State Legislative Leaders Foundation

The State Legislative Leaders Foundation was established in 1972 as a nonprofit corporation dedicated to working with state legislative leaders in their efforts to reform the institution of the state legislature. The Foundation's earliest funding derived from a multi-million dollar Ford Foundation grant which was earmarked for a seven-state pilot project known as The Program for Legislative Improvement. The seven states selected for this project included: Ohio, Colorado, Minnesota, Arizona, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The early 70's was a time of dramatic change in state government and state legislatures in particular. A series of books and studies had been published at the turn of the decade calling for significant reform of state legislatures which at that time were roundly characterized as inefficient, lacking adequate institutional capacity to tackle the public issues of the day, devoid of professionalism in their staffing ranks, and suffering from an overall malaise that many students of state government felt was severely hampering the proper functioning of our democracy.

The Program for Legislative Improvement evolved out of a national study conducted by the Citizens Conference on State Government. That study led to the publication of a book, "The Sometimes Governments", ranking all 50 state legislatures according to how well they carried out their responsibilities as law making bodies for the people. Those rankings, from 1 for best in the country to 50, the worst, generated a significant uproar, particularly among the lower 25 state legislatures.

The State Legislative Leaders Foundation became the vehicle to implement the many recommendations emanating out of "The Sometimes Governments" study. For four years, from 1972 through 1976, the SLLF worked with the leadership in these seven state legislatures, sharpening our skills about the inner workings of state government and developing an abiding respect for the role state legislative leaders play in the process.

When the grant finally had run its course, the Foundation's President, Stephen G. Lakis, elected to reincorporate SLLF in Massachusetts and redefine its mission to be more focused on serving state legislative leaders.

Staff - State Legislative Leaders Foundation

 

 

Stephen G. Lakis President Stephen joined SLLF in 1972 just after it was established and through the following decade honed his political skills by working directly with state legislative leaders across the country on a series of legislative reform studies. In 1981, the Board of Directors appointed him President and Chief Executive Officer.  Stephen created the blueprint for bringing political, business and academic leaders together on college campuses to examine critical public policy issues and aspects of leadership. Over the course of his tenure the SLLF has grown into the preeminent nonpartisan legislative leadership organization in the land reaching Senate Presidents, Speakers of the House, Majority and Minority leaders, and future leaders, with its unrivaled university-based educational programs. In addition to overseeing all SLLF activities, he is a frequent speaker on legislative leadership, ethics, and legislative performance. He also has extensive experience in the international arena where he has organized scores of programs in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.  Stephen received his BA in Political Science from the University of Bridgeport. He also attended graduate school at American University. He is married to the former Evelene Corrigan and is the proud father of four grown children, two grown stepchildren, and grandfather of two perfect girls!

立法、司法與行政係民主法治國家的重要支柱，「美國立法領袖基金會」由該國各州參、眾議院議長及立法領袖組成，象徵民主意義與價值廣受各界尊重與實踐。　　
　　　

「美國立法領袖基金會」會長Stephen G. Lakis 增進美方對臺灣文化與願景的瞭解，進一步鞏固臺美友誼。
 

 

	主持人	Stephen G. Lakis