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LOUISIANA TO HOST 34TH ANNUAL NCSL LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT FOCUSED ON NEW ORLEANS
RECOVERY
Over 6,200 state legislators, legislative staff, government policy officials and business leaders will gather in New Orleans next week for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) 34th Annual Legislative Summit, pumping at least $10 - $12 million directly into the state's economy. From July 22nd through July 25th, the nation's attention will be focused on the New Orleans area storm recovery efforts and the importance of Louisiana's energy coast and its wetlands to the rest of the country. "This is a great opportunity to showcase the new Louisiana and to give key decision makers from across the nation and around the globe a first-hand look at our storm-recovery efforts and the importance of continued support of those efforts," Senate President Joel Chaisson said. "It is also a much-needed boost to the area's tourism economy." The annual summit brings together top decision makers, policy officials and legislative staff for intense discussions on a wide range of issues from health care reform and education to transportation and energy policy. During the 150 different scheduled policy sessions, they will also examine ways in which the states can work with the federal government to avoid costly and burdensome unfunded federal mandates. This annual meeting will also offer special sessions dealing with Louisiana's energy coast and how the impact of the loss of Louisiana's wetlands affects citizens across the nation. In cooperation with America's WETLAND: Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana, a special tour of the coastal wetlands is planned for legislators from other states to get a first hand look at the problem. "With gas topping $4 a gallon, it is more important than ever before to do our best to make sure the nation understands what Louisiana's energy coast contributes to our country's economy and security," House Speaker Jim Tucker said. "Our efforts to conserve and restore coastal Louisiana is not just a Louisiana priority, it must be a national priority. This annual summit in New Orleans provides us with a captive audience to hone in on that message." NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state and federal issues. NCSL plans its annual legislative summits years in advance. Louisiana was chosen to host the summit back in 2001, prior to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. After the storms, NCSL and Louisiana agreed to a continued commitment to stage the 2008 summit in New Orleans in an effort to promote continued national support for Louisiana's recovery. |
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