Panel Discussions

The DU Strategic Issues Panel process is built upon three principles: relevant information; civil discourse; and consensus-based decision making. Information is the foundation of the panel's work. Over a period of several months, panel members examine the selected issue in depth, weighing research and opinions from a variety of sources.

The panel discussions focus on developing consensus findings and recommendations based on information presented and panel members' own experience and perceptions. Panels are completely independent, free to develop such conclusions as panel members consider appropriate.

You can review many of the materials presented to the panel, summaries of panel discussions, and video highlights below.

Presentations

Sept. 5, 2007

Processes for revising the Constitution
An overview of state constitutional revision processes focusing on the questions, How would one measure functional effectiveness of the Colorado Constitution? At what point should a state consider major constitutional revision? and What are the options?
Speaker: Robert F. Williams, associate director, Center for State Constitutional Studies, Rutgers University
| Presentation handout (PDF) | News coverage

Sept. 7, 2007

Fiscal issues and the Constitution
A review of Colorado’s Constitution, with particular attention to fiscal matters, that addresses the question, What are the principal problems with the Colorado’s Constitution, and how serious are they?
Speaker: Charlie S. Brown, director, Center for Colorado’s Economic Future, University of Denver
| Presentation notes (PDF)

Amending the Colorado Constitution
An additional perspective on constitutional issues with particular focus on procedures for amending the Colorado Constitution. A key question is, If one wished to undertake a major review of Colorado’s Constitution, what approaches could be used?
Speaker: Douglas G. Brown, former director, Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services
| Presentation notes (PDF) | Presentation handout (PDF)

Sept. 14, 2007

Legislators’ views on the Constitution
Two experienced legislators’ views of the Colorado Constitution. One from Andrew Romanoff, Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, and a second view from Representative Al White, a long-time proponent of constitutional reform in Colorado. Both legislators will focus on these questions: What, if anything, is wrong with Colorado’s constitution? and If there are problems, what should we do and how should we do it?
Speakers: Andrew Romanoff, Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, and Al White, member of the Colorado House of Representatives
of Andrew Romanoff | of Al White
Meeting notes (PDF) | News coverage

Strengths and weaknesses of the Constitution
An academic and legal view of the strengths and weaknesses of the Colorado Constitution, examining the question, Are there significant shortcomings of the Colorado Constitution and, if so, what might be options for remediation?
Speaker: Richard B. Collins, director of the Byron White Center, University of Colorado Law School
| Presentation notes (PDF) | Meeting notes (PDF)

Sept. 21, 2007

State constitutions: Best examples
A general review of state constitutions designed to answer the following questions: What is the current state-of-the-art among state constitutions? Are there exemplars? What states are doing what things right in terms of their constitutions and constitutional processes? What are the characteristics of an effective state constitution?
Speaker: G. Alan Tarr, director, Center for State Constitutional Studies, Rutgers University
| Meeting notes (PDF)

State constitutions: Common problems
A general review of state constitutions designed to answer the following questions: What are the main problems and issues that state constitution-makers currently face in designing their constitutions and constitutional processes? What are the various approaches that different state constitution-makers around the country have taken to address these problems and issues? What are the advantages and disadvantages of following these different approaches to designing state constitutions and constitutional processes?
Speaker: John Dinan, associate professor, Wake Forest University
| Meeting notes (PDF)

Oct. 5, 2007

Changes around the country
Two senior staff professionals from the National Conference of State Legislatures survey constitutional changes among the states including conventions, referred measures, review panels, initiatives and other actions to address the question, What’s happening around the country in terms of state constitutional changes?
Speakers: Brenda Erickson and Jennifer Bowser, program principals, National Conference of State Legislatures
of Brenda Erickson | of Jennifer Bowser
Meeting notes (PDF) | News coverage

Florida: A case study
Florida serves as an interesting case study in constitutional change, as it has five methods to reform its state constitution, including a mandatory and regular constitutional revision process. Rebecca Mae Salokar has studied constitutional change in Florida and addresses the question, What is to be learned from Florida’s experiences with constitutional revision, especially as compared to the initiative and legislative amendment processes?
Speaker: Rebecca Mae Salokar, associate professor, Florida International University
| Meeting notes (PDF)

Discussions

University of Denver