Microsoft and Politico present Fourth Annual State Solutions Conference in Washington, D.C.

On Feb. 21, four governors and approximately 150 policy thought-leaders joined us at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center for the fourth annual State Solutions Conference with Politico, previewing the National Governors Association’s annual winter meeting in Washington, D.C.

The two-part event featured one-on-one conversations with governors from across the country and senior Politico reporters on the innovative approaches that states have taken to address complex problems.

Gov. Peter Shumlin (D–Vt.), chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, kicked off the morning panel with an interview conducted by Glenn Thrush, White House Reporter, Politico. Gov. Shumlin and Thrush discussed key national and regional issues in the state of Vermont as well as the 2016 political landscape.

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Glenn Thrush, White House Reporter, Politico, interviews Gov. Peter Shumlin (D–Vt.) at the fourth annual Politico State Solutions Conference at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center.

Following his discussion with Gov. Shumlin, Thrush sat down with Gov. Bill Haslam (R–Tenn.) to discuss an array of topics ranging from Haslam’s efforts to offer free community college to young Tennesseans to Medicaid reform.

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Glenn Thrush, White House Reporter, Politico, discusses higher education issues with Gov. Bill Haslam (R–Tenn.) at the fourth annual Politico State Solutions Conference at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center.

The afternoon session kicked-off with Gov. Sam Brownback (R–Kan.) and Anna Palmer, Senior Washington Correspondent, Politico, engaged in a lively discussion of efforts in Kansas to battle unemployment, encourage small business growth and address health care reform.

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Anna Palmer, Senior Washington Correspondent, Politico, interviews Gov. Sam Brownback (R–Kan.) at the fourth annual Politico State Solutions Conference at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center.

Gov. Jay Nixon (D–Mo.) rounded out the conference with an interview with Alex Burns, Senior Political Reporter, Politico. Their conversation focused on education reform and issues of key importance to Missouri and how Gov. Nixon is striving to give a voice to America’s heartland.

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Alex Burns, Senior Political Reporter, Politico, discusses key Missouri policy issues with Gov. Jay Nixon (D–Mo.) at the fourth annual Politico State Solutions Conference at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center.

Missed the event but want to learn more? Watch archived video of the full conference and read key highlights at Politico. You can also join the conversation online at #POLGovs. Check out Microsoft’s Innovation & Policy Center Washington, D.C. Facebook page for more information on upcoming events.

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