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Program Challenge
Failures of government, real or perceived, are one of the driving narratives of our era. Unfortunately, the perception is too often accurate: patronage, corruptin, hypocrisy, and conflicts of interest seem pervasive. Trust that state governments have the interests of voters in mind seems naive.

But the problem is even worse than the misbehavior and violations of trust of a small minority who are poisoning the well for the rest. We have reached a point where many constituents, who are deeply suspicious of attempts by leadership to reach compromise with their colleagues of the other party, are questioning the role and purpose of representative democracy altogether. 

What are the consequences when government fails to deliver on its promise to honestly serve the people? What does it take to encourage men and women to place the best interests of the people ahead of the best interests of the party?

Program Objective
Government is essential and necessary: not always pretty, sometimes corrupt, but ultimately a force for good, for stability, for progress.

The solution is to rebuild trust by earning it, by demonstrating that lawmakers can wisely and ethically address the prevailing issues of our day, by being transparent, by striving for the common good, and by doing the right thing as opposed to the expedient. 

We will consider the art and history of compromise. The United States Constitution is perhaps the single best example of the greatness that can be achieved by individuals of unquestioned character but profound philosophical and ideological differences coming together to achieve a common goal. 

This program will use a much more recent example of compromise for the common good as a case study: the recently passed pension reform bill in Rhode Island. We will follow the dramatic course of true champions of the people, complemented with core discussions examining the underpinnings of our representative democracy. Restoring the People's Trust in Government will delve deeply into what it means to be a servant of the people.

Join the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, scholars and colleagues from across the nation for some straight talk on what it means to be a servant of the people.

Watch for additional information about this vitally important program. If you have any questions regarding the program, contact Evelene Lakis at elakis@sllf.org.