Welcome
President, Stephen Lakis
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. In the last half-century, we’ve held hundreds of educational programs and meetings, touching generations of past, present, and future legislative leaders. As founder and president, I’ve had the good fortune to be doing something I love, working day to day with an exceptional group of professional colleagues. We’ve done incredible work together. And if 2022 is a milestone for SLLF, then my fervent hope is that it also turns out to be the year when Covid is finally tamed, and our political tensions are tempered. That would be a real cause for celebration!
SLLF Upcoming Events
National Speakers Conference
August 23-26, 2022
Santa Fe, New Mexico
The most popular meeting of presiding officers in the land travels to Santa Fe, New Mexico where Speaker Brian Egolf will be our official host for the 30th Annual National Speakers Conference.
Every National Speakers Conference is an opportunity for the host Speaker to showcase their state and their legislature. As participants will immediately discover, the capital city of New Mexico has much to commend itself to our attention and affection. But more than that, the NSC is that special meeting where Republicans and Democrats alike, gather in a spirit of camaraderie and friendship to share notes and learn from one another, all while enjoying the cultural and historic riches of this quintessential American western city!
SLLF Past Events
Conference of State Majority Leaders
July 20-22, 2022
Beverly Hills, California
The 9th annual Conference of State Majority Leaders took place in Beverly Hills, California. Participants shared notes with their fellow majority leaders, learned lessons in leadership and caucus management and heard from former Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer.
Spring Leadership Summit: “Engaging Differences”
April 21-23, 2022
Washington, DC
From the beginning, the United States has been a nation of differences – different races, different ideologies, different philosophies and different parties. And yet, aside from the Civil War, we have always managed to come together peacefully to find common ground. But it feels like that ability to recognize our commonalities is slipping away from us, within government and in public discourse. We discussed how can we embrace our differences and acknowledge that as Americans we have the ability to think, feel and be different from one another?
In Support of Ukraine
At this moment in time, all of us have our eyes focused on Ukraine and its brave, heroic citizens. They are fighting the good fight, defending their freedom and their democracy. They are a shining example to all freedom-loving people.
In 2004, SLLF held an extraordinary international program with the then newly independent, democratic Republic of Ukraine. Our official host was Hon. Serhii Shevchuk, Chair of SLLF Europe and a member of the Ukrainian Parliament. US and European legislative leaders met in Kiev and Yalta and spent time with members of Ukraine’s new parliamentary leadership.
SLLF is proud to have reached out to this fledgling democracy, and now, in its time of need, we pledge our unflagging support to our friends and colleagues there and we look forward to returning to Ukraine one day.
A “Moving” Story
By Papalinka Paradise, Communications Director, SLLF From elegant summer home, to well-appointed bed and breakfast to SLLF headquarters, the historic building known as Fernbrook has served many purposes. Now it will serve as a vacation home to children battling cancer. The story of how SLLF came to occupy [...]
Beacons of Democracy: The 21st Century State Legislature
By Thom Little, Ph.D., SLLF Director of Curriculum Development and Research Last summer, the State Legislative Leaders Foundation was awarded a grant from the Ford Foundation to design a comprehensive study of the 50 state legislatures. With representatives from the National Conference of State Legislatures, we’ve assembled an [...]
Testimonials
“Attending SLLF programs brings me back to “center” when facing the leadership issues that confront me and brings new perspectives and ways to navigate the challenges.”
“SLLF programs always make me think about and sincerely try to improve my own leadership skills and always exceed my expectations. My hope is that every legislator has the privilege of attending an SLLF summit!”
“SLLF programs are unique because of their leadership focus. Every conference talks policy but SLLF programs are tailored to what we as leaders face on a daily basis.”