Report of the Strategic Issues Panel on State Government

RETHINKING COLORADO'S GOVERNMENT

The 2010-11 DU Strategic Issues Panel examined the future of state government.

It is clear that state governments across the nation face serious challenges. Falling revenues, service cutbacks, deteriorating infrastructure, struggling schools and personnel layoffs are but some of the woes confronting virtually every state, including Colorado. It is a crisis that questions the viability of states; a topic of fundamental importance that deserves careful study, factually-based perspectives and reasoned discourse. Providing a forum for such thoughtful discussion is the purpose of the strategic issues program.

The central questions before the panel were two: "What principles should guide the role, responsibilities and funding of state governments in the 21st century?" and "How should those principles be applied in Colorado?"

Read More About the 2010-11 Panel

Read the Panel's Report 

Speaker Presentations

The Strategic Issues Panel on the Future of State Government met from August 2010 through July 2011 listening to speakers talk about different aspects of state government.  Watch a video of any of the presentations. 

 

 

Jim Griesemer  - Interviews with Presenters

Jim Griesemer sits down with speakers for short, one-on-one interviews.  In the interviews, speakers highlight and expand on some of the main points in their presentations. Watch a video of any of the interviews.

 

 

2009 Strategic Issues Panel on Immigration

For the United States, immigration has become a perplexing policy puzzle. As a nation, we understand our history and heritage; we know where we have been. We are less sure of where we wish to go.

Nevertheless, solving the dilemma of immigration policy is a task of some urgency and considerable gravity. Immigration affects our national security, shapes the fabric of our society and impacts our economic future. Few topics are more consequential - and few have been more resistant to resolution.

The problem is not a dearth of ideas. The difficulty arises from a lack of architecture. What is required is an overarching design that can guide the formation of a comprehensive immigration policy. Creating such an architecture, and organizing policy recommendations within that framework, is the aim of the 2009 Strategic Issues Panel on Immigration. 

Read the panel's report: Architecture for Immigration Reform: Fitting the Pieces of Public Policy