As state governments around the country are taking a larger role in solving the critical policy issues facing the nation, the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) has expanded its largest board of state legislators -- the Legislative Advisory Board (LAB).

LAB, which comprises a core group of progressive state elected officials, was established to help guide the DLC's state legislative outreach efforts, and to help develop, promote and bring to scale innovative ideas grounded in the mainstream values of opportunity, responsibility, security, and empowering state government.

Now, on the 10th anniversary of its creation, the DLC has expanded the LAB network to more than 225 members from 45 states and Puerto Rico.

"The future of the Democratic Party and the country lies in the hands of upcoming state leaders," said DLC Founder and CEO Al From. "The DLC is committed to identifying and engaging legislators in programs like LAB to address critical state issues with effective New Democratic policy."

The board is chaired by Pennsylvania State Representative Jennifer Mann who was central in the development of what is known today as LAB. Other notable members include state legislators such as Representative Lou D'Allesandro, (NH); Senate President Pro Tempore Jeff Danielson (IA); House Democratic Leader Doug Jennings, Jr., (SC); Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, (CO); Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, (NY); Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, (NV); House Majority Leader Steve Tobocman, (MI).

The LAB program gives members a DLC-supported forum to identify and share good policy ideas working in their states. To date, the board has helped with several DLC initiatives including the Leadership Workshop Series, a successful training program that works with state elected officials on developing ideas-based, values-based policy and political messages. LAB has also helped grow the DLC's annual meeting, the National Conversation, into the premier annual gathering for New Democrat leaders.

The board is chaired by Pennsylvania State Representative Jennifer Mann.

To learn more about the LAB, please contact the DLC Political Dept. at 202-546-0007.