President’s Message
March is the beginning of the end. Winter is almost over, but the recent snows sure left an impression. We will be holding elections soon so please look for candidate statements in a future bulletin. Take the time to see who wants to take SGE into the future. Or send me an email, if you are interested in serving on the board.
The Bulletin is a little late, but for good reason. The extra couple of days allowed the evening seminar report to be finished. Now for the bad news. The promised Anne Krueger report isn't ready yet. It will be here after I get Dr. Krueger's comments. The recent AEA conference brought me to two realizations. First, I should never agree to be a rapporteur. Second, if I do lose my mind and agree to do it, I must write the report immediately following the event. My second SGE public service announcement, "If you agree to write up a talk, do it immediately, don't procrastinate!"
Thank you to everyone who renewed in February. Please take the time to renew if you haven't already. I want to thank everyone for their patience as we move to a direct annual membership. As the system is finalized, you will receive a notice related to your membership expiration the month you expire and two additional months.
The next ASSA/AEA conference is in New Orleans. I bet the weather there will be much nicer than it was in Chicago this year. Don't miss an opportunity to present your research. Here is the 2008 SGE call for sessions in New Orleans.
We had a special Evening Seminar February 20th, 2006. "Crises in Health Care and Health Insurance in the U.S. and Possible Solutions." The report is here.
Our February luncheon featured Roberton Williams, from the Urban Institute. Here is the report.
In March we have Chester Spatt, Chief Economist, SEC. Our April speaker, Diane Rogers, Chief Economist of the House Budget Committee is locked in as well.
The NABE Policy conference is coming this spring. SGE members can attend this conference at the reduced member rate. For more information go to their website http://www.nabe.com/pc07/index.html. Please share this information with your colleagues.
See you soon at an SGE Event.
Bill Lawhorn
President SGE