The work ahead: Massachusetts Senator Richard Moore assumed the presidency of the National Conference of State Legislatures in July and spoke with State Legislatures about his plans.

• Position: Interview

STATE LEGISLATURES: What are the key elements of the states' agenda in Congress in the coming year?

SENATOR RICHARD MOORE: The issue that could have the most far-reaching effect on states and local governments will be the federal deficit and the proposals to reduce it. NCSL needs to offer suggestions and work with the National Commission on Fiscal Stability and Reform so the budget isn't balanced on the backs of state governments.

One of my priorities for NCSL is to work with Congress to update the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 to give states a greater role in dealing with legislation or executive branch regulations that impose new costs on them.

NCSL needs to play an active role in reauthorization of the transportation and education acts and implementation of health reform and immigration reform. I will work hard for passage of the Main Street Fairness Act, otherwise known as the Streamlined Sales Tax. Most states would benefit from its passage. Without it, states will continue to lose larger amounts of tax revenue each year as Internet purchases continue to increase.

SL: How have state-federal relations changed in the last couple of years with the new administration?

MOORE: The current administration might lean toward a broader role for the federal government in policy matters. That offers NCSL opportunities and challenges as we work to ensure the state government voice is heard and respected. President Obama is a former state senator, and about half the members of Congress also have prior service in state legislatures. We must continue to remind them that their state legislative experience is one of the reasons they are where they are today. As some of our Texas legislators might say, we need to remind the president and Congress to "dance with them that brung ya."

SL: How do you see the importance of NCSL's role in state-federal relations?

MOORE: NCSL's work in Washington over the years has helped return federal funds to states and has reduced the impact of oppressive mandates. This work has resulted in state funding or reduced burden that more than offsets the NCSL dues payments. Our dues are an investment that ensures our voices are heard in the nation's capital.

Frankly, I would like to see more state legislators take an active role in contacting the U.S. senators and House members in their home states when our Washington office sends out an alert. If we work together as state legislators of both parties and all regions in...