CSI's Wednesday Briefing Series
In response to requests from state policy directors, we have developed a series of phone/webinar briefings to cover a range of policy areas. These briefings will bring policy experts and policymakers together for informal discussion on both best practices and emerging issues that impact the states. All of the upcoming briefings will be on Wednesdays at 4pm Eastern Time (excluding the election and holiday weeks).
In order to provide the experts with the option of presenting slides, we have made each briefing webinar-ready. If a presenter chooses to show a PowerPoint presentation, a link to register for the webinar will be posted after the description of the briefing.
Phone/Webinar Briefing This Week
Past Briefings
WORK FAMILY BALANCE BRIEFING - JANUARY 14 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, January 14 at 4PM EST, Rachna Choudhry (Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for the National Partnership for Women & Families), Karen Minatelli (Director of Work & Family Programs for the National Partnership for Women & Families), and John De Graaf (Executive Director of Take Back Your Time) will discuss work and family legislation, including paid sick days, family leave and vacation. In addition, Janetta King (Policy Director Office of Governor Strickland) and Karen Minatelli will share insights from paid sick leave campaigns in Ohio and Washington D.C.
Presenter Bios:
Bios for presenters on Work Family Balance
PowerPoint Presentations:
Rachna Choudhry and Karen Minatelli's Presentation
John De Graaf's Presentation
Background Materials:
Right2Vacation Poll Results
RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS BRIEFING - JANUARY 7 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, January 7, Dean Baker (Co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research) and Gary Burris (Senior Policy Associate at the Economic Opportunity Institute), and José Cisneros (Treasurer for the city and county of San Francisco) will discuss retirement and savings reforms, such as Universal Voluntary Accounts to promote retirement savings and banking standards to ensure that banking opportunities are safe, affordable, and fair for low-income workers.
Presenter Bios:
Bios for Presenters on Retirement and Savings
PowerPoint Presentations:
Dean Baker's Presentation
Gary Burris' Presentation
José Cisneros' Presentation
Background Materials:
Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings: Banking on Wealth: America's New Retail Banking Infrastructure and Its Wealth-Building Potential.
Pew Charitable Trusts: Banking On Opportunity: Helping families convert their wages into economic mobility by improving their ability to effectively use financial services
Economic Opportunity Institute: Washington Voluntary Accounts Update March 2008
Model Legislation: California Financial Advantage Accounts Legislation
CalPERS: California Employee Savings Program Analysis
INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING BRIEFING - DECEMBER 17 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, December 17, Michael Likosky (Visiting Scholar, Institute for Public Knowledge, New York University), John Adler (Private Equity Director, SEIU), and state practitioners will discuss best practices in state infrastructure financing, as well as how states can leverage infrastructure financing to promote responsible labor standards.
Play Webinar Now:
Watch Presentation by John Adler (Director, SEIU Capital Stewardship Program)
Listen to Audio Presentation by Michael Likosky (Visiting Scholar, NYU's Institute for Public Knowledge)
Presenter Bios:
Bios for Presenters on Instrastructure Finance
PowerPoint Presentations:
John Adler's Presentation
ENERGY EFFICIENCY BRIEFING - DECEMBER 10 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, December 10, Steve Nadel (Executive Director, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy), Robin Snyder (Program Director, Building Codes Assistance Program), and practitioners from states that have implemented energy efficiency standards will discuss state energy efficiency measures, including implementing a strong energy efficiency resource standard and green building codes that will save the state money in the long-run. In addition, Carol Kulek (Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for Energy Efficiency Portfolio Programs)will provide insights on the implementation of EERS in Illinois.
Play Webinar Now:
Watch Presentation by Steve Nadel (Executive Director, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy)
Listen to Audio Presentation by Carol Kulek (Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for Energy Efficiency Portfolio Programs in Illinois)
Listen to Audio Presentation by Energy Efficiency Resource Standards Q&A Session
Watch Presentation by Robin Snyder (Program Director, Building Codes Assistance Program)
Powerpoint Presentations:
Steve Nadel (Executive Director, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy)
State Energy Efficiency Resource Standards
Robin Snyder (Program Director, Building Codes Assistance Program)
Green Thru Building Codes
Presenter Bios:
Bios for Presenters on energy efficiency
POVERTY REDUCTION BRIEFING – DECEMBER 3 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, December 3, Mark Greenberg (Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress), Jodie Levin-Epstein (Deputy Director, Center for Law and Social Policy), and Amy Rynell (Director, Heartland Alliance Mid-America Institute on Poverty) will discuss steps that state executives can take to combat the rise of poverty in their states. Practical, cost-effective solutions will be highlighted.
Play Webinar Now:
Watch Presentation by Jodie Levin-Epstein (Center for Law and Social Policy) and Mark Greenberg (Center for American Progress)
Watch Presentation by Amy Rynell (Heartland Alliance Mid-America Institute on Poverty)
Powerpoint Presentations:
Jodie Levin-Epstein (Deputy Director, Center for Law and Social Policy) and Mark Greenberg (Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress):
Why Tackle Poverty? - Poverty Reduction Strategies
Presenter Bios:
Bios for Presenters on Poverty Reduction Briefing
Additional Materials:
Growth in poverty:
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Recession Could Cause Large Increases in Poverty and Push Millions into Deep Poverty
Unemployment Insurance:
Center for American Progress Action Fund, Half in Ten and National Employment Law Project: Helping the Jobless Helps Us All: The Central Role of Unemployment Insurance in American’s Economic Recovery
Marice Emsellem, Andrew Stettner and Omar Semidey: The New Congress Proposes $7 Billion in Incentive Payments for States to Modernize the Unemployment Insurance Program
National Employment Law Project
SNAP/Food Stamp:
California Association of Food Banks: http://www.myfoodstamps.org/aboutsite.html
Food Research Action Center: Food Stamp Participation Gaps in Coverage
Food Research Action Center: Food Stamp Participation: Bolstering Food Stamp Program’s Counter-cyclical Impact Critical in Coming Months
EITC Resource:
National Community Tax Coalition
Brookings: EITC-Eligible Taxpayers: Economic and Demographic Characteristics
TANF Coverage and Subsidized jobs
Center for Law and Social Policy: Transitional Jobs: Helping TANF Recipients with Barriers to Employment Success in the Labor Market
Center for Law and Social Policy and National Transitional Jobs Network:Increasing Opportunities: Creating and Expanding Transitional Jobs Programs for TANF Recipients under the Deficit Reduction Act
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Center for Law and Social Policy: Implementing the TANF Changes in the Deficit Reduction Act: “Win-Win” Solutions for Families and States
Community Jobs Program, Washington State
GoodWorks! Georgia Department of Labor
Transitional Work Corporation, Philadelphia
Transitional Jobs Network
Protections from Foreclosure and Pay Day Loans
Center for Housing Policy and National Housing Conference
Center for American Progress: Growing the Middle Class Anti-Payday Lending State Legislative Strategies
Center for Law and Social Policy Deputy Director and Senior Policy Analyst Jodie Levin-Epstein: Strategies to Help Struggling Homeowners and Address Predatory Lending
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION BRIEFING – NOVEMBER 19 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, November 19, Scott Bernstein (President, Center for Neighborhood Technology) and Rob Puentes (Fellow, Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program) discussed how states can prepare to deal with a new administration on transportation issues and for the possible reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU).
Powerpoint Presentations:
Scott Bernstein (Center for Neighborhood Technology): State Transportation Policy in an Urban-Metro World: A Guide for the Perplexed
Rob Puentes (Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program): A New 21st Century Vision for Transportation Policy
Presenter Bios:
Bios for Presenters on Federal Transportation Briefing
BUILDING RETROFIT FOLLOW-UP Q&A - NOVEMBER 13 @ 1PM EASTERN
On Thursday, November 13th, Joel Rogers (Director, Center for State Innovation), Michael Jesanis (Principal, Serrafix Energy Consulting Group), and Scott Bernstein (President, Center for Neighborhood Technology) answered follow-up questions from attendees to the Building Retrofit Briefing held on Wednesday, October 22. Additional materials have been posted below in response to some of these questions.
Play Webinar Now:
Listen to Audio from Building Retrofit Follow-up Q&A Session
Resource People Bios:
Short Bios for Resource People on Building Retrofit Briefing
Additional Materials:
Efficiency Vermont Report: Enabling Investments in Energy Efficiency - August 2008
HOUSING CRISIS BRIEFING - NOVEMBER 12 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, November 12, Dean Baker (Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research), Lisa Donner (Executive Director, "Half In Ten" anti-poverty campaign), and Andrew Jackabovics (Associate Director, Center for American Progress' Economic Mobility Program) discussed how states can respond to the housing credit crunch and the best use of federal "bail-out" funds for state citizens and the economy. Topics included "Right-to-Rent" and state foreclosure prevention policies.
Powerpoint Presentations:
Dean Baker (Center for Economic and Policy Research): The Right to Rent: The Solution to the Foreclosure Crisis
Lisa Donner (Half In Ten): Philadelphia's Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program
Andrew Jackabovics (Center for American Progress): State Responses to the Housing Crisis
Presenter Bios:
Bios for Presenters on Housing Crisis Briefing
Additional Materials:
North Carolina's Emergency Foreclosure Reduction Program: NC Session Law 2008-226
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE BRIEFING - OCTOBER 29 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, October 29, Eric Schnurer (President, Public Works), Scott Quehl (President, Quehl Consulting Firm) and Matthew Gallagher (Deputy Chief of Staff, Governor O’Malley) discussed policies that save states money and enhance performance by increasing efficiency. This call included a discussion of state performance reviews, innovative municipal budgeting, and a briefing on CityStat/StateStat by one of the individuals involved in its first implementation in Baltimore and its current expansion to the entire state of Maryland.
Play Webinar Now:
Watch Presentation by Eric Schnurer (Public Works)
Watch Presentation by Scott Quehl (Parnassus Advisors)
Watch Presentation by Matthew Gallagher (Maryland Governor's Office)
PowerPoint Presentations:
Eric Schnurer (Public Works): Performance Reviews to Achieve Savings & Efficiency Gains
Scott Quehl (Parnassus Advisors): State Engagement in Overcoming Local Government Financial Distress
Matthew Gallagher (Maryland Governor's Office): StateStat Maryland
Presenter Bios:
Bios for Presenters on Government Performance Briefing
BUILDING RETROFIT BRIEFING - OCTOBER 22 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, October 22nd, Joel Rogers (Director, Center for State Innovation) discussed innovative green building retrofit programs that allow municipalities and states to improve the efficiency of current building stock in ways that require no upfront investment from building owners and occupants but include them in the benefits. Paul Mitchell (Policy Director for Economic and Workforce Development, State of Indiana), Eric Sundquist (Senior Associate, Center on Wisconsin Strategy) and Michael Jesanis (Principal, Serrafix Energy Consulting Group) were also on the call as resource people and commentators. This call included discussion of a pilot program in Milwaukee, WI and how these programs have the potential to create thousands of good, local jobs.
Play Webinar Now:
Listen to Audio from Building Retrofit Q&A Session
PowerPoint Presentation:
Joel Rogers (Center for State Innovation): Retrofitting Your State
Presenter/Resource People Bios:
Short Bios for Presenters/Resource People on Building Retrofit Briefing
HEALTH CARE BRIEFING - OCTOBER 15 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Wednesday, October 15, Melanie Bella (Senior Vice President, Center for Health Care Strategies), Susan Sherry (Deputy Director, Community Catalyst), and Larry Heyeck (Deputy Director, New Mexico Medical Assistance Program) discussed how states can manage dual eligibles to reign in health care costs. The population of Medicaid recipients also eligible for Medicare makes up only 14 percent of state caseloads, but 40 percent state expenditures. The call focused on how to more efficiently manage care for these dually eligible recipients in a way that both increases the quality of care and reduces state expenditures.
Play Webinar Now:
Listen to Audio from the Healthcare Q&A Session
Watch Presentation by Melanie Bella (Center for Health Care Strategies)
Watch Presentation by Susan Sherry (Community Catalyst)
Watch Presentation by Larry Heyeck (NM Medical Assistance Program)
PowerPoint Presentations:
Melanie Bella (Center for Health Care Strategies): Integrating Care for Dual Eligibles - Part 1
Susan Sherry (Community Catalyst): Integrating Care for Dual Eligibles - Part 2
Larry Heyeck (NM Medical Assistance Program): Coordination of Long-Term Services
Presenter Bios:
Short Bios for Presenters on Health Care Briefing
DEMOCRACY BRIEFING - OCTOBER 10 @ 4PM EASTERN
On Friday, October 10, Jonah Goldman (Voting Rights Project Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law), Stuart Comstock-Gay (Democracy Program Director, Demos), Rob Richie (Executive Director, Fair Vote) and David Segal (Senior Analyst, Fair Vote) discussed state issues around voter access and the 2008 election. This call focused on ways that state executives can act to ensure that voter registration goes smoothly, high turnouts are appropriately managed, and eligible voters are not barred from voting.
Play Webinar Now:
Listen to Audio from the Democracy Q&A Session
Listen to Audio from Pesentation by Jonah Goldman (Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law)
Watch Presentation by Stuart Comstock-Gay (Demos)
Watch Presentation by Rob Ritchie (FairVote)
PowerPoint Presentations:
Stuart Comstock-Gay (Demos): Protecting Votes on Election Day 2008: Key Considerations
Rob Richie (FairVote): Getting Ready for Election Day - Or Not.
Presenter Bios:
Short Bios for Presenters on Democracy Briefing