Westrom knows what it is like to

have to feed a family on a limitedincome, to take a child to day careand to shop for groceries afterworking a long day. “As a woman, Iwanted to make sure that my state

government was truly a representa-tive government, that someone likeme was there who knew about theserealities,” Westrom said. — TM

Pamela L.AbernethyOregon circuit court judge

Avid actress

Pamela L. Abernethy, a circuitcourt judge in Salem, Ore., has spenther entire legal career in the serviceof state government, first as an attor-

ney and now as ajudge. She wasfirst appointed tothe bench as adistrict courtjudge in 1993and to the Circuit

Court in 1995.Abernethy chairs the committee

on the Future of the Courts in Ore-gon. In that role, she has been instru-mental in fostering better publicunderstanding of the importantwork of Oregon’s judicial branch.Reflecting her keen interest in judi-cial education, she has helped de-velop and implement a career-longcurriculum for judges. Abernethy isa strong proponent of improving theinteraction among the three branchesof government and in using collabo-rative methods, including mediationto address community challenges.“Litigation can destroy relationshipscompletely. Mediation can not onlysolve the problem, but promotes theunderlying relationship,” she said.

Away from the bench, Abernethyis an avid actress, having performedin numerous plays. She described

her greatest role as that of AnnieSullivan in “The Miracle Worker.”“That play is corny,” she said, “andI love corny.” She also serves a men-tor for law students at the WillametteCollege of Law.

Abernethy, 48, lives in Salem,Ore., with her partner, Chris Fletcher,and their two terriers. — BH

Ethan BerkowitzAlaska representative

Northern exposure

Alaska House Minority LeaderEthan Berkowitz seems to have anaffinity for cold climates. A San Fran-cisco native, he graduated from Har-

vard University in1983 with honorsin government andeconomics. Aftergraduation, hehad several stintsas an Antarctic

enforcement officer, ensuring thatscientists and tourists followed trea-ties and rules that protect the frag-ile environment there.

Upon receiving his law degreefrom Hastings College of Law backhome in San Francisco, Berkowitzmoved to Anchorage in 1990 andbegan practicing law.

“Living in Alaska is unique all byitself,” the 38-year-old Democratsaid. “There is just so much geo-graphic and cultural diversity.”

In 1997, he attended a political

“A claim ofstates’ rightsmust now bejustified by ademonstrationof states’competence.”— Henry Toll


gathering and discovered no Demo-cratic candidate had come forwardfor his district’s seat. With an elec-tion around the corner, he decidedto run for the Statehouse and won.

Three years later, at the close ofhis third session, Berkowitz hashelped strengthen child-protectionlaws, improve Alaska’s business cli-mate and negotiate a bipartisan planfor Alaska’s budget shortfall.

“I’m much more pragmatic thanpartisan,” he said.

Berkowitz joined former Gov.Walter J. Hickel as a director of theInstitute of the North, which helpscountries meet the demands of com-mon ownership of resources, landsand seas.

As a representative, Berkowitzsays he enjoys “being in the centerof the maelstrom.”

His political career has had otherbenefits. While knocking on doorscampaigning, Berkowitz met MaraKimmel and they recently wed. In hisspare time, he reads, plays hockeyand fishes. – DJP

Kim J. BouckChief of staff for Utahlieutenant governor

Dream job

Necessity has been a catalyst forKim J. Bouck throughout her career.Her philosophy is best described bywords attributed to St. Francis of

Assisi — “Startby doing what’snecessary; thendo what’s possi-ble; and suddenlyyou are doing theimpossible.”

While at Logan High School,Bouck learned about state govern-ment during a visit to the office ofSen. Lyle Hillyard at the Statehousein Salt Lake City. After graduatingfrom Utah State University, in 1996she worked as his legislative assis-tant. In 1997, Bouck employed herlegislative experience by working asa professional lobbyist for suchagencies as the American Cancer

Society and the Utah Health Insur-ance Association. She decided, how-ever, that she preferred to be in the“inner” rather than the “outer” leg-islative circle and in 1998 becamechief of staff for Utah Lt. Gov. OleneWalker. She calls it a dream job be-cause of the interaction with a di-verse group of people, multiple tasksand fascinating issues.

Bouck believes that the greatestcontribution public officials canmake is to improve upon the workof their predecessors. “Instead of re-inventing the wheel, I rather preferto incorporate the knowledge andexperience of my colleagues whilecontinually adding technology, newresources and fresh ideas,” she said.

Never having held an elected po-sition, she may consider running foroffice in the future.

She relaxes by playing the piano— a wedding present from her hus-band, Daryll. — MNM

Jim BuckWashington representative

Does his homework

Size seems to define the natureof the Washington House’s 24thdistrict’s struggle with natural re-sources issues. Twice the size of

Delaware, thedistrict is a focalpoint for spotted-owl and salmon-recovery efforts.The state also has27 Indian tribes

that are covered by seven differenttreaties. This puts state officials inthe position of trying to retain therights of both the state and its prop-erty owners and deal with the ple-nary power of Congress over theEndangered Species Act and triballands. As co-chair of the House Natu-ral Resources Committee, Rep. JimBuck plays a central part in theseissues. A resident of Joyce on theOlympic Peninsula, Buck also rep-resents the critical 24th district.

A three-term legislator, Buck

does not delegate such difficult is-sues to staff for research and billwriting. “With good intentionscomes the responsibility to acquirea sufficient knowledge-base to makegood decisions,” he said. “I try todo my own homework, which in-cludes spending a great deal of timestudying state law.”

Buck crafted a plan to restore sal-mon that was unanimously adoptedby the Legislature as the 1998Salmon Recovery Act. A civil engineerby trade, he designed the plan in themode of a well-run construction pro-ject. The strategy spreads the recov-ery over a 30-year period that will,hopefully, avoid some of the conten-tiousness the district experiencedwith the spotted-owl controversy.

Buck plans to run for re-electionand, if successful, will continue tofine-tune the salmon-recovery planand address tribal issues.

A 1971 graduate of the U.S. Mili-tary Academy at West Point, Buck liveswith his wife, Donna. They have twodaughters, Wendy and Betsy. — KM

Colleen HanabusaHawaii senator

Problem solver

Since her election in 1998,Hawaii Sen. Colleen Hanabusa hasoffered effective leadership and rep-resentation for her constituents in

the Waianae dis-trict from whereshe was raisedand lives.

Senate Minor-ity Leader Whit-ney Anderson, a

20-year veteran, said of the fresh-man Democrat, “She’s got a qualityabout her — that she knows whatshe wants to accomplish and thatshe can lead.”

Hanabusa, who received her J.D.degree in 1977 from the William S.Richardson School of Law, Hono-lulu, focuses on labor law in a grouppractice. An inherent flair for solv-ing problems shows up in her relax-ation time, during which she enjoys

“The TollProgram

gave me away to

approachpeople and

solveproblemsthat I use

absolutelyeveryday in

theLegislature.”

— NebraskaSpeaker Doug

Kristensen, Classof 1991


doing mind-teaser puzzles and read-ing murder mysteries.

Hanabusa, 49, grew up being as-sertive and creative — traits fromthe time she used to play samuraiwith the local boys, to the presentas she, among other things, chairsthe Water, Land and Hawaiian AffairsCommittee. As lobbyist Linda Rose-hill notes, “She’s not going to sitback, watch and follow.” — DP

Mark HillmanColorado senator

A true balancing act

Ask Mark Hillman about thegreatest challenge he faces and he’llsay it’s not on the floor of the Colo-rado Senate, nor in the wheat fields

of his Burlington,Colo., farm, butbalancing thetime spent on thetwo. Hillman be-came interestedin politics in

childhood when he helped his fa-ther campaign for county commis-sioner. The “bug” of politics stuckand Hillman, a Republican, contin-ued to be involved in politics andcampaigns at the local, state and fed-eral levels until his bid for the stateSenate in 1998.

Hillman strays from the tradi-tional “brand-name” politics, astypified by his election to the Sen-ate. As a “nobody,” few thought hehad a chance. Although he wasoutspent 2-to-1 and not endorsed bymajor names, Hillman won by a slimmargin of 66 votes. “None of myopponents ever considered that theymight lose. What they didn’t counton was one’s willingness to workhard and the willingness of votersto work for and elect a candidatewho represented their beliefs.”

As a legislator, Hillman is greatlyconcerned about education in Colo-rado. He said, “The circumstancesin small rural schools may be quitedifferent than those in urban dis-tricts. It is vital that reforms beimplemented in a manner that meets

the demands of rural and urbanstudents.”

Hillman, 32, is pragmatic aboutthe future and plans to stay involvedin state government past Colorado’sstrict term limits. “If the right op-portunity comes along, I would cer-tainly be interested in pursuing it.However, I could also be quite sat-isfied by nonelected opportunities toinfluence government. The opportu-nity to affect public policy and genu-inely make a difference is a tremen-dous motivator.” – JM

John Jay LeeNevada assemblyman

Red tape cutter

In his second term in the NevadaAssembly, John Jay Lee brings yearsof volunteer and business experi-ence to the job. Lee, 45, has served

on county and citycommittees andadvisory boards.He participates onlocal planning,water, parking andtraffic and busi-

ness committees. Born in Middlesex,England, Lee is a plumbing contrac-tor and tile and marble contractor.

The part about lawmaking thatLee loves most is “the satisfactionof feeling I’ve been of help in deal-ing with quality of life issues, in as-sisting constituents with frustratingproblems of red tape.” He also be-lieves “addressing potential issuesbefore they become large problemsis key. Prevention is better thancure.”

Lee plans to gain more knowledge,experience and leadership withinthe Democratic caucus and Legisla-ture. Lee has served on the Govern-ment Affairs; Infrastructure, NuclearWaste Transportation, Taxation; andNatural Resources committees.

Lee and his wife, Marilyn, of 26years have seven children and twograndchildren. He enjoys reading,mountain biking, outdoor recreationand spending time with his family.— DJP

Joseph StegnerIdaho senator

Involvement is key

Joseph Stegner long has beenactive and interested in public af-fairs. Whether discussing them at thefamily dinner table while growing

up in Lewistown,Idaho, or makingstate policy onthe floor of theIdaho Senate inBoise, Stegner hasfound public af-

fairs to be stimulating, fun, challeng-ing and, at times, frustrating.

“It’s a lot of work, serving thepublic interest,” Stegner said, “butmy service in the Senate has been awonderful experience.”

Having succeeded in the privatesector as an agri-businessman whoowned and operated a grain andseed company, Stegner ran for thestate Senate in 1998. “The publicsector is a better use of my time. It’sone thing to discuss public policy,it’s quite another to jump in andmake a difference. People that areinvolved have the say.”

Stegner said his wife, Deborah,and four adult children also had toadjust to his participation in publiclife. “My family, while supportive ofmy public role, still see it as kind ofstrange. It takes a little getting usedto on all fronts.”

Stegner enjoys making musicwith several local community bandsin Lewistown. “We may not be verygood,” said trumpeter Stegner, “butwe have a great time sounding bad!”— JM

Emily SwansonMontana representative

Adventure lover

Rep. Emily Swanson developedher interest in politics while grow-ing up in Bozeman, where hermother was in politics.

She was elected to the MontanaHouse of Representatives in 1992.

“The firstessential ofgoodgovernmentis to havehonest,capableofficials andemployees.”— Henry Toll


Before that sheexhibited herleadership skillsas president ofthe local Busi-ness and Profes-sional Women’s

Club chapter of Bozeman.She became House Democratic

minority leader in 1999. As a legis-lator representing Bozeman, she isinterested in tax policies, especiallyinvolving property taxes. Diversity ofopinion is what she loves most abouther legislative job. Of politics shesaid, “We are all in the same boat.”

Swanson’s hobbies include horse-back riding, golf, canoeing, hiking,motorcycling, hunting and snow ski-ing. Her philosophy is that life is abig adventure and one needs to beopen-minded to all the adventures.A friend once invited her to join hercampaign for governor and theyrode on horseback all the way

Charlene GonzalesZettelCalifornia assemblywoman

Barrier breaker

In 1998, Assemblywoman Char-lene Zettel was elected the first Re-publican Latina woman to serve inthe state Assembly. In 1999, she was

appointed as theRepublican Cau-cus chair in theAssembly, a testi-mony to her dili-gence in solvingpolicy issues and

providing quality leadership.Zettel sees the challenge for pub-

lic officials as ensuring that all

people have the opportunity to re-alize their full potential — througheducation, health care and publicsafety. She is playing a key role inmeeting this challenge, having hadfive bills signed into law in 1999 andthis year. Among the new laws areones for before- and after-schoolcare for young children and moreprotections for crime victims, espe-cially the elderly and disabled.

She brings a wealth of experiencein education, health care and businessto the Assembly. Zettel served twoterms on the Poway Unified SchoolDistrict Board of Education. She is apracticing dental hygienist of morethan 20 years. In addition, for the past20 years, she has owned and managedmore than 300 rental units.

For the future, Zettel wants to fur-ther study water policy, transportationsystems and business incentives todevelop alternative fuel sources. —DP

through Montana. Swanson, whosetwo children are grown, is enthusi-astic and outgoing both in her ca-reer and in her life. — LX

“The TollFellowshipexperiencereaffirmed

my reasonsfor entering

publicservice. If youreally want to

make adifference

you can’t justput one toe

in the water.You mustimmerse

your wholebeing.”

— Indiana Rep.Mike Murphy,Class of 1996

(left to right) Front Row: Sen. Tim Murphy, Pa.; Cate Zeuske, secretary of revenue, Wis.; Sen. DiAnna Schimek, Neb.; Angie Varella, secretary of families, P.R.;Sen. Rosalind Kurita, Tenn.; Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist, Calif.; Dawn Amundsen, assistant secretary of state, Okla.; Sen. Anne Rand, Maine; Teresa Beck, directorof legislative services, Miss. Second Row: Rep. Bill Peterson, S.D.; Rep. Amber Boykins, Mo.; Rep. Deb Cherry, Mich.; Rep. Greg Jolivette, Ohio; Sen. Brooks McCabe,W.Va.; Lauren Robinson-Brown, assistant secretary of state, N.J. Third Row: Rep. Eric Hamakawa, Hawaii; Bob High, deputy treasurer, N.C.; Sen. EileenQutub, Ore.; Sen. Tim Shaughnessy, Ky.; Rep. Clara Sue Price, N.D.; Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, N.Y.; Stuart Little, legislative fiscal analyst, Kan.; Rep.Paul Scherrman, Iowa. Fourth Row: Sen. Tom Coderre, R.I.; Rep. Tony Ross, Wyo.; Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, Kan.; Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, Nev.; MarcRyan, secretary of policy and management, Conn.; Lt. Gov. Jane Swift, Mass.; Bill Montgomery, director of legislative council, Del.; Sen. Stan Rosenberg,Mass.; Sen. Bart Davis, Idaho. Fifth Row: Rep. Rob Wilkey, Ky.; Sen. Maurice Washington, Nev.; Sen. Ron Teck, Colo.; Ruben King-Shaw Jr., executive director,Agency for Health Care Administration, Fla.; Sen. Don Betzold, Minn.; Sen. Richard Mitchell, Fla. Not pictured: Sen. Richard Alarcon, Calif.


Clare Nolan is senior writer for stateline.org.Clare Nolan is senior writer for stateline.org.

States combat child povertyBY CLARE NOLAN

oncerted anti-poverty efforts by some states haveblended with an unprecedented economic tailwindto lead to the first marked improvements in the livesof poor children in two decades, a new state-by-

state analysis of child poverty has found.After skyrocketing in the 1980s, the per-

centage of children living below poverty fellin all but 15 states in the five years between1993 and 1998, the National Center forChildren in Poverty reports in a study re-leased Aug. 10. The NCCP is an anti-poverty research group based at ColumbiaUniversity.

While the 1990s have been good for thenation’s children, the NCCP study finds, thecurrent economic boom has yet to allowpoor families in most states to recover allthe ground lost since 1979. The incidenceof child poverty in the nation as a wholeremains high. Nearly 19 percent of Ameri-cans under age 18 — just under one in five— is poor.

The NCCP study tracks changes in child poverty from1979, when rates began a 15-year climb, to 1998, the lat-est year for which data are available. The findings exposestark contrasts among states that disparities in size andwealth cannot explain.

In particular, New Jersey, Illinois, Arkansas and SouthDakota all managed to reduce child poverty in the 1980seven as the rates in other states were skyrocketing, saidJulian Palmer, spokesperson for the NCCP.

“States can make a difference in this,” Palmer said. “It’snot just a question of states being dragged along by thenational economy. There are real differences.”

New Jersey, for example, has seen its incidence of childpoverty fall from 18.9 percent in 1979 to 12 percent in1998. In contrast, New York’s rate climbed from 18.9 per-cent in 1979 to 24.2 percent in 1998. Only Arizona, WestVirginia, New Mexico and Louisiana have higher childpoverty rates than New York.

While Palmer says the economy alone does not explain

C the improvements some states have experienced, exactreasons for the discrepancies remain elusive.

New Jersey’s positive results are likely due to a “conver-gence of factors,” including state policies followed consis-

tently over the course of several differentadministrations, said Ciro Scalera, directorof the Association of Children of NewJersey.

“We are consistently one of the topspending states on aid to education,”Scalera said, noting that the more degreesparents have the less likely their childrenare to grow up poor.

Scalera also cites New Jersey’s “fairlyconsistent” approach to welfare reformsince 1987 — an approach he says that hassuccessfully moved many parents into jobs.

Those and other factors have combinedwith a diversified economy that hasbounced back well after the recessions ofthe early 1980s and 1990s, Scalera said.

In the 15 years between 1979 and 1993,millions of American children became poor, as the povertyrate grew from 16.2 percent to a historic peak of 22.5 per-cent. Despite improvements in many states since 1993,17, clustered mostly in the South and West, still have childpoverty rates above 20 percent.

Fifteen states have seen child poverty continue to climbduring the current boom. North Dakota’s child povertyrate has exploded since 1993, from 13.5 percent to 20.6percent. Georgia has seen poverty among those under 18climb 29.4 percent. Oregon’s rate has shot up 25 percent.

The other states bucking the national trend are: Ala-bama, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Montana,Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, Arizona and NewMexico.

The national poverty level today is $17,050 for a fami-ly of four and $14,150 for a family of three.

For more information, contact the NCCP, (212) 304-7100, and on the Web at http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/nccp/.

The percentageof children

living in povertyhas fallen in35 states inthe 1990s.

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