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
Conference of State Majority Leaders
July 20-22, 2022
Beverly Hills, California
Join us in stylish Beverly Hills, California for our 9th annual Conference of State Majority Leaders. Compare notes with your fellow majority leaders from across the country and enjoy a private VIP evening at Universal Studios. Learn lessons in leadership and caucus management plus get expert advice from former Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer. You won’t want to miss this amazing opportunity to glean insight into how other Majority Leaders do their jobs, and quite possibly make friends along the way. We’ll see you July 20-22 in Beverly Hills!
SLLF Past Events
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.
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 [...]
SLLF and NICD: Just Like Peas and Carrots
By Thom Little, Ph.D., SLLF Director of Curriculum Development and Research Some things just belong together. Peas and carrots. Peanut butter and jelly. Ben and Jerry. Bats and baseballs. SLLF and NICD. Okay, that last one may not be one that comes to mind as readily as the [...]
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.”