Differences Aside, Legislatures Remain Institutions of Real Hope.

• Author: Storey, Tim
• Position: FROM THE CEO

"We live in extraordinary times."

A phrase likely uttered in every year since Neanderthals wandered Eurasia 40,000 years ago. I won't let that stop me from employing it once again.

America seems to be going through an extraordinary spasm of societal turmoil, with too many of our fellow citizens losing respect for those with different views, beliefs and opinions. And sadly, there are even a few examples of this happening within legislatures. However, those are the exceptions. When I look at legislatures, I see people committed to working together, listening to each other and finding solutions, typically via compromise, that benefit their states.

That's why I am optimistic about where America is going. Legislatures remain institutions of real hope for positive change and problem-solving. I know this because I have spoken to scores of you who work in and with legislatures. You are people who know that the legislative system, while not always smooth and seamless, is designed for the exploration of ideas to tackle vexing issues, leading to policies that move the country forward and bring us together as Americans.

That's what NCSL's Legislative Summit is about, too. As always, this year's Summit offers a singular showcase for innovative policies and ideas. Struggling with a complex problem that seems impossible? Yearning to improve your skills as a legislator or staffer? You're not alone. The Summit is about connecting you with peers from all over the country so that you can work on those things together. And even though your ideological views on some issues may differ from those of your colleagues, you will quickly find that you have far more in common than you imagined, simply by getting to know them.

NCSL has crafted a program that features exceptional speakers and experts designed to stimulate thoughtful discussion, forge connections and make the difficult job of legislating a little easier.

Fifty years ago, legislatures were dubbed "sometime governments," leading to a transformative era of modernization beginning in the 1970s and '80s. Public access to legislative information exploded and is now...