Sunday, December 12, 2010

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