JEFFERSON CITY - Sen. John Loudon, R-West St. Louis County, has been appointed vice chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) standing committee on Financial Services for 2003-2004. Loudon will be leading the committee at a time when 46 states are dealing with the worst fiscal crisis in more than 50 years.

"I'm looking forward to working with this committee and searching for answers to the overwhelming financial problems that almost every state is facing," said Loudon. "We need to develop innovative solutions at both the state and federal levels."

NCSL is a bipartisan organization serving the legislators and legislative staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. Its mission is to improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures, foster interstate communication and provide the states a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.

The NCSL Financial Committee has jurisdiction over banking, insurance, credit unions, securities, and other issues related to financial services - such as corporate governance, community reinvestment, consumer protection, credit cards, and financial privacy.

NCSL committee officers, which include both legislators and staff, have a variety of responsibilities including planning the committee's agenda for the year, suggesting program topics and speakers, reviewing proposed policy statements and work products, coordinating lobbying activities, presiding over programs, and serving as liaisons to other committees.

Committees meet three times each year, providing an exchange of information through dialogue, meeting sessions and networking opportunities. In addition to meetings, committees disseminate information through special seminars, web sites, and a variety of written documents and audiotapes.