Short takes on NCSL news.

• Position: National Conference of State Legislatures

State legislators and legislative staff descended on the nation's capitol to lobby Congress on states' rights issues, hear from national experts including U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and economist Beth Ann Bovino, and network with one another during NSCL's Annual Forum.

Nevada Assemblywoman Irene Bustamante Adams (D), left, and Kansas Senator Elaine Bowers (R), co-chairs of NCSL's Legislative Effectiveness Committee, compare notes during a "Building Trust in a Polarized World" session.

From left, Mississippi Senators Bill Stone (D) and Briggs Hopson (R) discuss the Marketplace Fairness Act and transportation funding with fellow Mississippian U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R).

Members of NCSL's Study Group on International Education pose with Max Baucus, U.S. ambassador to China (center), in Beijing during a tour of China in November. The study group--which includes 24 legislators and six legislative staff--is meeting with national and international experts to learn about education reform from high-performing countries.

The Alabama team, including Representatives Ed Henry (R) and April Weaver (R), second and third from left, take a photo break during NCSL's...