Homeland Security Relations Discussed

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 20, 2005) − The Institute of Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (IFIR) will hold its first meeting on ''Homeland Security and Intergovernmental Relations'' today, Monday, June 20, from noon until 4 p.m. in the Alltel Room of the Hardymon Building on the University of Kentucky campus.

IFIR is a newly-established research institute, housed at UK’s Martin School of Public Policy and Administration. It is a joint effort of the Martin School and the Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy at Morehead State University. IFIR is a multidisciplinary enterprise that brings together faculty and students with interests and expertise in the field of federalism and intergovernmental relations to study public policy issues.

“Our first meeting will bring distinguished visitors to the UK campus who are engaged, in quite different ways, in public policy matters pertaining to homeland security and intergovernmental relations,” said David Wildasin, IFIR director. “These visitors will discuss aspects of homeland security matters that they have encountered and, in particular, important intergovernmental issues that have arisen in this context.”

Visiting speakers include: Dan Sprague, executive director, Council of State Governments; Brad Cowgill, state budget director, Commonwealth of Kentucky; Trina Sheets, National Emergency Management Association; Earl Motzer, CEO, James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital; Sylvia Lovely, Kentucky League of Cities; Ewell Balltrip, National Institute for Hometown Security; and Carl Stenberg, University of North Carolina School of Government.

Participating faculty include: David Wildasin, Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, and IFIR director; Michael Hail, IRAPP, Morehead State University, and IFIR associate director; and Edward Jennings, director, Martin School of Public Policy and Administration. Other IFIR faculty research associates and graduate students from the Martin School and from Morehead State will also be in attendance.

“During the meeting, we hope to address questions about homeland security policy in coming years and how research and analysis can facilitate better policymaking,” said Wildasin. “We also want to look at the research initiatives that may now be underway in government agencies in the field of homeland security policy and intergovernmental relations. This meeting will provide a forum for exploratory discussions that can help to guide IFIR research in coming years.”

To learn more about IFIR, visit www.ifigr.org.