The Michigan House and Senate are considered full-time legislative bodies, operating on a similar schedule as the state’s K-12 schools. Many folks in and around Lansing are quick to opine that just because they aren’t sitting in their seats casting record roll call votes at the State Capitol this summer, they are still working – negotiating on road funding, hosting local coffee hours, handing out awards, visiting constituents on the doorstep, touring businesses and non-profits, and presenting at state association meetings.

Legislators also spend time during the summer attending conferences with colleagues from other states to discuss state policy trends. Several of the national groups that host legislators are diving deep into policy areas that could very well trend in Michigan over the next few years. I find these organizations extremely helpful in that they are working to educate a crop of legislators that otherwise would just have to learn on the fly in Michigan’s term-limited environment. Additionally, it helps our term-limited members network with policymakers from other states that work on similar issues and face the same policy challenges and objectives.

Here’s a snapshot of just a few groups that will be drawing the attendance of Michigan Legislators over the next few weeks.

(FYI, some of the below information was taken directly from hosts’ websites.)

Council of State Government (CSG)

CSG was founded in 1933 and serves all three branches of state government. They host a regional based forum that provides regional, national, and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.

CSG Midwest will be hosting their forum in Chicago, IL and the meeting will include regional legislators representing 11 Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces.

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)

NCSL, established in 1975, provides state policymakers tools, information and resources to craft the best solutions to difficult problems. NCSL has two specific core programs that they focus much of their attention on; the Center for Ethics in Government, and the Women’s Legislative Network.

They are hosting their annual Legislative Summit in Nashville, TN. On the agenda are discussions on energy supply, cybersecurity, disaster mitigation, state and local taxation and tech/social media/e-learning.

American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)

The American Legislative Exchange Council was established as a forum for stakeholders to exchange ideas and state-based solutions. They are a conservative policy group “dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism.” ALEC priorities focus on policy areas such as tax reform, agriculture, energy, health, human services and state budgets.

They are holding their Annual Meeting in Austin, TX.

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