2025 Fall Forum in Review
Introduction
The Senate Presidents’ Forum met in Kona, Hawai’i on September 3 – 7, 2025. Hosted by Senate President Ron Kouchi (HI) and Senate Majority Leader Dru Mamo Kanuha (HI), the Forum received a warm welcome from Hawai’i’s Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke. Plenary sessions focused on the implications of House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1) for the states, with an opening session dedicated to Medicaid. We considered recommendations for budget resiliency in a changing fiscal environment and explored the new realities of trans-Pacific trade as tariffs and trade agreements evolve. Admiral Samuel Paparo provided a briefing on Pacific Rim security, illuminating challenges and opportunities in the sector. The Forum reviewed lessons learned from the Lahaina fire for disaster mitigation, and concluded with the perennial challenge of workforce development.
Managing Medicaid: Policy Strategies for State Senate Leaders + Roundtable Discussion
Kathryn Costanza
Significant changes in federal law affecting Medicaid necessitate state policymakers to evaluate future eligibility and funding levels, among other potential changes. Members discussed options and strategies as states prepare to adjust to new federal provisions.
Welcome by Hawai’i Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke
Understanding the New Trans-Pacific Trade Environment
Barbara Weisel
As the United States imposes new tariffs, the relationships with our trading partners are evolving. A chief negotiator for the Transpacific Partnership Agreement discussed how our trade alliances with Pacific Rim nations are changing and what that means for the future of trade in the region.
Natural Disaster Mitigation and Management – Learnings from Lahaina
Derek Alkonis
Policymakers around the nation regularly are confronting the aftermath of significant natural disasters. The Forum heard from a wildfire expert who, using the Lahaina fires as a case study, offered guidance on natural disaster prevention, preparedness and response.
Admiral Samuel Paparo
The Senate Presidents’ Forum welcomed the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, who provided a real-time security briefing on the Pacific. Admiral Paparo also provided suggestions on policy issues that state leaders can prioritize to strengthen the state-military partnership.
Budget Resiliency in a Rapidly Changing Fiscal Environment
Mary Murphy
State leaders face many budgetary challenges, including the changing state-federal fiscal relationship, economic uncertainties affecting revenues and spending, and the unknown costs dealing with unanticipated events, like natural disasters. This session featured best practices for enhancing budget resiliency with specific ideas around building disaster-ready budgets.
Building the Talent Pipeline – Lessons from the Heartland & Beyond
Angie Cooper
SPF's focus on workforce continues with this session on human capital and developing the talent pipeline. Citing programs that have proven successful across several states and communities — including rural and urban settings alike — this session covered a number of sector-specific approaches and research-grounded solutions.
2025 Summer Forum in Review
Introduction
The Senate Presidents’ Forum met in Ljubljana, Slovenia, July 9-13, 2025. Our plenary sessions focused on U.S.-Slovenia relations, examined apprenticeships as they are practiced in Switzerland and Slovenia, and assessed the future of U.S.–EU trade. The group explored the role of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in fostering trade, and learned of artificial intelligence safeguards implemented by the EU. A lively roundtable discussion of challenges and accomplishments by the states was followed by a workshop focused on authentic leadership.
Greg Meier
2025-07-10 08:45 - 09:15
SPF was delighted to have the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy of Mission in Slovenia welcome our group to Ljubljana and provide an overview of the strong, 30-plus year diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Exploring the Fabric of Slovenian Society
Rok Spruk
2025-07-10 09:15 - 10:15
Dr. Spruk, Professor of Economics, summarized the tumultuous years leading up to Slovenia’s independence in 1991 and how the country has quietly evolved into one of Europe’s success stories.
Apprenticeships and Vocational Education: Lessons from Two EU Nations
Darko Mali
Erik Swars
2025-07-10 10:30 - 11:30
Many European nations have embraced alternative forms of education for students who may not be college bound. Our presenters discussed lessons learned from a recently launched program as well as a more tested approach.
The Future of EU-US Trade Relations
L. Daniel Mullaney
2025-07-11 08:30 – 09:30
The U.S. is embarking on revised trade agreements with many nations around the world. A former U.S. Trade Representative discussed the key components of our developing trade relations in Europe.
SME’s: Fostering Trade for Small Business
Ajša Vodnik
2025-07-11 09:30 - 10:15
Small- and medium-sized businesses are economic drivers in the U.S. Learn how Slovenia is nurturing their smaller enterprises to be successful and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Mark Boris Andrijanič
2025-07-11 10:30 - 11:30
In conversation with Slovenia’s first-ever minister of digital transformation, Forum members gained insights about the EU’s progress shaping AI policy. Considerations included how to provide protections and accountability while preserving opportunities to capitalize on the technology's expanding potential.
Roundtable Discussion – Legislative Session Challenges and Accomplishments
Corina Mulder
2025-07-12 08:30 - 09:45
Recent legislative sessions were dynamic, especially given the uncertainty of federal budget changes and their impact on the states. State leaders discussed top achievements from their 2025 session and what policy matters remain to be addressed.
The Power of Authentic Leadership – Leading with Trust and Integrity in Times of Complexity
Alenka Braček Lalić
2025-07-12 10:00 - 11:30
The challenges facing legislative leaders are constantly changing and, in some cases, becoming more difficult. This interactive session explored how authentic leadership can support leaders in their quest to be more effective.
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.
