PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Carcieri passed on an opportunity to attend the July 17-20 National Governors Association conference in Biloxi, Miss., citing "cost, schedule, family commitments.''

Spokeswoman Amy Kempe also cited a March 9 memorandum from the Department of Administration restricting all non-essential travel that began: "As you know the state is experiencing significant fiscal issues.''

But four state lawmakers are on the move.

House leaders are sending Representatives Brian Patrick Kennedy, D-Hopkinton, Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, and Anastasia Williams, D-Providence -- and a staff member receiving an award -- to Philadelphia next week for a July 20-24 "legislative summit'' being hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures on such issues as "budget shortfalls, rising unemployment rates, cuts in corrections and education, green jobs and allocating federal stimulus dollars.''

An NCSL spokeswoman was unwilling to disclose who from Rhode Island had registered to attend, or even how much the state is charged annually to belong to the taxpayer-subsidized organization.

But House spokesman Larry Berman named the travelers and provided an expense summary that indicated they are headed to Philadelphia at a projected cost to taxpayers of $5,981, including registration fees ranging from $499 to $625 depending on how early they booked. Outside of his registration fee, Kennedy is paying travel expenses out of his campaign account, Berman said.

The House is also sending deputy House fiscal adviser Sharon Reynolds Ferland, who is receiving an award given, according to House Finance Chairman Steven Costantino, "to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the resolution of a fiscal or public policy issue before the state legislature [and] has over time consistently demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and excellence.''

A member of the House fiscal staff since 1998, Ferland specializes in education financing, but is also considered "the staff expert'' on state pension and employee benefits.

State Senate leaders are sending Sen. Juan Pichardo, D-Providence, to the event. Spokesman Greg Pare said all of his expenses are being paid for by the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. The Senate is also sending its policy director, Marie Ganim, with the NCSL covering her expenses under what Pare described as a scholarship.

Bill Gates is scheduled to give the keynote address. Other presenters include author, columnist and former White House speechwriter Peggy Noonan, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, economist Bill Wyss and former NFL star Jim Kelly.

In between forums on such topics as "State foreclosure solutions: are they working?'' the conventioneers will have opportunities to tour the port, take a "bipartisan bike ride,'' and attend a "legislators' prayer breakfast,'' a Philadelphia Phillies-Chicago Cubs baseball game and a session on "Mastering the Three-Minute Speech.''

"These are unprecedented times for all of us," said NCSL Executive Director William T. Pound in a news release announcing the event. . "As Thomas Jefferson once said, 'Information is the currency of democracy.' Our goal is to inform our members what states are doing to face some of the most pressing issues of our time."