Biennial Institute - Athens, GA

I will be attending the Biennial Institute hosted by the Carl Vinson Institute at the University of Georgia from Sunday, December 12, 2010 until Tuesday, December 14, 2010. The event includes freshmen and incumbent Senators and Representatives and provides opportunities for education and briefings on several of the topics facing the state. I've posted the agenda below.

AGENDA

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2010

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Registration
2:00 p.m.

House convenes in Mahler Auditorium
Senate convenes in Masters Hall

4:00 p.m. - Opening Plenary Session

Welcome - Michael F. Adams, President, University of Georgia

Introduction of New Legislators

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle

Speaker David Ralston

Special Guest Speaker: John Pruitt, WSB-TV Channel 2

Reception Honoring New Members

Sponsored by the Arch Foundation for the University of Georgia

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

7:30 a.m. - Breakfast
Speaker: Dr. Charles Bullock, UGA
8:30 a.m. - Plenary Session: Economic Outlook
Speaker: Dr. David Wyss, Chief Economist, Standard & Poor's
10:00 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. - Plenary Session: Behavioral and Mental Health Settlement

Speaker: Josh Belinfante, Attorney, Robbins Freed

Panelists: Sen. Johnny Grant
Rep. Jay Neal
11:30 a.m. - Plenary Session: Tri-State Water Update

Speakers: Nels Peterson, Executive Counsel, Office of the Governor
Kevin Clark, Executive Director, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
Allen Barnes, Director, Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Panelists: Rep. Lynn Smith, Chair, House Natural Resources and Environment Committee
Sen. Ross Tolleson, Chair, Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee
12:30 p.m. - Luncheon
Speaker: Erroll Davis, Chancellor, University System of Georgia
2:15 p.m. - Plenary Session: Ethics

Speakers: Doug Chalmers, President, Political Law Group, a Chalmers LLC
Stacey Kalberman, Executive Secretary, State Ethics Commission

Panelists: Rep. Joe Wilkinson, Chair, House Ethics Committee
Sen. John Crosby, Senate Ethics Committee
Dennis Dunn, Deputy Attorney General
3:45 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m. - Caucus Meetings

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2010

7:30 a.m. - Breakfast
Speaker: Chief Justice Carol Hunstein
8:30 a.m. - Plenary Session: Georgia Ports Update
Speaker: Curtis Foltz, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority
9:30 a.m. - Plenary Session: Health Care Reform
Speakers: David Merritt, Executive Vice President of Policy and Communications, Center for Health Transformation
Wayne Oliver, Vice President, Center for Health Transformation
10:30 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. - Plenary Session: Report of the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians

Speaker: A.D. Frazier, Chair, Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians

Panelists: Rep. Larry O'Neal, Chair, House Ways and Means Committee
Sen. Jack Hill, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
12:30 p.m. - Luncheon
Speaker: Governor-Elect Nathan Deal
2:00 p.m.- Adjourn