Potential Risks to State Budgets: How Will Changes in Federal Funding Impact Your State?
The Senate Presidents’’Forum convened for a virtual meeting on April 4, 2025, to discuss the impact on the states of potential federal budget decisions. The presenter, Marcia Howard, has served as Executive Director for the Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS) since 1998. FFIS is a non-partisan, non-advocacy organization that, since its founding in the mid-1980s, has provided rigorous research and analysis of the impact on states of federal budget actions (ffis.org). She provided a brief overview of the different budget processes and options available to Congress for FY 2025 and FY2026.
2025 Spring Zoom Meeting
2025 Winter Forum in Review
Introduction
Inaugurating its 31st year, the Senate Presidents’ Forum met in Sarasota, Florida, on January 2-5, 2025. The Forum was welcomed by new Executive Director Caroline Carlson and by Board Chair Sen. Ron Kouchi (HI) before embarking on an ambitious program focused on state budgets, infrastructure challenges, and cybersecurity. The second day of discussions opened with a global perspective as the Forum considered the evolving U.S.-China relationship and its implications for the states. Subsequent sessions examined the challenges related to teacher shortages, the progress made in broadband access and digital equity, and the potential economic benefits of data centers.
Joe Crosby, CEO of MultiState, reviewed the states’ economic forecasts, discussing the disconnect between consensus forecasts and actual growth in 2024 as well as projections for 2025.
State Infrastructure, Part I
Roads & Bridges vs. Extreme Weather
Garrett Eucalitto, the Commissioner of Connecticut’s DOT and President of AASHTO, highlighted the importance of resilience and sustainability in infrastructure planning.
Securing Critical Infrastructure
CISA’s Kate Nichols highlighted the importance of cybersecurity and infrastructure security, and stressed the importance of a coordinated approach among the states to enhance protection of critical infrastructure against cyber threats.
U.S.-China Relations: What’s at Stake?
The next decade will be decisive in determining the global leader, forewarned Rush Doshi, Director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Rebuilding the Teacher Workforce
Ryan Saunders of the Learning Policy Institute discussed the severe teacher shortages in the U.S., highlighting the negative effects on millions of children.
Next Steps to Universal Broadband
Kathryn de Wit of The Pew Charitable Trusts led a discussion on the topic of universal broadband access, highlighting the progress made by states to date and the need for further understanding of access and affordability.
Chris Koopman discussed the emerging importance of data centers in the modern economy.
The Hon. Mike Dunleavy welcomed the Forum to Alaska.
Sen. Cathy Giessel (AK), Sen. Rod Bray (IN), and Sen. Stuart Adams (UT) enjoyed the sessions.
A welcoming non-partisan atmosphere characterizes the Forum events.