Thought Leader Thursday

Every American deserves the opportunity to reach financial security and achieve the American Dream. Unfortunately, far too many are struggling to make ends meet, and the economic and health impacts of COVID-19 have only deepened the disparities in our nation...

I have long been committed to expanding financial literacy in Kentucky, and this April I look forward to new opportunities that will spark meaningful conversations with our families and youth with my first Treasurer’s Financial Bee Challenge...

April is Financial Literacy Month and is a great opportunity to showcase the important work your state is doing around financial literacy and empowerment. We all have stories to share – I’ve seen what many of you are doing ...

Like many of you, we have had to improvise swiftly in New York State just to conduct our ordinary business. And we found – as we problem-solved and worked outside of our usual boxes – that the more we adapted, the more we saw opportunities. ..

Despite the challenges posed by 2020, SMDN came together in a unique, but effective way and made tremendous strides on all of these fronts. If anything, the necessity to go virtual opened up opportunities and allowed us to spread our reach...

As Chair of the Retirement Security Task Force here in Wisconsin, I worked with a diverse coalition of legislators, business owners, retirement experts, and workers to develop bipartisan, cost-effective, and innovative solutions to help tackle financial insecurity during retirement....

In Ohio and across the country, persistent problems like addiction, infant mortality, and poverty plague our communities and hold our families back. As an engineer, I was taught to evaluate the challenge before you and then find a solution...

It’s been a jam-packed week and we still have a full day of programming ahead of us! We wanted to recap some of the key takeaways from this week’s sessions so far...

I urge you to make appointments to meet virtually with your members of Congress after these briefings to continue our mantra that when State Treasurers speak, federal decisionmakers listen...

Personal finance education has never been more relevant than it is today in the COVID-19 era. The virus has disrupted the finances of many hard-working citizens and left them wondering how to navigate their economic obligations....

I am honored to serve as Chair of the NAST Financial Education Directors Caucus. The focus of the Caucus is to provide an opportunity for staff to learn about promising practices and talk about common issues. Although our programs may vary state by state, we have the same goals and more often than not, we face the same challenges...

It is our duty as unclaimed property administrators to reunite the money and property we hold in custody with its rightful owner, especially amid the extraordinary economic challenges facing the citizens of our country...

Here are 10 Things to Know and Consider for State Treasurers in the 117th Congress....

As we approach our national Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I reflected on what he might have said about America today and a particularly prescient quote of Dr. King came to mind. In his quote, Dr. King explained that, "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny." ...

I am excited to assume my new role as president of NAST - the association I consider my professional home and family. I am honored by your faith and trust in me to lead this organization as we shift from stay-at-home orders to the promise of vaccinations so we can all be together again as soon as possible...

As we close out 2020 here at NAST world headquarters, meaning my dining room table, I reflect on changes we made to our Daily Newsletter. Last January we updated the format of our Daily Brief, based on your feedback...

The novel coronavirus changed the way we do business in many ways – from the overnight switch to remote work, to quickly executing pandemic relief programs for jobless constituents such as Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and finally, our new focus as a society on doing the right thing...

I know it’s far from original. In fact, the cliché may have become a punchline. But I’m going to say it anyway: 2020 was a truly unprecedented year. In almost every way. From the public health crisis caused by the ongoing pandemic, to the ensuing economic fallout that pushed many of our states into making extreme budget decisions, 2020 has been a lot to deal with...

This past August in this weekly column, I shared with you that the people of Louisiana would vote in November on whether to protect Unclaimed Property in a constitutional trust fund. I promised to update you on the outcome...

As we begin to wrap up a financially and emotionally tough year for many and approach the holiday season, I want to use this space to remind everyone to check if you or your family has unclaimed property....

I am hoping to use this Thought Leader Thursday to start the conversation about how State Treasurers can help local governments by sharing some examples of how my team, which includes the Indiana Bond Bank (IBB), has risen to the challenge of helping our locals continue to survive and thrive...

Whether you consider yourself a member of NAST, NAUPA, CSPN, SDMN, or a Corporate Affiliate - if you are in a dues paying office you are connected to one of the largest networks of public finance professionals around the country...

As the Delaware State Treasurer, I understand well the impact of denying states and local governments and their citizens an additional stimulus package. Unfortunately, with less than a week until the election, no such support has come...

It’s no secret that retirement readiness is a significant challenge for far too many..

Your dedication to #GettingTheJobDone speaks volumes about your commitment to your constituents and to NAST as an organization...

As we take time to reflect on the lessons we have learned during this pandemic, we must remain focused and resolved to continue working together, across state lines, to gain insight from our growing partnerships...

While a great deal of what you hear from us is directly or indirectly related to the pandemic, we also continue to focus on our core NAST issues...

Can we think constructively about these trials as a “refiner’s purifying fire,” and recognize an opportunity to emerge from this adversity as a country strengthened? I believe that we can...

Two days ago, we hosted our Annual Business & Membership meeting. While the setting was quite different – virtual, in lieu of our previously planned Annual Conference in San Diego – it was wonderful to gather together as always...

I applaud everyone for the focus and passion I have witnessed during these challenging times, and know that as we forge ahead we will persevere together...

Good leadership often involves standing elbow to elbow and leaping forward together...

Earlier this summer, the Louisiana Legislature passed legislation allowing the people of Louisiana to decide whether Unclaimed Property should be protected in a constitutional trust fund.

Now, with COVID-19 continuing to spread, it appears uncertainty will be the defining characteristic of yet another school year...

Crises are of course stressful by nature, and they also serve as an opportunity to reimagine how things work and bring a creative mindset to benefit the millions we serve at the time they need us most...

When government works together, it serves its people better...

Nationally, the U.S. Treasury is currently in possession of over 62 million matured and unredeemed savings bonds, yet makes no effort to reunite over $20 billion in proceeds of these bonds with their rightful owner or heirs...

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the passage of the ADA, we can honor its legacy and build upon its mission by passing the ABLE Age Adjustment Act...

I feel that as a statewide-elected official it is my responsibility to promote resources that benefit citizens in every county, city, and town across the state...

Promoting, encouraging, and establishing structures that allow for retirement savings is one of our most important roles as State Treasurers...

The crisis has brought opportunities for state and local governments, philanthropists, financial services and other industries to collaborate and reimagine solutions that can help improve financial stability of families and get them on the right track to living a financially healthy life...

As I get closer to the end of my third year as Executive Director of NAST, it’s a good time to reflect on where we are...

One of the core missions of NAST is to provide opportunities for Treasurers to share best practices as they serve their constituents and meet the duties to which they were elected or appointed...

Well designed and executed initiatives can result in a refreshing contrast and help elevate State Treasury programs to new levels—reflecting the tremendous and beneficial work that continues to be done on a daily basis—especially when facing unprecedented challenges...

A defining moment of a student’s educational path is the point at which the child’s family begins saving for college...

Millions of American families lack the cash savings to weather a rainy day, let alone put money aside for college and retirement...

Have you registered for the TMTS Virtual Conference yet...

As thought leaders on Financial Education issues we want to give you the opportunity to start your planning now...

2020 has brought challenges none of us could have ever expected. My admiration for those who serve the public has only grown during this crisis...

As I am sure many of you have heard by now, the Treasury Management Training Symposium (TMTS) hosted by NAST will be a virtual conference this year...

By embracing the unexpected new challenge of continuing to provide top-notch services to state agencies, local governments, and the people they directly serve, our teams must seek new avenues of doing business to help us reach our goals...

Knowing that our hardworking staff is adapting daily to new challenges and is keeping the state’s money safe and accessible enables me to focus on the big picture...

If the COVID-19 pandemic is teaching us anything, it’s to look for the good in the world...

It seems like new questions arise faster than real answers can emerge. Still, despite all of the new obstacles, Treasurers and treasury staff are #GettingTheJobDone for their states and our country...

While our many commitments may be weighing heavily on us at this time of upheaval around the country, I am energized by the life-long learning and camaraderie of board service...

Whether you manage unclaimed property, debt management, investment portfolios, or college savings plans let us all remember the mission that unites us and that things work better when we work together...

Our offices have tremendous potential to move policy and improve the quality of life in our states in ways that go beyond just dollars and cents...

All of us in public service and our staff have the opportunity to make an impact, regardless of the duration of your tenure...

SDMN’s mission is to lead, educate, and advocate efficient and responsible state debt management essential to meeting states’ financing needs...

As State Treasurers, we all know that student debt is at a crisis point in the United States, at $1.6 trillion, collectively...

Earlier this week, nearly 300 attendees— including 32 State Treasurers – convened in Washington for our largest Legislative Conference to date. For those of you who could not attend, here’s a recap of what you missed...

It’s not in spite of our unique differences, but because of them that our shared voice resonates so loudly on the Hill. When Treasurers speak, federal decision-makers listen...

While there are many important issues discussed through NAST, it’s a privilege to discuss the importance of mitigating cyber threats we may face as treasuries on a day-to-day basis. As all treasuries are a little different...

Since the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act in 2014, NAST has been at the forefront of both advocacy and education for ABLE accounts. Nationally, over 51,000 individuals with disabilities and their families are utilizing an ABLE account to ensure a better financial future...

To me, this quote sums up the value of our programming within the NAST family. I have found time spent at conferences to be invaluable to my work as the Indiana Treasurer of State. Learning is fundamental to leading, both in our offices and in our states...

As we enter this new decade there are many uncertainties and challenges, yet many opportunities too. Treasurers are the fiscal stewards of our states and as such are strong advocates for sound financial policies and principles...

Welcome to 2020 and the first edition of NAST’s newly formatted newsletter. Previously, you received a Daily Brief, along with a variety of other emails informing you about upcoming NAST events.