Each year in October The Institute for Policy & Social Research holds its State of the State—Kansas Economic Policy Conference (KEPC). The conference features a theme related to important policy issues confronting Kansans. In 2006, the conference considered the policy challenges created by population trends in Kansas, especially the geographic redistribution of population across the state, and changes in the characteristics of that population. Since 2005, each year’s conference has also included a "State of the State" panel discussion in which scholars from around the state assess economic, demographic, and public finance trends and the public policy issues that they raise.
This issue of the Kansas Policy Review contains articles based on three presentations made by participants in the "State of the State" session, as well as an article by Suzanne Leland adapted from her keynote address on city-county consolidation efforts.
The 2007 Kansas Economic Policy Conference: Kansas E3 = Energy + Economics + Environment is scheduled for Thursday, October 11, 2007. The conference will address the Kansas E3 challenge: How do we meet the often competing demands of our energy and environmental needs while growing and maintaining a healthy economy? Join us as we consider the challenges and possibilities presented by these important issues through keynote speakers and panel discussions. In addition to the main conference site in Lawrence, Kansas, there will be a satellite site in Ulysses, Kansas, the location of the afternoon panel.
We hope you will attend this year’s conference. Please visit our website later this summer for details about the conference and registration.
Joshua L. Rosenbloom is Professor of Economics and Associate Vice Provost for Research at the University of Kansas, and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.