UPN, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 318: Invitation til arbejdsfrokost med amerikansk delegation af lovgivere

Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2016-17, Udenrigsudvalget 2016-17
UPN Alm.del Bilag 318, URU Alm.del Bilag 282
Offentligt

2017 NCSL Officer Study Tour

Participant Biographies

The Honorable Dan Blue

NCSL President

Senate Democratic Leader

North Carolina Legislature

A lifelong North Carolinian, Senator Daniel T. Blue, Jr. grew up in his parent's four-

room farmhouse in Robeson County, where he learned that the values of hard work,

faith and education were the keys to a successful future. After working hard in North Carolina public schools

(he was valedictorian of his high school class in Robeson County), he attended North Carolina Central

University, where he earned a degree in mathematics. He graduated in 1973 from the Duke University School

of Law.

First elected to the North Carolina House of Representative in 1980, Blue has spent his entire career in public

life. He has consistently been rated one of the most effective members of the General Assembly. As a

member of the House of Representatives, Senator Blue was re-elected 11 times. In 1991, he was elected

Speaker of the House. As Speaker, he was responsible for the passage of an unprecedented series of workplace

safety initiatives, and for many innovative programs to improve public schools and reform the criminal justice

system. In 2002 he left the Legislature to run for the United States Senate. He returned to the House in 2006,

and now serves in the North Carolina Senate.

In addition to serving as Speaker of the House, Blue has served as chairman of the Judiciary and

Appropriations committees. Blue served as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures for the

1998-1999 conference year and has served on the executive committee of the Southern Legislative

Conference. Blue was appointed by the NCSL Executive Committee to fill the vacancy of NCSL Immediate

Past President and to serve as the president of the NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures in May of 2016.

Blue is a founding partner of Blue, Stephens & Fellers, a law firm in Raleigh. Blue holds nine honorary degrees

and currently serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees at Duke University.

The Honorable Deb Peters

NCSL President-Elect

Senate Assistant Majority Leader

South Dakota Legislature

Senator Deb M. Peters was elected to the South Dakota Senate in 2010 after six years

in the state House of Representatives. In November 2014, she was reelected to her third

term in the Senate. With more than 18 years of professional experience in the community as a small business

owner and dedicated public servant, Senator Deb Peters is a champion of creating more accountability and

transparency in government.

UPN, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 318: Invitation til arbejdsfrokost med amerikansk delegation af lovgivere

Recognized as one of the top 40 political rising stars under 40 years old by the Washington Post, Peters serves

as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is also a member on the Government Operations and

Audit Committee. Peters is also the President of the Streamline Sales Tax Governing Board, an effort to limit

burdens on retailers and streamline legal definitions of sales taxes between states.

Peters is no stranger to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) having been involved since her

time in the House. During her tenure, she has been a national leader in ensuring the state role in the federalist

system. Specifically, she has been outspoken in her support of urging congress to pass efairness legislation,

known as the Remote Transactions Parity Act in the House and the Marketplace Fairness Act in the Senate,

which would level the playing field between main street retailers and remote sellers. Peters has also been

especially active in the Executive Committee's Task Force on State and Local Taxation; the Budgets and

Revenue Committee; and the Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committees.

Before being elected as NCSL Vice President in August of 2015, Senator Peters concluded a two year term as

co-chair of the NCSL Standing Committees.

Peters holds a degree in accounting and business administration with a major in Accounting from the

University of South Dakota. She is a Certified Public Accountant and owns her own business consulting

company. Peters lives in Hartford, S.D., with her husband Chris and two sons, Derick and Braden. When she

is not serving the people of South Dakota, you can find her spending time with her family.

The Honorable Toi Hutchinson

NCSL Vice President

State Senator

Illinois Legislature

Illinois Senator Toi Hutchinson has earned a reputation as a highly effective and well-

regarded public servant with a strong commitment to the residents of the 40th District.

Since joining the Senate in 2009, Hutchinson has placed a high importance on working to modernize

Illinois’ antiquated tax structure, protecting women and children from violence and exploitation

and

supporting construction projects that create jobs while also maintaining Illinois’ position as an international

transportation hub.

As chairwoman of the Senate Revenue Committee, Hutchinson introduced legislation to close corporate tax

loopholes, which would make corporations pay their fair share and help ensure the state doesn’t balance its

budget on the backs of middle-class families. Hutchinson also passed a law increasing the earned income tax

credit as well as the standard tax exemption, allowing working families to keep more of their hard-earned

money.

She has passed many laws that protect women, children, seniors and people with disabilities. Hutchinson

passed a law safeguarding pregnant women in the workplace from discrimination. Hutchinson also teamed

with Attorney General Lisa Madigan to make Illinois the first state in the nation to pass a law mandating the

testing of all rape kits within 10 days of obtaining evidence. Working with the Chicago Alliance Against

Sexual Exploitation, Hutchinson passed a law that allows a victim of sex trafficking to apply for relief from

judgment when the victim has a prostitution conviction. Hutchinson has also worked to strengthen anti-

cyberstalking laws and passed a law to increase the penalty for financially exploiting seniors and people with

disabilities.

UPN, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 318: Invitation til arbejdsfrokost med amerikansk delegation af lovgivere

Hutchinson has been an ardent supporter of transportation development in the 40th District. She passed a

law creating the Southeast Commuter Rail Transit District that will eventually construct a new Metra line

connecting 11 south suburban communities with downtown Chicago. In 2013, she passed the first public-

private financing agreement in Illinois. This growing method of financing public projects is gaining

popularity nationwide as costs to expand and develop transportation infrastructure continue to rise.

As a mother of three children who attended public schools, Hutchinson has placed high importance on

improving public education in Illinois. Concerned about the increasing number of students, especially

African-American boys, who receive severe disciplinary action that keeps them out of the classroom,

Hutchinson passed a law to study the problem and work with school districts to reduce expulsions and

suspensions.

Hutchinson earned a bachelor of English degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a

law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law. Hutchinson lives with her family in Olympia

Fields.

The Honorable Curtis Bramble

NCSL Immediate Past President

Senate President Pro Tempore

Utah Legislature

Curtis S. Bramble was elected to the Utah State Senate in November 2000. Bramble is

in his fourth term in the Utah Senate, where he previously served as Senate majority

leader and currently serves as Senate president pro tempore.

Bramble, a CPA, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Utah

Association of Certified Public Accountants. Bramble was elected as vice president of the National

Conference of State Legislatures in August 2013. He served as co-chair of the NCSL Standing Committees

2012-2013. He is a member of the State and Local Taxation Task Force, a member of the Immigration and

the States Task Force, and the International Affairs Task Force. He has participated in forums addressing

issues like education, transportation, energy, and taxation.

Bramble began his college career at the University of Notre Dame, and earned his bachelor's and masters

degree in accounting from Brigham Young University. Bramble is a fixed wing and hot air balloon pilot and

owns Stars & Stripes Inc., a hot air balloon company, with former Utah House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander.

He and his family live in Provo and are actively involved in motorcycle touring, mountain climbing, scouting,

antique automobiles, skydiving, skiing, backpacking, fishing, hunting, scuba diving, and boating at Lake

Powell. He is married to Susan Mackay of Provo, and they are the parents of six children and four wonderful

granddaughters and three grandsons.

UPN, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 318: Invitation til arbejdsfrokost med amerikansk delegation af lovgivere

The Honorable Sally Jameson

NCSL Standing Committees Co-Chair

State Delegate

Maryland Legislature

Sally Young Jameson has served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2003

representing Charles County, District 28 and she is currently the Chair for the

Southern Maryland Delegation. She has chaired the Maryland Rural Caucus 3

different years, and the Charles County Delegation previously for two terms. Sally

is a member of the Economic Matters Committee, where she serves as Vice Chair

of the Committee. She also chairs the Public Utility Subcommittee on ECM, and is

a member of the Property and Casualty and the Workers’ Compensation Sub-Committees.

Sally served on the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board from 2008 until 2015. She is on the Maryland

Strategic Energy Investment Fund Advisory Board and is a member of the Southern States Energy Board.

Sally participates with the State Agriculture and Rural Leaders (SARL).

Delegate Jameson is a member of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) which represents

over 7300 Legislators nationally. She is the current Co-Chair of its Standing Committees for a two year term

thru 2018. Since 2010 she has chaired their Nuclear Legislative Workgroup, and has been a member of this

group since 2004. In 2010 she served as Chair of NCSL’s Agriculture & Energy Committee and in 2015-

2016 as the Chair of Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee. Sally

also serves on NCSL’s

Executive Committee and on their Foundation Board.

She has testified before the President’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Nuclear Energy, the Nuclear

Regulatory Commission and Congress. She works with the U.S. Department of Energy on environmental

concerns relating to the clean-up of Federal Facilities. Sally currently serves on the American Nuclear

Society’s Special Committee on Nuclear in the States. Delegate Jameson has received numerous awards

related to her work in the Maryland House of Delegates and across the Nation. She has been recognized by

the Solar Industry, the Nuclear Energy Industry, and received several awards for working in the field of

Renewable Energy. She has been recognized nationally for her work on Military issues by the Pentagon.

Sally has been recognized by both the Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Association of

Counties.

Delegate Jameson is a former Executive Director for the Charles County Chamber of Commerce. She

serves on the Tri County Council for Southern Maryland, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Commission,

and the SagePoint Senior Living Services Boards of Trustees. Sally was the first female to chair the Charles

County Board of Zoning Appeals and the Greater Waldorf Jaycees.

She and her husband Gene have been married for forty-seven years. Sally is the mother of two children and

is a grandmother of four. She resides in Bryantown, Maryland.

UPN, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 318: Invitation til arbejdsfrokost med amerikansk delegation af lovgivere

Mr. Raul Burciaga

NCSL Staff Chair

Director, New Mexico Legislative Council Service

New Mexico Legislature

Raúl E. Burciaga worked for 15 years in the administration of federal health care

programs, including Medicare and the Indian Health Service, and also served as a

Medicare consultant for several companies. Opting for a new career, he attended the

University of New Mexico School of Law and, upon graduation, joined the New Mexico Legislative Council

Service (LCS) as a staff attorney in July 2000. From 2000 to 2007, he served as the lead staff attorney for

legislative health committees and as the primary bill drafter of health care legislation, as well as staff attorney

to numerous legislative committees, task forces and work groups. He served as the assistant director for

drafting services from 2004 until 2010, when he became director of the LCS.

As LCS director, Burciaga has primary responsibility for administration of the LCS, the nonpartisan drafting,

legal and research agency of the New Mexico Legislature. Additionally, he is responsible for the control, care,

custody and maintenance of the State Capitol, Capitol North, Capitol Parking Structure and grounds. He is

an ex-officio

member of the state’s Public School Capital Outlay Council, the New Mexico Compilation

Commission and the national Uniform Law Commission.

Burciaga has been active with NCSL since 2001, attending numerous Summits, Forums and issue-specific

meetings, including serving as an at-large member of the Executive Committee, staff chair of the Standing

Committee on Health, overall staff vice chair of the Standing Committees, director of Legal Services Staff

Section and member of the Task Force On Federal Health Reform Implementation. He completed the

NCSL's Legislative Staff Management Institute at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the

University of Minnesota in 2004 and the Council of State Government's Henry Toll Fellowship Program in

Lexington, Ky., in 2012. In 2014, through NCSL, he assisted in the training of parliamentary staff in

Mozambique on new member orientation.

Mr. Chuck Truesdell

Staff Vice Chair

Legislative Fiscal Analyst

Kentucky General Assembly

Chuck Truesdell joined Kentucky's non-partisan Legislative Research Commission in

2003 after a brief award-winning career in journalism. His work in the Public Information

Office focused on speechwriting, opinion pieces, and media relations. In 2011, he joined

the agency's Office of Budget Review as a fiscal analyst focusing on transportation funding

and the state's highway and bridge construction. He is currently responsible for oversight of P-12 school

finance, school construction, and the teachers' retirement system.

Truesdell has been actively involved with NCSL since 2005, when he became involved with the Legislative

Information and Communications Staff Section. He served as LINCS chair in 2010-2011 and has been

honored with the group's Staff Achievement Award. He has served on the Legislative Staff Coordinating

Committee since 2009, including stints as chair of both the Information Technology and Legislative

Institution subcommittees. He was appointed to serve as Overall Staff Co-Chair of the NCSL Standing

UPN, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 318: Invitation til arbejdsfrokost med amerikansk delegation af lovgivere

Committees in 2011-2012, and has served on the NCSL Executive Committee since 2014. He has served on

numerous panels and in a number of speaking roles with NCSL over the last decade.

Truesdell earned a B.A. in Political Science and an M.P.A. in Public Financial Management from the University

of Kentucky. His research on public pension funding has been recognized with the Daniel Reedy Award from

the University of Kentucky and the Robert Kline Award from the Southeastern Conference for Public

Administration. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Alpha Alpha honor societies.

Mr. Jon Heining

NCSL Vice Chair Elect

General Counsel, Texas Legislative Council

Texas Legislature

Jon Heining believes that strong states and strong state legislatures are critical to the

success of our great American experiment in self-government. Accordingly, he serves

the legislature of his state as general counsel to the Texas Legislative Council. As general counsel, Heining

provides legal support to the council for administrative, contractual, and personnel issues. In addition, he

drafts or reviews several categories of legislative documents. Occasionally, he is asked to speak on legal

ethics, Texas legislative process, and the use of social media by government employees. Heining was elected

to the leadership team of the National Conference of State Legislatures in August 2017.

Heining holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Auburn University in Alabama, a master

of laws from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and a juris doctorate from The

University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas.

In his spare time, Heining enjoys scuba diving, preparing and eating smoked meats, and gardening poorly.

Jon lives and plays in Austin, Texas, with his beloved wife, children, and dog.

Ms. Nancy Cyr

NCSL Immediate Past Staff Chair

Director, Legislative Research Office

Nebraska Legislature

Nancy Cyr has been active in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for

nearly two decades. She has held several leadership positions, including NCSL Staff

Chair, Staff Chair of NCSL’s Standing Committees, chair of the Legal Services Staff

Section, and staff vice chair

of the Redistricting and Elections Committee. She has also served on NCSL’s

Executive Committee and Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee and was a recipient of the Legislative

Staff Achievement Award from the Legal Services Staff Section.

Cyr has served the Nebraska Legislature since 1981, first as a bill drafter and then as Assistant Revisor of

Statutes, before joining the Legislative Research Office in 1992. Currently, she is the Director of Research, a

position she has held since 2010. Prior to

her appointment, she was the office’s legal counsel. She also served

as legal counsel to the Legislature’s Redistricting Committee in 2001 and 2011. Cyr received her BA and JD

from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

UPN, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 318: Invitation til arbejdsfrokost med amerikansk delegation af lovgivere

Mr. William Pound

NCSL Executive Director

William Pound has been the executive director of the National Conference of State

Legislatures (NCSL) since 1987. Mr. Pound has been with NCSL since its founding in 1975

and has been instrumental in the development of many of its innovative programs and

services designed for legislators, legislative leaders, and legislative staff.

Mr. Pound has researched and written extensively on legislatures, the legislative process,

and fiscal and public finance issues. He speaks to both national and international audiences

on topics of state government fiscal conditions, public policy issues, and on the activities of state legislatures

and federalism. He also taught political science at the University of Colorado, the University of Denver, and

Colorado State University.

He received his BA in political science from the University of Denver; completed a U.S. Department of

Interior fellowship with Special Program, Water Resources Management, University of Wisconsin; and was a

PhD candidate in political science at the University of Colorado.

Ms. Kathy Brennan Wiggins

Director, International Programs

NCSL

Kathleen Brennan Wiggins is the Director of the International Programs

department at the National Conference of State Legislatures. In this capacity, she

directs and manages the Conference's international activities. She is responsible for organizing and managing

numerous study tours, supervising technical assistance projects involving legislatures in various countries,

coordinating conferences on public policy issues with international officials, among other activities. Ms.

Brennan Wiggins has been with NCSL for more than twenty years and has held numerous positions with

NCSL. Prior to working for NCSL, Ms. Brennan Wiggins worked as a legislative assistant in a Congressional

Member's office on Capitol Hill and as a committee staff member in a state legislature. She obtained an

undergraduate degree from Manhattanville College and a Masters degree from the George Washington

University School of Business and Public Administration.