Villagomez to attend lieutenant governors association’s meeting

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez will join 20 of the nation’s seconds-in-command in Buffalo, New York, on July 23–26, 2008, for the National Lieutenant Governors Association Annual Meeting. The meeting will feature policy briefings and site visits to showcase ideas lieutenant governors may take back to their states.

“Energy prices are rising, state revenues are shrinking, housing is in a slump, and state officials must innovate to balance budgets and meet the service needs of constituents,” said NLGA director Julia Hurst.

Meeting briefings on innovations and fiscal matters include an economic outlook forecast, tourism and the arts, managing the cost of chronic illness, the state of the steel industry, public-private partnerships in parks, and urban renewal. Conservation topics and site visits include wind energy development, a visit to urban windmills, the Department of the Interior water conservation project, and hybrid vehicle information. Preservation topics and site visits include turning a brownfield into a state park and continuation of Great Lakes policy work via a site visit.

Featured speakers and guests include New York Gov. David Paterson, Delaware North Companies vice-president Jeremy Jacobs Jr., Interior Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett, First Wind CEO Paul Gaynor, National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women member Anne Crews, New York assemblymen Robin Schimminger and Francine DelMonte, New York Sens. George Maziarz and Antoine Thompson, and other national and local leaders.

“New York, the 16th largest economy in the world, is an example of the essence of the office of lieutenant governor,” said Hurst. “The state has a Governor who succeeded from the office of lieutenant governor just months before this meeting. Hearing the story of the New York gubernatorial succession will be an instructive governance opportunity.”

Villagomez is co-sponsoring several policy resolutions filed for consideration for adoption. Resolutions for consideration include:

-Support of a National Military Family Relief Fund

-Support of Children’s Low Cost Laptops

-For Better Health Care for All

-For Arts: Ask for More

-Support Establishment of an International Education Policy

-In Support of Arts and Humanities Month

NLGA is a bipartisan association with the mission to promote the effectiveness and efficiency of the office of lieutenant governor and those first in line of gubernatorial succession. Visit www.nlga.us for more information. (PR)