NEWS RELEASE
 

November 30, 2005

For more information contact:
Susan Reams, (360) 786-7700, reams.susan@leg.wa.gov

Owen Focuses on State and Business Financial
Matters at National Lieutenant Governors Conference

Perdido, Ala. -- Lt. Governor Brad Owen and members of the executive and operational committees of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) are meeting in Alabama Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 to focus on state and business financial matters.  Owen serves as a member of the NLGA’s finance committee and as its executive committee’s region-at-large representative for the west.   

“States and the territories continue to seek innovative solutions to the many financial challenges facing them,” said NLGA Director Julia Hurst.  “The lieutenant governors will hear from and question national experts on retirement systems, investments, and earmarking within state budgets.” 

Alabama has the distinction of having the nation’s most earmarked state budget with 90 percent of its funds allocated prior to the start of budget debate.  The sessions will include a moderated discussion of lieutenant governors from a dozen states on earmarking within budgets.  For instance, the Alabama’s Public Employee Retirement System takes an “out-of-the-box” approach to investing, including ownership of US Airways.  The lieutenant governors will engage in debate about these revenue-raising strategies. 

 “This meeting also charts the course for the business and financial operations of the association for the coming year,” said Hurst.  “As such, lieutenant governors will hear about several health care projects, including possible engagement to ‘End Cervical Cancer in Our Lifetime.’” 

“USA Today and the Washington Post have published stories this year on the growing importance of this office nationwide,” said Hurst.  “In Indiana, the office has 42 statutory duties, including direct oversight of three agencies.  New Jersey created the office in elections last week.”

 “NLGA members will also prepare at this meeting to provide assistance and training to the new members to be elected in 2006 to help them become effective as quickly as possible for the nation’s constituents,” said Hurst.  

More information on the National Lieutenant Governors Association can be found on the NLGA Web site.

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