Minneapolis.

• Position: SNAPSHOTS FROM SUMMIT - Conference news

YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE. The host-state slogan--"Minneapolis Nice"--was no exaggeration. The speakers were nice. The sessions were nice. The networking was nice. Even the weather cooperated during NCSL's 40th annual Legislative Summit, this year in Minneapolis. More than 100 sessions on a wide range of public policy issues and insightful speakers--from former NATO commander Wesley Clark to humanitarian Cindy McCain to cellist Yo-Yo Ma--were only part of the agenda. If you weren't there, or you'd like a refresher, go to www.ncsl.org to review handouts, photos, videos and more from another successful Summit. We're already planning next year's. Mark your calendars now for Seattle, Aug. 3-6, 2015.

STATE-FEDERAL POLICIES WERE ADOPTED

State legislators adopted policy resolutions to guide NCSL's efforts in our nation's capital. "Our resolutions have to promote federalism, oppose unfunded mandates, oppose federal preemption and support the notion of flexibility with federal policy," says Utah Senator Curt Bramble (R), NCSL president-elect. This year's resolutions:

* Give states the authority to collect the sales taxes owed them from online and remote sales by supporting the Marketplace Fairness Act.

* Solve America's long-term transportation funding crisis by allocating resources for states to use to explore alternatives to the fuel tax.

* Continue to support veterans and the Army National Guard by protecting several educational, health care and employment programs from funding cuts.

OPINIONS WERE HEARD

Washington Senator Randi Becker (R) plugs the 2015 Legislative Summit in Seattle. Bicyclists get a view of both sides of Minneapolis during the 10th annual Bipartisan Bike Ride. Massachusetts Representative Jay Kaufman (D) speaks at the annual business meeting.

SPEAKERS WERE THOUGHT-PROVOKING, SESSIONS WERE FANTASTIC, FRIENDSHIPS WERE FORMED

"It's all good, but I love the...