Newt Gingrich, Former Calif. House Speaker Scheduled for Panel Discussion Tuesday; Tension Builds Between State, Federal Govts?

10/19/2003

From: Bill Wyatt of NCSL, 202-624-8667

News Advisory:

As the tension between states and the federal government continues to rise on key issues like the No Child Left Behind Act, e-commerce issues and health care, two former insider lawmakers will discuss what's in store for the future of state-federal relations at a special luncheon on Tuesday.

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and Robert Hertzberg, former speaker of the California House of Representatives, will hold an open discussion on Tuesday hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures and sponsored by Fleishman-Hillard. The session will be hosted by noted journalist Ed Fouhy, currently executive director of the Pew Center on the States.

The session will take place in the Columbia Room of the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. Lunch will be served at noon and the discussion is expected to begin around 1 p.m.

Gingrich and Hertzberg will offer their opinions on the the changing relationship between the states and the federal government. They will discuss the fiscal implications, delivery of government services and the opportunities for change.

Key state legislative leaders will be in the audience, including Minnesota Senator John Hottinger, Maryland Delegate John Hurson, Kansas Seantor Dave Kerr, Connecticut Speaker Moira Lyons, Oklahoma Senator Angela Monson and Vermont Speaker Walter Freed.

Journalists interested in attending the lunch and discussion should make reservations by calling Bill Wyatt at 202-624-8667.

The National Conference of State Legislatures is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories.

NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.