Capitol Ideas | 2018 | Issue 1 | CSG Serves the States by The Council of State Governments

JAN | FEB 2018

CSG SERVES THE STATES TOP 5 POLICY ISSUES FACING STATES IN 2018 MEET YOUR NEW CSG LEADERS WORKING ACROSS STATE LINES TO SOLVE PROBLEMS DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF CSG

10 QU E S TIONS WITH

SEN. PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS | Kentucky

Thank you!

CSG’S 2018 LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

To learn more about CSG’s Leadership Circle and Associates Program, please contact Maggie Mick, Director of Advancement | The Council of State Governments | ph 859.244.8113 | mmick@csg.org

January/February

CSG SERVES THE STATES ON THE COVER Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers has served in the Kentucky General Assembly since 1997 and represents the 25th Senate District, which encompasses Clay, Knox, Lee, Owsley, Whitley and Wolfe counties in the southeastern part of the state. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as Senate majority floor leader in 2009, a position he served in until being elected Senate president in 2012 and again in 2014 and 2016. Stivers is serving as CSGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 chair. Photo Courtesy Bud Kraft

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TOP 5 POLICY ISSUES FOR 2018

MY CSG

CSG THROUGH THE DECADES

MEET YOUR CSG LEADERS

CSG policy experts examine the top policy issues facing states in 2018 in the areas of education, energy and environment, fiscal and economic development, federal affairs, health, international affairs, transportation and infrastructure, and workforce development.

CSG brings together state leaders across the nation to share ideas so they can build stronger states back at home. In this piece, CSG members and Toll Fellows share how CSG has impacted their lives and careers, as well as the potential for others to get involved.

Beginning in the 1920s, CSG has a long and rich history of serving the states. Henry Wolcott Toll, CSGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder, built the only nonpartisan policy organization that serves all three branches of government, but what did it take to get here?

CSG is honored to have these new leaders at the helm for 2018. It will be an interesting policy year for states, and each new member of our leadership brings years of experience and expertise to help guide our work.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

JAN/FEB

FEATURES

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CSG

THEY TWEETED IT | csg serves the states

CHAMPIONING EXCELLENCE

REGIONAL ROUNDUP | east

36 REGIONAL ROUNDUP | south 38 REGIONAL ROUNDUP | midwest

SPOTLIGHT: CSG Serves the States

8 Top 5 Policy Issues for 2018

44 10 Questions: Sen. Robert Stivers

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers has served in the Kentucky General Assembly since 1997 and represents the 25th Senate District. He was elected by his colleagues as Senate president in 2012 and again in 2014 and 2016. Stivers is serving as CSG’s 2018 president.

26 My CSG

46 Working Across State Lines

28 CSG Through the Decades Beginning in the 1920s, CSG has a long and rich history of serving the states. Henry Wolcott Toll, CSG’s founder, built the only nonpartisan policy organization that serves all three branches of government, but what did it take to get here?

30 Meet Your CSG Leaders CSG is honored to have these new leaders at the helm for 2018. It will be an interesting policy year for states, and each new member of our leadership brings years of experience and expertise to help guide our work.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

34 Regional Roundup

CSG’s regional structure allows state leaders to address policy issues unique to their region, as well as grow a network of colleagues close to home. Read about CSG’s regional leadership, training programs, and meetings in your area of the country.

to Solve Problems Interstate compacts are fast becoming the preferred tool to promote workforce mobility and multistate economic development, especially in the health care sector. In 2017, states passed compact legislation addressing professional licensure portability and reciprocity across state lines.

48 Learning to Lead with CSG One of the most important functions of CSG is supporting state leaders in their service by offering national and regional development opportunities. While leadership is an innate trait for many public servants, learning to lead is a skill that must be continually practiced and honed.

50 State Leaders Make New Year’s Resolutions As we begin a new year, many state leaders are reflecting in their experiences and setting goals for the new year. Read New Year’s resolutions from CSG members and recent Henry Toll Fellowship graduates for the coming year.

40 REGIONAL ROUNDUP | west 42 JUSTICE CENTER ROUNDUP | dc 52 CSG FAMILY TREE

publisher DAVID ADKINS

dadkins@csg.org

editor-in-chief KELLEY ARNOLD karnold@csg.org

contributing JENNIFER BURNETT writers CSG Director, Fiscal and Economic Development Policy jburnett@csg.org

contributing SEAN SLONE writers CSG Director, Transportation and continued Infrastructure Policy sslone@csg.org

LESLIE HAYMON managing editor COURTNEY DANIEL CSG Policy Analyst

JEFF STOCKDALE

associate editors SHAWNTAYE HOPKINS

ELIZABETH WHITEHOUSE

cdaniel@csg.org shopkins@csg.org

LISA MCKINNEY lmckinney@csg.org

technical editor CHRIS PRYOR cpryor@csg.org

lhaymon@csg.org

ANDY KARELLAS

CSG Director, Federal Affairs akarellas@csg.org

DAN LOGSDON

cpryor@csg.org

CHAD YOUNG cyoung@csg.org

capitolideas@csg.org

website

capitolideas.csg.org

CSG Director, Education and Workforce Development ewhitehouse@csg.org

CSG Manager, National Center for Interstate Compacts dlogsdon@csg.org

graphic designers THERESA CARROLL tcarroll@csg.org CHRIS PRYOR

CSG Senior Policy Advisor jstockdale@csg.org

DEBRA MILLER

CSG Director, Health Policy dmiller@csg.org

DEVASHREE SAHA

CSG Director, Energy and Environmental Policy dsaha@csg.org

MATT SHAFER

CSG Policy Analyst matthew.shafer@csg.org

CAPITOL IDEAS, ISSN 2152-8489, JAN/FEB 2018, Vol. 61, No. 1—Published by The Council of State Governments, 1776 Avenue of the States, Lexington, KY 40511-8536. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Council of State Governments nor the views of the editorial staff. Readers’ comments are welcome. Subscription rates: in the U.S., $42 per year. Single issues are available at $7 per copy. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Capitol Ideas, Sales Department, The Council of State Governments, 1776 Avenue of the States, Lexington, KY 40511-8536. Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, Ky., and additional mailing offices. Mailing lists are available for rent upon approval of a sample mailing. Contact the sales department at (800) 800-1910. Copyright 2018 by The Council of State Governments. Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, Ky., and at additional mailing offices.

30 SFI-01681

Gov. Gary Herbert

UTAH CSG National President

Assemblyman Michael Benedetto

Sen. James Seward

David Adkins

Wendell M. Hannaford

Michael H. McCabe

KENTUCKY CSG National Chair

CSG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO dadkins@csg.org

NEW YORK CSG East Co-Chair

CSG EAST DIRECTOR whannaford@csg.org

NEW YORK CSG East Co-Chair

CSG MIDWEST DIRECTOR mmccabe@csg.org

Sen. Ed Charbonneau Senate Pres. Pro Tem INDIANA Ron Richard CSG Midwest Chair

Colleen Cousineau CSG SOUTH DIRECTOR fitzgerald@csg.org

MISSOURI CSG South Chair

Edgar Ruiz

CSG WEST DIRECTOR eruiz@csg.org

Sen. Stuart Adams UTAH CSG West Chair

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Senate President Robert Stivers

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

what’s happening at csg

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CSG?

CSG Expands Access to Online Publications

CSG 2018 Toll Fellowship Applications Now Available

CSG Shared State Legislation Submissions

CSG Releases Policy Reports at 2017 National Conference

The Toll Fellowship, named for CSG founder Henry Wolcott Toll, is one of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government officials. Each year, Toll Fellows brings 48 of the nation’s top officials from all three branches of state government to Lexington, Kentucky, for an intensive six-day, fivenight “leadership boot camp.” The program’s sessions are designed to stimulate personal assessment and growth, while providing priceless networking and relationship-building opportunities. The 2018 CSG Toll Fellowship will host 48 emerging state leaders from across the country Aug. 24–28 in Lexington, Kentucky. The deadline for applying is midnight Hawaiian Time on April 30. Visit csg.org/LeadershipCenter/Tolls for more information.

The Council of State Governments released four reports at the National Conference in December. Diabetes Funding in the United States surveyed 50 states to gain a better understanding on how state funds are appropriated for diabetes prevention and management. The State Civic Education Toolkit provides resources for stakeholders from all three branches of government to improve state civic education. The CSG Overseas Voting Initiative released two reports examining how to improve voting for overseas citizens. These reports can be found online at csg.org and at issuu.com/csg.publications.

From our bimonthly magazine, Capitol Ideas, to research and reports, you can now find all of CSG’s publications in one place online at issuu.com/csg. publications. This platform allows you to easily share CSG publications with your colleagues and constituents, and provides the capability to search key topics important to you. You can access all of CSG’s publications on this digital publishing platform without creating an account and you can easily post to your social media platforms using the built-in share functions.

The CSG Shared State Legislation, or SSL, Committee will convene its next meeting in Snowbird, Utah, on Sept. 11–15, 2018, in conjunction with the CSG West Annual Meeting, where it will consider a docket of proposed state legislation for inclusion in the SSL volume. All CSG members are encouraged to submit legislation for the docket. To be eligible, the legislation must have been enacted in at least one state and address a current state issue of national or regional significance; provide a benefit to bill drafters; and provide a clear, innovative and practical structure and approach. To submit a bill for consideration, please send the relevant information to ssl@csg.org by July 20.

CSG Adopts 10 New Policy Resolutions The Council of State Governments’ Executive Committee adopted 10 policy resolutions during the CSG 2017 National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, Dec. 16, including a Resolution on the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Resolution in Promoting Equity in Education, Resolution on Sale of Health Insurance Across State Lines, Resolution on Reauthorization of the Farm Bill, Resolution in Support of State Control of Occupational Licensing, and Resolution on Promoting Federal Support for State Skills and Apprenticeship Programs. All the resolutions are available on the CSG Knowledge Center.

they tweeted it

They Tweeted It Javier Martínez‫@ ‏‬JavierForNM • June 12 Proud to be selected as a 2017 Henry Toll Fellow with the Council of State Governments! I’ll be reppin’ New Mex along with @lizthomsonnm Ray Scott ‫@‏‬SCOTTFORCOLO • Aug 18 Attending the Council of State Governments energy symposium in Tacoma. New day for fossil fuels!

Nicole Cannizzaro @ Nicole4Nevada • Dec 15 Welcome to Nevada @CSGovts! Congratulations to my colleague @katkinson702 for his leadership and bringing this wonderful conference to Las Vegas! Sen. Randall Hardy‫‏‬ @SenRandallHardy • July 9 Attending Council of State Governments meeting in Des Moines. Excellent opportunity for learning and networking. #ksleg Jason Lewis @SenJasonLewis • July 6 Looking fwd to sharing best practices w/ policymakers & regional leaders via @CSGovts @CSG_ERC Health Cmte.

Jeremy Miller @jeremyrmiller • Dec 15 Participated in The Council of State Governments Hiring & Retaining Workers with Disabilities Policy Academy at the National Conference of @CSGovts. Great group of presenters!

Jack Williams @JackJeffco • Apr 26 Talking about autonomous vehicle policy with the Council of State Governments at the Statehouse this morning. #future

Steve Yeager @SteveYeagerNV • Dec 14 Welcome @CSGovts to fabulous Las Vegas. We are hard at work this morning in the Shared State Legislation Committee - considering whether to include bills passed around the country. #CSG2017 #CSG2017LasVegas

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Larry Jacobs @larryrjacobs • Aug 17 Hope for America lifted by Council of State Governments @CSGovts + BILLD. Great nonpartisan, non-profit organization

in the know

CHAMPIONING

he Council of State Governments’ mission to champion excellence in state government and support state leaders from across the nation has been the cornerstone of our work for over eight decades. Founded in 1933, CSG is the nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government.

Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problemsolving partnerships. CSG works first and foremost to advocate for the states in our federal system of government while maintaining a nonpartisan approach to policy. One of the most important aspects of CSG’s work is to convene leaders nationally and regionally to foster the exchange of ideas and offer leadership development opportunities. As part of its mission, CSG is committed to providing state leaders with objective insights and analysis on key issues. Each year, CSG convenes state policymakers to network, share best practices and discover new policy innovations during the CSG National Conference. In 2018, we will gather in Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati, where we’ll take on important policy issues facing the states, while building networks among state leaders from across the three branches and states and territories.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

The Council of State Governments is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. In August 2015, the 1969 headquarters building was rededicated after a major renovation. In 2016, CSG adopted a new address: 1776 Avenue of the States.

Part of what distinguishes CSG is its national scope paired with its regional focus. The CSG regional offices—located in Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Sacramento, California—offer an opportunity for state leaders to engage with their colleagues from neighboring states to address the issues specific to their region. CSG also has a federal affairs office in Washington, D.C., that works to provide state leaders a voice in Congress. You can find more information about our regional offices, the products and services they provide, and information about the regional annual meetings on pages 34–43 of this special issue of Capitol Ideas. CSG also partners with 10 national organizations of state leaders representing emergency management personnel, probation and parole officials and more. CSG Affiliates work in specialized areas and allow CSG to have a deeper impact nationwide. Together, these organizations advocate for state and local governments at the federal level, speaking with a collective voice to strengthen the critical role of states and to advance solutions to the challenges we share. You can read more about our affiliates on page 52 of this issue.

New times bring new needs

in government, as in all other affairs.” » The Council of State Governments’ Articles of Organization in 1933

It has never been a more exciting time—or a more challenging time— to be a state leader. Today’s state government leaders are pulled in many directions. They don’t have time to weed through hundreds of policy documents. That is why CSG is focused on offering relevant research and resources for state leaders covering topics such as diabetes funding, civic education in schools, engaging workers with disabilities, overseas voting protocol and more. CSG also publishes a member-focused policy magazine Capitol Ideas and a weekly e-newsletter The Current State. You can also find important information and events online at csg.org and through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Since the founding of our nation, states have served as “laboratories of democracy.” CSG is committed to strengthening the states and the critical role they play in shaping policy. We look forward to your engagement and to supporting your work to strengthen the states in 2018.

New Flexibility in Education on the Horizon

Moving Forward with Clean Energy

Working to Meet Evolving Workforce Needs

States Take an Active Roll in Federal Policy

Medicaid Waivers Bring Unprecedented Change

Political Uncertainty Stalls Trade Growth

E-Commerce Growth Impacts Infrastructure Needs Removing Barriers to Employment Farm Bill Reauthorization Looms in 2018

Top 5 Issues 2018 by John Mountjoy, CSG director of policy & research State leaders continue to demonstrate courage by not only exper imenting with new concepts, but standing behind bold policy ideas. Whether it is pension reform, tax relief, marijuana legalization, addressing the opioid epidemic, tackling immigration or better positioning their state’s workforce, states excel at being the laboratories of democracy and policy innovation. In this issue of Capitol Ideas, CSG policy experts pick the top five policy issues states are likely to face in 2018. From rural broadband to occupational licensure, and from technology and automation to the social determinants of health, the CSG team is constantly examining important issues facing state leaders today. Additional analyses and resources on these areas are available online in the CSG Knowledge Center and the CSG Capitol Comments blog—both accessible at knowledgecenter.csg.org. CSG policy experts at the national and regional levels stand ready to assist state leaders as they navigate the difficult challenges affecting states. Cutting-edge policy programs that share insights and analysis are the cornerstone of how CSG assists state leaders in better understanding.

Also in This Issue 20

My CSG.................................................................... 26 CSG Through the Decades.................................... 28

22 24

Meet Your CSG Leaders......................................... 30 Regional Roundup.................................................. 34 10 Questions: Sen. Robert Stivers........................ 44 Working across State Lines to Solve Problems.... 46 Learning to Lead with CSG.................................... 48 State Leaders Make New Year’s Resolutions....... 50

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

TOP 5 » EDUCATION

New Flexibility in Education on the Horizon

by Elizabeth Whitehouse Collaboration and innovation are at the forefront of the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA, plans approved by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. ESSA is a bipartisan measure, signed into law on Dec. 10, 2015, and attempts to provide states with more collaboration and flexibility to serve their students, teachers and communities. With the latest plan approvals, the emerging theme is one of innovation and collaboration among the states, further empowering their educational futures and decision-making authority. “I’m heartened to see how the states have embraced the spirit of flexibility

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Early Education & Economic Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 34 million families in the U.S. have children under age 18. High-quality early care and education programs are critical to building a knowledgeable and trained workforce, but affordability and access to these programs also creates barriers for parents and guardians to participate in the workforce. Many states have recognized the importance of high-quality early learning programs and have upped investments in the recent years, but now the federal government is taking notice too. The Trump administration has committed to lowering the cost of child care for families. In 2018, many state leaders will be eager to build on the Trump administration’s commitment.

top5 | education under ESSA to improve education for individual students,” said DeVos in an August press release. Replacing the controversial No Child Left Behind law, ESSA reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA, and is the product of bipartisan efforts in Congress to give states greater control of accountability and academic standards. It had been 13 years since Congress approved the reauthorization of ESEA in 2002. The bill originally passed in 1965, designed by President Lyndon Johnson to address student achievement gaps and fund elementary and secondary education. The ESSA is a comprehensive piece of federal legislation on the funding and policy for early childhood through high school and serves as the guidebook for programmatic requirements, funding and accountability systems for states. Empowered with the new flexibility, states are leading the way in education innovation through their state plans. Delaware was the first state to submit an ESSA plan and the first state to be approved. Delaware Secretary of Education Susan Bunting praised the work of the education policymakers in developing the plan.

Apprenticeship Programs Open Pathways to Success

Equity in Education There are many obstacles to ensuring that all students receive the resources they need to graduate prepared for success after high school. From teacher qualifications to safe and secure classroom facilities, there are many aspects of a student’s educational experience that impact how a child learns. The Center for Public Education recommends that state leaders who want to move the needle on education equity examine performances by school and student demographics, the level of curriculum across schools, and teacher qualifications. While these will all be important factors in closing the education equity gap, there is no doubt that funding is also a major factor. In the coming years, there will be an opportunity for states to look at how they allocate funds to school districts to help ensure equal learning opportunities for all.

In the upcoming year states will be focused on implementing state plans and reviewing what works and learning from challenges that arise. CSG will continue to provide a forum for state leaders to discuss ESSA implementation and will provide research and analysis on what states are doing and how they meet the needs of their students.

College and Career Readiness College and career readiness has been a focus of state leaders for many years. While there have been moderate gains, there is still much work to be done, especially among underserved students. A report, Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the United States, found there is a 37 percentage-point gap in college enrollment rates for students in the bottom and top family income groups. While the Every Student Succeeds Act will give states new flexibility to implement college and career readiness strategies, there are many contributing factors that state leaders can look at to increase college readiness, including high-quality early learning opportunities for young children and increased funding for lower performing schools.

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There has been a renewed focus among state leaders on alternative models to preparing young people for successful careers. Apprenticeship programs—most of which now include classroom instruction as well as training—provide more pathways to jobs and allow businesses to create a custom-trained workforce. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average wage for a proficient worker who has completed an apprenticeship program is approximately $60,000 annually. The Trump administration has made creating new jobs one of his top priorities. With this focus on jobs, 2018 will be an important year for states looking to increase the number of skilled workers in high-paying jobs.

“Delaware worked together to create a very thoughtful and effective plan, and we appreciate that USED sees the value in how we’ve designed our systems to improve student outcomes,” Bunting said in an August press release. “Now the harder work begins as we continue to work across agencies and with stakeholders to support our districts and charter schools as they focus on implementing Delaware’s ESSA plan to benefit our students.” State education policy leaders have been thoughtful in the creation of the new ESSA plans ensuring that the accountability systems meet the needs of each state. Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas remarked on how the plan was developed to meet the individual needs of the state. “I am most thankful for the thousands of comments we have received from parents, teachers, administrators, stakeholder groups, community members and elected officials that truly helped make this a plan for all of Arizona,” Douglas said in a November press release. “This is a plan made by Arizona—for Arizona—that would be ideal with or without ESSA.”

TOP 5 » ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Moving Forward with Clean Energy Despite Federal Inaction

by Devashree Saha During a meeting with world leaders gathered for the United Nation’s annual General Assembly, the Trump administration reiterated the president’s plan to withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement. That step, however, seems unlikely to stall the push to adopt cleaner forms of energy. In the absence of federal action to support the transition to a clean energy future, several states are moving ahead with ambitious clean energy policies of their own. In fact, the past year has seen remarkable clean energy progress in a number of states, both Democrat- and Republican-led states. Hailed as one of the

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Planning for a Distributed Energy Future

Rapid improvements in advanced energy technologies and an influx of distributed energy resources, or DERs, such as solar PV, energy efficiency, demand response, combined heat and power, energy storage, fuel cells, and electric vehicles, have led states to plan for DER growth and ensure that the capabilities of DERs are fully utilized. DERs increasingly offer a cost-competitive alternative to transmission-dependent conventional generation. While a few states, including California, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York and Rhode Island, have been busy on this front, other states are expected to get into the game in 2018.

top 5 | energy & environment most significant pieces of state energy legislation passed in the United States in decades, Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act passed with strong bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner. The legislation will pivot Illinois to the clean economy by growing renewable energy resources and significantly expanding energy efficiency programs in the state. It will kick-start 3,000 megawatts of new solar development and 1,300 megawatts of new wind power—to power nearly a million homes by 2030. It also requires ComEd to achieve a 21.5 percent reduction and Ameren to achieve a 16 percent reduction in energy use by 2030, in addition to requiring $25 million per year to be spent on programs to help low-income homes become more efficient. Similarly, Michigan passed a landmark bill enhancing the state’s renewable and energy efficiency standards. Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement, “We now have a statewide energy policy that will save Michigan residents millions of dollars on their electric bills, alleviate concerns about having enough capacity to power the daily activities of 10 million people and find new ways to use our existing energy grid more efficiently.”

Pricing and Affordability of Water Services

to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2040. Oregon will phase out coal-fired power in the state by 2035 and have half of its electricity come from renewable sources by 2040. States with diverse economies and energy portfolios, including California, Illinois, Michigan and Vermont, are embracing the jobs and economic development opportunities that come with clean energy investments. A 2017 study by the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the Information Technology Industry Council found that states that are investing in clean domestic energy production are the most likely to attract businesses, creating thousands of jobs in their communities. For instance, Iowa has tapped into its abundant wind energy resources to attract large corporate buyers such as Google and Facebook with utility green tariffs and thirdparty power purchase agreements. With renewable energy costs getting cheaper and unprecedented business support for climate action and clean energy, we expect states to continue to advance initiatives that reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Net Metering and Value of Solar

Planning for Natural Disasters

Net metering—a policy that allows rooftop solar customers to receive a credit on their electric bill for any excess energy they provide to the electric grid—is perhaps the most familiar solar policy nationwide. In 2017, key regulatory decisions in Maine and Indiana rolled back retail-rate net metering. Retail net metering has been criticized by utilities over “cost shift” arguments—rooftop solar customers not paying their fair share to maintain the grid. On the other hand, solar advocates say the rooftop systems provide grid benefits that utilities and regulators fail to recognize. That has opened up debates across states over the value of solar, which are expected to continue into 2018.

Billion dollar natural disasters are becoming more common in the United States, with catastrophes of this magnitude impacting all 50 states since 1980. The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria this year is going to force states to rethink their natural disaster preparedness and planning efforts going forward. Every five years states are required to update their hazard mitigation plans and submit them to FEMA for approval. In 2015, FEMA put in place a requirement for states to begin factoring future conditions into their hazard mitigation plans. In 2018, 32 states will update their hazard mitigation plans to comply with FEMA’s updated guidelines. Fourteen others will do so in 2019.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Concern about water affordability has been spreading among states, and with good reason. The water infrastructure is aging, there is more water contamination and climate change is making water supplies less reliable. At the same time, because water demand is stable or even dropping due to conservation efforts, water agencies can find revenue to cover the bill only by raising rates on consumption. The result is that there is an inexorable rise in water rates. Finding ways to effectively price water services to fully cover costs, and ensure affordability and access for vulnerable households will be an ongoing challenge for states in 2018.

In response to the U.S. federal government’s decision to withdraw the country from the Paris climate agreement, a group of 14 states plus Puerto Rico formed the U.S. Climate Alliance to coordinate state action toward the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris agreement. In joining the alliance, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced, “Growing our economy and protecting our environment by supporting cleaner and more affordable energy and transportation choices can go together. If our national government isn’t willing to lead in this area, the states are prepared to step up and lead.” To emphasize that their combined actions are making a difference, the governors released a report that shows collective greenhouse gas emissions of the 14 alliance states decreased by 15 percent between 2005 and 2015. With policies already in place, they are projected to cut emissions 24 to 29 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. The states in the alliance have committed to a variety of actions in pursuit of their goals. California has committed to get 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and

by Jennifer Burnett

TOP 5 » FISCAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Working to Meet Evolving Workforce Needs

Technology impacts every part of our lives and our economy—and it is drastically transforming the workforce and labor markets. From automation to a shift to remote workers and freelancers, the labor force is changing and evolving at a breathtaking pace. New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman calls this an “age of acceleration” where the growth of technology is on an exponential curve. “Every middle-class job today is being pulled up, out or down faster than ever. That is, it either requires more skill or can be done by more people around the world or is being buried—made obso-

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Health Care Costs

Health care costs continue to dominate state budgets and changes at the federal level have the potential to shift costs and destabilize state budgets on a massive scale. Medicaid has consistently risen as a percentage of total state spending in recent years, reaching an estimated 29 percent in fiscal year 2016. As the federal government wrestles with changes to the Affordable Care Act and other major health care and health insurance programs, state leaders will be watching closely.

top 5 | fiscal & economic development lete—faster than ever,” Freidman wrote in his column. This clearly will affect how states prepare the workforce of tomorrow and how they support existing businesses as they transition. While the immediate and long-term effect of these trends on occupational shifts and employment may be unclear, Robert Atkinson, economist and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, said states have a clear path forward: investment in education and workforce training programs. “Our current higher education system is not really working very well. For example, only 40 percent of college seniors are fully considered literate right now,” said Atkinson. “I think the single most important thing that states can do would be to begin to enable disruption in higher education,” said Atkinson. “I think really taking higher education and getting it more focused on cost reduction and on quality is key.” According to Atkinson, our higher education system in general has not been responsive enough to the new realities of the labor market. “And that’s a challenge,” he said.

According to Ted Townsend, vice chair of the CSG Fiscal and Economic Development Policy Committee and deputy commissioner and chief operating officer for Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development, workforce availability and qualification is increasingly becoming a challenge for the private sector, but his state is making progress. “Our department alone has partnered with companies to announce over 148,000 net new jobs during Gov. Haslam’s administration backed by $29 billion,” said Townsend. “This has placed an incredible amount of momentum to deliver on that demand.” “Tennessee has been addressing this opportunity by becoming fully aligned with the private sector and delivering policy and investments in education and training,” he added. “TN Promise and TN Reconnect are allowing for every Tennessean to have access to pursuing post-secondary attainment.” TN Reconnect is Gov. Bill Haslam’s initiative to help more of Tennessee’s adults enter higher education to gain new skills and advance in the workplace. TN Promise is both a scholarship and

mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students who attend college in the state. It provides students a scholarship that will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology or other eligible institution offering an associate degree program. Townsend cites a recent PwC report, which found that automated robots could take 38 percent of jobs in the U.S. by 2030. “This is inherently forcing people to look for more opportunities to gain retraining for these increasingly advanced jobs,” said Townsend. Automation can mean companies commit to fewer jobs per project, according to Townsend, “but there is still a robust pipeline of future projects requiring a highly skilled workforce.” Atkinson’s ultimate message is this: “Don’t panic. Take truck drivers for example, it can take a long, long time for autonomous trucks to fully deploy. The shift won’t be completely catastrophic and overnight.”

Federal Fiscal and Regulatory Decisions

Investments in Infrastructure

Though states have been hard at work reforming public employee pension systems and looking for a path to fiscal stability for more than a decade, these systems are still a major concern and will continue to be in 2018. The pension gap—the gap between the total assets a pension system reports and the value of the benefits promised to workers—is still increasing and hit $1.1 trillion in fiscal year 2015. Early reports of the most recent data show that the average funding ratio fell to 71.1 percent in 2016, down from 74.5 percent in 2015 and 75.6 percent in 2014.

Federal fiscal decisions have a huge impact on state budgets: About one out of every three dollars of state revenue comes from the federal government. Additionally, federal fiscal decisions can infuse a state economy with money, or drain it. In 2015, federal spending made up 19 percent of state economic activity, or gross domestic product. In five states—Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico, Virginia and West Virginia—federal spending was 30 percent or more of GDP. Major changes are being considered in Washington, such as significant changes to the tax code—including the deductibility of state and local taxes— all of which would have a direct and significant impact on states.

When we think of our nation’s aging infrastructure, we tend to think of it from a public safety angle—potholes, structurally unsound bridges—as well as the trillions of investment dollars needed to fill the funding gap. But deteriorating infrastructure also appreciably affects economic development, and thus a state’s bottom line. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, if the infrastructure investment gap is not addressed by 2025, the economy is expected to lose almost $4 trillion in GDP, resulting in a loss of 2.5 million jobs in 2025. Without major movement in Congress toward a comprehensive infrastructure bill, states will be increasingly forced to look for ways to address these gaps themselves.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Public Employee Retirement

TOP 5 » FEDERAL AFFAIRS

States Take an Active Role in Federal Policy

by Jeff Stockdale & Leslie Haymon The states, Congress, and the new administration have continued their renewed interest in the state-federal relationship, especially looking for pioneering ways to encourage policy innovation within and among the states. This renewed interest has taken shape in Congress in the form a task force dedicated to improving intergovernmental affairs and a new subcommittee within the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The need for cooperation between federal agencies implementing legislation and the states who execute those programs

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Health Care Reform

The futures of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid funding, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program are all uncertain. Despite dogged efforts, House and Senate Republicans have not yet found their preferred replacement for the Affordable Care Act. Many of the state individual markets are actuarially unsound and with rising premiums and fewer insurers participating. Some states have looked to a reinsurance model to offset the cost of those individuals who are sicker and therefore more expensive. Layered within this complex landscape are concerns about the Children’s Health Insurance Program. This program covers nearly 9 million children nationwide and without federal funding many states will be forced to disenroll beneficiaries or find funding elsewhere in their already tight budgets.

top 5 | federal affairs

day-to-day is clear. However, the relationship between the two has often been strained and varies significantly depending on which federal agency is involved. “States rely on the return of our constituents’ federal tax dollars to pay for the vital programs that protect our people,” said Rep. Bob Godfrey, deputy speaker pro tempore of the Connecticut House of Representatives and co-chair of the CSG Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. Adopting policies of constructive engagement is crucial to the ability of states and the federal government to provide citizens with services. Many states are looking at ways, formal and informal, to build and improve on the consultation process. CSG and the Western Governors’ Association are working on concrete proposals that will further cultivate the atmosphere of collaboration necessary for successful federalism. Building on CSG’s Statement of Principles on Federalism, a set of concrete proposals have emerged that would improve the communica-

tion and interaction between states and federal agencies. This includes requiring a minimum time period for pre-consultation on proposed rules of 120 days and a lowering of the cost threshold for consultation to $50 million. Also recommended were the creation of standardized contact lists and expanded communication options. “An active and lively federalism requires greater interaction and cooperation between federal regulators and states to assure local needs and goals are met rather than frustrated,” said Tennessee state Sen. Doug Overbey, co-chair of the CSG Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. In Congress, the House has taken the lead on addressing the federalism concerns of states. The task force and the new Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Affairs have heard from experts and state officials on the promises and pitfalls of working with the federal government. Potential legislation may include a bill that would re-establish the Advisory Commission

on Intergovernmental Relations or ACIR. ACIR provided an essential communications and policymaking conduit to the federal executive branch for state and local governments. The re-establishment of the ACIR is unlikely in the near term, but states and federal agencies are likely to continue to seek improved relations and more functional partnerships.

Tax Reform

Regulatory Reform

Despite one party controlling both the presidency and both congressional chambers, the budget and appropriations process continues to falter. Each year, 12 appropriations bills must make it through both the House and Senate and to the president before Sept. 30 to ensure a government shutdown does not occur. This has not happened since 1996 and no appropriations bill has been enacted on time since 2009. The trend shows no sign of ending, creating serious consequences for states relying on federal funding for important services. A deal reached in early September 2017 extended funding authorization through December and raised the debt limit, but a new continuing resolution or omnibus appropriations bill will be necessary soon.

Tax reform has been a top priority for the president and Congress. Among the most important issues for state leaders to emerge from this framework is the elimination of the State and Local Tax Deduction. This deduction allows taxpayers to deduct the amount they pay in state and local taxes, including property tax, from their federal tax burden. Retaining this deduction, as well as ensuring the continued exemption of municipal bonds from federal taxation is a top priority for state and local governments. Although it is far from clear whether tax reform will occur in 2018, the loss of the deduction may require states to consider alternative funding mechanisms or cuts to services. Along with the fiscal uncertainty caused by the federal appropriations process, many states could be put in a serious fiscal bind.

The administration and Congress have signaled their desire to remake the rulemaking process and regulatory framework. This may include both legislative efforts as well as changes to internal agency policies. The president has directed agencies to appoint a regulatory reform officer to oversee agency efforts to cut back at the burden of complying with federal regulations. Many agencies are seeking closer and more cooperative relationships with the state officials and agencies tasked with administering their programs. Efforts to better use the various advisory commissions set up within the departments are underway. Identifying and connecting potential members from a range of geographic and experiential backgrounds ensures a variety of viewpoints are heard as agencies formulate their regulations.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Fiscal Uncertainty

by Debra Miller

TOP 5 » HEALTH

Medicaid Waivers Bring Unprecedented Change

After a year of suspense over whether the Affordable Care Act would be repealed and replaced and how that would affect states’ Medicaid programs, state leaders now can turn their attention to making improvements in their Medicaid programs that address political and fiscal pressures that haven’t gone away. “The bandwidth at both the federal and state levels has been completely taken up with the debates over repeal and replace,” said Matt Salo, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. He also said he expected states that have not expanded Medicaid

Rural Health Care

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

The adequacy of health care in rural areas continues to be a critical issue in numbers of states. Small critical care hospitals in rural areas are closing even as states experiment with alternative models for emergency and acute care. Telehealth services promise to bring technological solutions to the provider shortage, but payment and licensing issues remain barriers.

top 5 | health

eligibility to consider it in the coming months and years. “We are expecting activities around waiver requests to pick up now after the lull of this summer,” said MaryBeth Musumeci, an associate director at the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured for the Kaiser Family Foundation. She said that as Congress was considering bills to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, certain issues addressed in states’ waiver requests could have been mooted. States can submit waiver requests to the federal government to make changes in how their Medicaid programs operate. Section 1115 waivers allow states to experiment with services, payment reforms and other changes that otherwise might not be allowed under Medicaid law, so long as a state can show federal funding obligations will not increase. Currently pending before the Department of Health and Human Services are 21 waivers from 18 states, Musumeci said. The pending waivers address several issues. The most attention is

around Medicaid expansion as some states seek to change the programs they already have in place. In nonexpansion states, the waivers address work requirements, premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses for the traditional Medicaid populations. “There is a spike in waivers seeking to expand behavioral health services and eligibility, especially from states hard-hit by the opioid epidemic,” Musumeci said. States, consistent with guidance recently issued by the federal government, are asking to use Medicaid funding for care in inpatient psychiatric institutions while at the same time building out a continuum of care that includes community-based options. Some state waivers would expand managed care to long-term care populations of seniors and those with disabilities as well as increase community-based care. “The real sea change that we are watching is the waivers that would condition eligibility for Medicaid on work,” Musumeci said. “It would

Aging

Since 1999, overdose deaths involving opioids—including prescription opioids and heroin—have quadrupled and now account for six out of every 10 overdose deaths. Current estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. States are increasingly looking to treatment, law enforcement and prevention policies to build a complete system of solutions to this complex issue. Every segment of the health care system has a role to play to reduce opioid addiction and abuse.

America is graying. The number of people 65 or older currently totals 50 million, more than the combined population of the 25 states with the smallest populations. States will be challenged to meet the long-term care expenses of seniors, which are not covered by Medicare. The increasing numbers of seniors who are impacted by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as both caregivers and patients, will further strain the health care system. Health care providers, too, are aging, presenting education and training challenges to the health care system.

Social Determinants of Health While state policymakers are seldom afforded the luxury of looking upstream at the causes and prevention of current health problems, the public health concept of social determinants of health suggests that lens is important in policymaking. The social determinants of health are defined as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at the national, state and local levels. Social determinants of health contribute twice as much to a population’s health status—40 percent—than access and quality of health services—20 percent. The other major contributions are risk factors, 30 percent, and environment, 10 percent.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Opioid Epidemic

be the first time ever in the 50-year history of Medicaid.” On Jan. 12, 2018, just one day after the Trump administration issued written guidance that they support state efforts to require work or work-related activities for able-bodied, working-age Medicaid enrollees, Kentucky became the first state to receive federal approval to implement work requirements. Nine other states have pending requests for federal approval of work-related requirements. Robert Kerr, a former Medicaid director in South Carolina who now works as a consultant for health care providers, said the challenge for Medicaid is bigger than waivers that work around the edges of the health care system. “Ninety-five cents of every health care dollar treat diseases after they occur. Seventy-five percent of all health care spending goes to treating preventable chronic diseases. Only three percent of health expenditures are put toward preventive care,” Kerr said. “Medicaid is no different.”

TOP 5 Âť INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Political Uncertainty Stalls Trade Growth

by Leslie Haymon & Andy Karellas International trade remains a divisive topic globally as nations grapple with anti-trade sentiments from voters. President Donald Trump has announced an America First trade policy. Negotiations continue between the United Kingdom and the European Union, with talks expected to extend through 2019. Around the Pacific Rim, the withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership has reverberated as nations look to alternative trade arrangements. A continued pivot away from broad, multi-party free trade agreements holds sub-

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Global Health

Global pandemics and health threats pose continuing challenges to states. It is likely that in 2018, states will confront, again, the potential hazards of pandemic disease. Ebola virus and Zika virus outbreaks in 2014 and 2016 strained state health resources and required agencies to dust off pandemic containment strategies. Even common, but still dangerous, diseases like measles have re-emerged in recent years, placing state governments in a disease management role. International air travel places more people than ever at risk for exposure. Effective planning and collaboration with local and federal agencies and officials will be critical to disease management.

top 5 | international affairs

stantial risk for states that have trade-oriented economies. Despite rising global growth and increases in wages and productivity, many still feel that the prevailing neoliberal economic system of the last three decades has been a net loss. This rise in anti-trade sentiment could have a significant impact on state economies. In 2016, foreign direct investment, or FDI, into the United States declined slightly, despite remaining the number one destination for FDI globally. International consumers are still attracted to American goods and services. However, shifting markets, political uncertainty, and consumer preferences may act as a brake on continued growth. “At the end of the day, American products are well regarded around the world, and foreign companies want those products,” said David Mathe, export trade director for the state of Delaware and current SIDO president, when asked about the possible renegotiation of NAFTA and other trade agreements. “The U.S. business is focused on finding those markets and building

those business relationships. They want to leave the politics to the politicians.” The U.S. formally began the process to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, on Aug. 16, 2017. The renegotiation process is expected to take several months or years. There is significant daylight between the three parties and it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached in 2018. Among the most contentious elements are the Section 19 dispute resolution panels, a key factor in the U.S. Canadian softwood lumber dispute, and how to address digital services, including sales. “The North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect almost 25 years ago and needs to be updated to reflect new issues and technologies that have emerged since that time,” said Robert Hamilton, the advisor for trade policy for Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. “Of paramount importance are rules governing trade over the internet, provisions that ensure the state-owned enterprises compete on a commercial basis without government support, and

stronger enforceable labor and environmental provisions.” Hamilton also serves as the chair of the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade within the Office of the United States Trade Representative, or USTR. This is the primary advisory committee responsible for providing policy advice on trade policy matters to USTR on behalf of state and local governments. Trump has also signaled his concern with other U.S. trade partners, including those with Germany and South Korea. These two nations are major trading partners, generating $166.9 billion in trade in 2016. Overall, it is impossible to predict what specific actions the administration may take. As the contours of an America First trade policy begin to emerge at the federal level, state trade officials are continuing to make inroads at setting their own trade priorities.

Immigration

Global Conflicts

International and national security issues will continue to intrude on state policymaking over the coming year. Cybersecurity intrusions on state networks are likely to increase, bringing risks to critical infrastructure, personally identifiable information, and election systems. Conflict continues to blaze in the Middle East and potential confrontation with North Korea may loom. The Senate considered but ultimately did not vote on an amendment calling for a new round of military base realignment and closures or BRAC. The Defense Department has pushed for a new round of BRAC for several years. Military bases act as significant economic drivers and a new round of BRAC could exact a significant cost. Expect additional discussion of trimming the department’s inventory of real property in 2018.

President Trump and the Republican-held Congress are attempting to bridge the divide on immigration, especially the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program. A shift in federal immigration policy could have a substantial impact on state governments. Reducing or rescinding federal transfers to states and localities that do not participate in immigration enforcement, so-called sanctuary cities, has been repeatedly floated by policymakers; however, federal courts have ruled that specific Congressional intent is required before the attorney general or others can rescind federal money. A reduction in legal immigration levels could have a serious workforce impact. A lack of service and farm workers have been reported in states as diverse as California, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah, raising workforce and economic concerns.

The international security picture remains unsettled as conflicts throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East continue to flare. Non-state actors, including criminal gangs and terrorist groups, have demonstrated increasing competence and capability to strike far beyond their home ranges. Continued fighting in Burma, Sudan, and Yemen and famine in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Somalia have the potential to enhance the push factors and exacerbate the global refugee crisis. States, which provide much of the support required for resettled persons, may be confronted with increased refugee flows, requiring additional services and funding. However, it is unclear how many refugees may be admitted. Resettlement of refugees and prevention of crime and terrorism will continue to consume state public safety officials.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

National Security

TOP 5 » TRANSPORTATION

E-Commerce Growth Impacts Infrastructure Needs

by Sean Slone Separated by a river, Indiana and Kentucky are two states at the forefront of logistics and distribution, a growing sector of the economy that is reliant on infrastructure and that in the years ahead will challenge policymakers. “UPS and Amazon and DHL have all located (logistics facilities) in Kentucky because we’re within (a day’s drive of) 60 percent of the population of the U.S.,” said Kentucky state Sen. Ernie Harris. “Plus, we’ve got the great airports (in Louisville and Northern Kentucky) and the rail and the highways to support logistics.” Harris, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee and

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Emerging Transportation Technologies

In 2017, 12 states approved self-driving vehicle-related legislation including measures to allow truck platooning and identify an agency to oversee testing and pre-empt local regulation. As the year wound down, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a streamlined version of policy guidance on automated driving systems and Congress was debating federal legislation that could pre-empt state authority in some areas. The growing use of drones in a variety of capacities also attracted the interest of states with 23 pieces of legislation enacted in 17 states.

top 5 | transportation serves on the Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee, said the growth in the sector can be traced in part to a sea change in consumer behavior. “E-commerce has caused a tremendous change in our shopping habits,” he said. “It seems like every few months you hear of another brick-and-mortar retailer that is closing stores here and there and e-commerce has got to be the (cause) of that.” But logistics in Kentucky is about much more than package delivery. The industry also works in close partnership with another important economic sector—automobile manufacturing. Harris said the commonwealth has gone to great lengths to make sure that suppliers can get their materials to in-state manufacturers such as Toyota and General Motors on well-maintained roads. That allows the manufacturers to minimize their inventories and have “just-in-time” delivery of parts. Kentucky lawmakers also passed legislation in 2017 that allows overweight trucks on roads if they’re hauling aluminum, Harris noted.

Harris calls the city of Prospect, Kentucky, home, where one of two new Ohio River bridge crossings opened in 2016. “The East End Bridge has opened up 6,000 acres of southern Indiana for development and that is significant,” Harris said. Much of that activity is centered around the River Ridge Commerce Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where Amazon and lesser-known companies such as auto suppliers Autoneum and Tenneco have built large warehouses that employ more than 5,700 workers. In addition to partnering with Kentucky to build the new bridge, the state of Indiana invested more than $40 million in road improvements in the area. In 2016—before the bridge even opened to traffic—the site reported an economic impact of $1.7 billion. Indiana also appears well-positioned to continue making infrastructure investments that could allow the logistics sector to continue to grow, according to David Holt, vice president of operations and business development for Conexus Indiana, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that puts together an annual manufacturing and logistics report card.

“The General Assembly … passed a long-term highway funding bill (in 2017) that produces $1.2 billion on average per year over the next 20 years in additional revenue,” he said. The legislation increased the state’s gas tax by 10 cents, raised registration fees and enacted a fee on hybrid and electric vehicles. States like Indiana also want to make sure they have the kind of workforce the logistics industry needs now and will need for the future, Holt said. Two of the top three most-needed jobs in Indiana right now are truck driver and maintenance technician in a warehouse logistics facility. Those jobs are likely to become more high-tech in the years ahead. Conexus Indiana has partnered with the state to provide education and outreach programs to support the logistics and manufacturing sectors, including a program that is helping students receive two-year degrees while still in high school. Rollie Helmling, senior vice president for global industry and trade development at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, said Conexus is “getting the message out that people can make a good living in that industry.”

Transportation Funding Solutions

Changing Federal & Private-Sector Roles

In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation’s infrastructure an overall grade of D+ in their every-four-years Infrastructure Report Card. Key infrastructure categories including aviation, dams, drinking water, inland waterways, levees, roads and transit all received individual grades of D or lower. ASCE said the nation’s infrastructure can be improved and restored but only with “strategic, sustained investment, bold leadership, thoughtful planning, and careful preparation for the needs of the future.” The devastating hurricanes of 2017 brought into stark relief the importance of planning and preparation to ensuring a more resilient infrastructure for the future.

Seven states—California, Indiana, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia—raised gas taxes in 2017 while Utah modified its gas tax formula to allow for more robust revenue growth. Other states approved one-time transportation funding. Wyoming increased vehicle registration and other fees. Ten states approved new fees for electric and/or hybrid vehicles. States including California, Oregon and Washington continued experiments with mileage-based user fees, which some believe could one day replace gas taxes. Will 2018 continue to see state activity on the state funding front and how will a change in philosophy from Washington influence states?

Infrastructure investment was expected to be a key policy goal of the Trump administration. While the administration had yet to produce a complete infrastructure plan as of mid-November 2017, details of the administration’s priorities that have emerged suggested an emphasis on more targeted federal investments, the use of federal dollars to encourage states that help themselves by seeking additional transportation revenues and an effort to leverage private-sector investment. In late September, the president appeared to sour on how big a role public-private partnerships, or P3s, could play in a federal investment package, but many believe P3s could play a significant role in facilitating some infrastructure projects.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Condition of U.S. Infrastructure

TOP 5 Âť WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Removing Barriers to Employment

by Matt Shafer Over the last 60 years, the number of jobs requiring an occupational license has grown from about one in 20 to more than one in four. When implemented properly, occupational licensing helps protect the health and safety of consumers by requiring practitioners to undergo a designated amount of training and education in their field. However, licensing requirements often vary dramatically across state lines, meaning that licensed individuals seeking to move to another state often face procedural hurdles, such as paperwork, fees and additional training. These disparities in licensing laws create barriers for those

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Drug Abuse

A narrative exists that says companies canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find enough skilled workers, and hundreds of thousands of jobs are going unfilled due to lack of education and training. However, research is beginning to show that drugs may be more of a factor than lack of skill. The opioid epidemic is hitting the economy in ways that are beginning to be acknowledged by policymakers and other experts. The Trump administration is promising to bring back manufacturing jobs to the states, but who will fill these positions if prime aged workers are unable to pass a drug screening?

top 5 | workforce development

looking to enter the labor market and make it harder for workers to relocate across state lines. Certain populations—including military families, immigrants with work authorization, people with criminal records, and unemployed and dislocated workers—are affected disproportionally by the requirements and variances of occupational licensing. A 2015 study by the Brookings Institution found there were “far more cases” in which licensing reduced employment than ones where it improved the quality and safety of services. These restrictions have resulted in 2.8 million fewer jobs nationally and raised consumer costs by $203 billion annually. State policymakers play an important role in setting licensure policy and are at the heart of many efforts to strike the right balance between protecting consumers and promoting economic growth and opportunity. Policymakers are enacting a wide range of strategies to calibrate their regulations to meet the needs of today’s consumers, workers, employers and job markets.

CSG 2018 Chair-Elect Helene Keeley, a state representative from Delaware, said, “At a time when states are striving to make themselves more attractive to working families, we must continue to tear down barriers that might prevent people from locating and working here. We need to provide them with the ability to seek and gain employment. In many cases, that involves helping skilled workers transfer their licenses from one state to another.” The current political landscape around occupational licensing reform is one of bipartisan support. In 2017, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta told state lawmakers to get serious about repealing anticompetitive licensing practices. Two years prior, the Obama administration released a call to action report of best practices for state policymakers. The report concluded that when designed and implemented carefully, licensing can benefit consumers through higher- quality services and improved health and safety standards. However, current licensure rules are too often inconsistent, inefficient and arbitrary.

WIOA Implementation

For decades, the retirement of the baby boom generation has been a looming workforce threat. Labor force participation trends in people 65 or older signals that the threat is no longer looming—it has arrived. The number of Americans aged 65 or older without a disability that aren’t in the labor force rose by 800,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016. Retiring baby boomers are vacating jobs faster than young workers can replace them, especially in occupations that employ a large number of baby boomers, such as the skilled trades, manufacturing and health care. These trends could have profound consequences on the American workforce and economy.

States are re-engineering their workforce development systems because of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA. WIOA core programs include the federally funded adult dislocated worker program, youth services program, adult education and literacy program, and rehabilitation services program. WIOA provides a framework and direction for state governments to align their workforce and education systems to meet employment challenges. States are developing strategic plans for implementing these programs through extensive interdepartmental collaboration between workforce development, education, labor and human services.

Return to Work/Stay at Work Millions of American workers exit the workforce each year due to injury or illness. Hundreds of thousands of these workers go on to receive state or federal disability benefits. Many injured workers might be able to stay in their jobs if they received timely, effective help. Return-towork programs aim to get injured workers back to productivity as soon as possible during their recovery process. Keeping these workers engaged in gainful employment leads to fewer individuals receiving disability benefits. Disability insurance benefits are an important protection for workers with serious long-term or permanent disabilities, but they should not be the only option for those with disabilities.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Aging Workforce

The Department of Labor recently made available the first ever federally funded occupational licensing reform grant. In 2017, CSG was a recipient of that grant along with the National Conference of State Legislatures and National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. The organizations were awarded $7.5 million to work with a consortium of states to design and implement approaches that enhance the portability of licenses across states and reduce overly burdensome licensing restrictions. Among the states chosen for consortium is Wisconsin. “Wisconsin is concerned that our current occupational licensing is inadequate to address public safety without inhibiting services, providers and entrepreneurs,” said Wisconsin state Rep. Joan Ballweg, 2018 CSG vice chair. “We appreciate CSG’s commitment to aid our efforts in a collaborative forum.” CSG is proud to be a part of the three-year project that is looking for policy solutions to these complex problems.

TOP 5 » RURAL/AGRICULTURE

Farm Bill Reauthorization Looms in 2018

by Leslie Haymon Every five years, Congress takes a comprehensive look at America’s rural economy. Although colloquially known as the farm bill, this legislation is a broad and deep policy document addressing the fundamental needs of America’s rural and agricultural economies. Congress will undertake this process again in 2018. The farm bill has steadily grown in scope over the recent decades and now includes titles running the gamut of agricultural and rural development issues, from domestic and international food aid to farm commodity support and agricultural conservation programs. However, falling prices and large harvests have been undercutting

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Rural Broadband Access

The need to improve and expand the rural internet infrastructure is a rare point of bipartisan consensus in Congress. Senate Democrats rolled out their targeted rural agenda in September 2017, with expanded rural broadband as a cornerstone. Pointing to rural electrification as a model, their proposal encourages inclusion of broadband in any large infrastructure package, as well as continued support for the Federal Communication Commission’s universal service fund, which provides subsidies to expand telecommunications services. The farm bill may include additional or expanded grants and loans for providers to expand broadband access into rural or underserved areas.

top 5 | rural/agriculture the farm economy since 2014, particularly in the dairy and cotton industries. The 2014 bill enacted several substantial changes to dairy and cotton farming operations, transitioning to insurance-like support from more traditional revenue and price support programs. This transition has been deemed largely ineffective and presents a ripe target for modification in the 2018 legislation. North Dakota state Rep. Mike Brandenburg remarked that now is “not a good time” for farmers, who continue to struggle with low commodity prices. He also said ineffective crop insurance programs compound the problem. Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Mike Conaway, has vowed to complete this next farm bill on time, telling USA Today, “I’m going to do everything I can to push the decision-making process to get this done.” His committee has been hosting a series of listening sessions around the country to speak directly with producers and hear their unique regional and sector needs. “U.S. production agriculture is widespread and diverse, so we need to hear from a broad cross-section of producers to craft a farm bill

that represents all commodities and stakeholders,” Conaway said in a statement. Much of the debate around the farm bill will be shaped by the impact the bill may have on the federal budget. About 80 percent of the spending in the farm bill comes from the nutrition title, which covers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. SNAP provides low-income Americans, many of whom are women, children, the elderly or disabled, with money to purchase food. In fiscal year 2016, 44.2 million American received SNAP benefits, many of whom reside in rural counties. The president’s 2018 budget seeks to tighten eligibility and employment requirements for SNAP recipients. While the benefits are 100 percent federally funded, states distribute the benefits and administer the program. Changes to the eligibility rules could require states to revamp their SNAP administrative programs. “Children not properly nourished don’t learn as easily or as well,” said Vermont state Rep. Carolyn Partridge, chair of the Vermont House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. “If programs offering food stamps to families (are cut), it would cause us to not use our education dollars as effectively.”

She also noted the effect environmental damage can have on local economies dependent on tourism as well as the impact on local property values. Conservation is also a key topic for the 2018 farm bill. Invasive species, forest management and other conservation programs have significant impacts on state budgets and programs. Damage caused by ship borne invasive species accounted for an economic loss of over $200 million in the Great Lakes alone. Likewise, wildfires of increasing intensity and frequency have continued to strain state budgets. This farm bill may attempt to incorporate the latest science and best practices for avoiding wildfires and improving forest management. The farm bill also acts as the primary vehicle for economic development programs in rural areas. Bioenergy, rural broadband access, small business development loans and similar community development programs have appeared in previous farm bills and are likely to do so again. Encouraging rural communities as they shift from easily off shored manufacturing jobs toward more high-skill industries is also likely to be a focus of this legislation.

Health Care Access

Opioid Addiction Crisis

Rural employers often struggle to attract the necessary talent to meet their workforce needs. Similarly, agriculture producers often have difficulty filling the seasonal positions necessary to plant, tend and harvest our nation’s crops. Students often graduate high school without the background needed to get hired. Congress and states are likely to continue their expanded emphasis on apprenticeships and trade certifications to help bridge this gap. Additional restrictions to the immigration system could also continue to strain the rural workforce. Areas that rely heavily on the tourism and agricultural workers entering on temporary visas may continue to see shortages of qualified candidates.

For many rural residents, health care is difficult to access and increasingly costly. Rural patients, who are generally older and sicker than the general population, must often travel long distances to visit specialists. Expanded use of telehealth and efforts to encourage health care providers to practice in rural and underserved areas remain perennial areas of concern. The Affordable Care Act, or ACA, provided rural hospitals with enhanced financial security as patients enrolled in health insurance. As a result, uncompensated care decreased and additional federal funding for critical access hospitals and federally qualified health centers closed the fiscal gap. Changes to the ACA may impact rural hospitals’ ability to provide care.

In addition to the health impacts of opioid addiction, states and localities are battling a range of societal ills generated by those dependent on the drugs. This includes increased crime and growing jail populations as well as a need for specialized child and addiction treatment services. Reuters recently reported that many states and localities are struggling to pay for the social services needs triggered by opioid addiction. Expect a continued focus on expanded opioid abuse response policies, including access to naloxone for nonhealth care professionals, expanded use of drug courts, and safer ways to inject heroin and dispose of used needles.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Workforce Needs

csg serves the states

CSG

Mississippi Rep. Debra Gibbs CSG 2017 Henry Toll Fellow As a CSG Henry Toll Fellow, I can say this premier leadership program lives up to its reputation. The outstanding staff take policy leaders and decisionmakers from all 50 states and U.S. territories and expose them to resources, networking opportunities and leadership development training second to none. It’s not your typical run-of-the-mill leadership program. It lives up to its hype as an adventure. Having access to The Council of State Governments’ network and resources to help find solutions to legislative issues will truly be beneficial to me as a freshman legislator. I intend to embrace the opportunity to educate myself with all that CSG has to offer. This organization is the only one to my knowledge which encompasses all three branches of government with some of the highest caliber of elected officials and decision makers. I am proud to say I am a part of this elite group. I look forward to many years of being a part of CSG!

Wisconsin Rep. Melissa Sargent CSG 2015 Henry Toll Fellow

I k now that e v e ry c o n ta c t

[OUR MEMBERS]

have with CSG

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

will make them

BETTER-INFORMED

policymakers and stronger leaders Idaho Sen. Brent Hill

Throughout my three terms as a state representative in Wisconsin, I have always been impressed by CSG and the resources they offer to legislators and other government officials. I’ve had the privilege and honor of attending CSG regional and national conferences and policy academies. I also participated in both BILLD and the Henry Toll Fellowship. I received invaluable, unparalleled lessons and tools for my work as a state legislator. The programs and resources provided by CSG have not only taught me a lot, but they have also connected me to a network of servant leaders across the country who are interested in breaking the partisan divide and seeking real, pragmatic solutions for people in our communities. CSG also presents incredible opportunities through its network of members who are interested in collaborating, troubleshooting policy solutions for common challenges, and supporting each other’s efforts. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had through CSG, and I encourage my colleagues in state government to not just attend CSG events, but to take the time to engage and get involved. I am a better legislator because of the knowledge, experiences and relationships that I have gleaned by participating and engaging in CSG.

Oregon Sen. Jackie Winters CSG 2012 Henry Toll Fellow CSG offers such a range of experiences that help us and our colleagues to work more effectively on behalf of our constituents. I have had the great pleasure to participate in the enriching thrust of the Toll Fellowship program, which is of special benefit because of its active message of the values and benefits of collaboration. Not only is there a focused opportunity to build teams with members of legislative assemblies from other states, we are also encouraged and facilitated in gaining experience in developing partnerships with other elected officials, such as judges and city and county commissioners, with whom we may not have previously had interactions. I have developed and maintained new ways of increasing and ensuring my desired outcomes through collaboration that resulted in recent passage of key pieces of legislation positively impacting Oregon’s justice system, including “ban the box” and sentencing reforms. In addition to CSG-sponsored training events, I find helpful advice in Capitol Ideas that comes to my office. I know also that members of my staff eagerly read and benefit from the magazine as well. Through the use of partnerships with strong messages supporting collaboration, we no longer need to explain how we know we can achieve the desired outcomes, we simply engage in the actions learned through our CSG experiences, confident that we are using proven strategies. Thank you CSG!

Tennessee Rep. Raumesh Akbari CSG 2015 Henry Toll Fellow

R U N - O F-T H E - M I L L

leadership program

It lives up to its hype

as an adventure Mississippi Rep. Debra Gibbs

Idaho Sen. Brent Hill CSG 2013 Henry Toll Fellow CSG is more than competent staff and exceptional programs, more than instructional conferences and training sessions, and more than an opportunity to interact with colleagues in public service. It is all of these combined in a comprehensive organization designed to help state governments better serve our citizens. CSG builds leaders. From the Western Legislative Academy early in my legislative career to the Henry Toll Fellowship later on, CSG has provided guidance and tools to help me be a more effective lawmaker. Now, as the president pro tem of the Idaho Senate, it is my privilege to not only encourage our members to participate in CSG, but also to recommend candidates for CSG’s national and regional leadership training programs. I never worry that they will be disappointed. I know that every contact they have with CSG will make them better-informed policymakers and stronger leaders. They will be better prepared for the social, economic and political challenges we face. CSG is an ally. It serves thousands of state leaders in all three branches of government across the country, but it always focuses on my priorities and fosters my success. One of the great benefits of serving in the Legislature has been to get to know CSG—the organization and its members. Even when I retire from public service, I will still treasure my friends and colleagues in my CSG.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

The Council of State Governments is an invaluable tool for me as a state legislator. I particularly like the connection between all three branches of government. All three working together helps produce the best public policy. The leadership programs, research and resources, and network differentiates CSG from other legislative groups. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and learn as a leader with the help of this awesome organization!

is NOT your typical

csg serves the states

CSG Through the Decades by Shawntaye Hopkins

1920 s

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Henry Wolcott Toll, an Army veteran and a lawyer, had served as a Colorado state senator for just a few years when he announced the formation of the American Legislators’ Association in 1925. The association, which would become The Council of State Governments, was created as a medium through which legislators could share information.

“Here is an Association which is non-partisan, non-political, disinterested, and judicially minded,” Toll wrote in the December 1932 edition of State Government, a monthly publication of the association. “It has no axes to grind, and it is actuated solely by an ambition to help every legislator and every legislature. It urges every citizen to adopt a constructive and helpful attitude in legislative matters.”

1940 s

1930 s

CSG’s original Articles of Organization states the increased speed of transportation and communication as well as the increased size of business meant safety and prosperity in every state somewhat depended on conditions and practices in other states. “In thousands of instances the laws of the states conflict, their practices diverge, their regulations are antagonistic, and their policies are either competitive or repugnant to one another,” the 1933 document says. “Such disharmony cannot continue.” On Oct. 22, 1933, Toll sat in a small hotel room in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with 12 to 15 others. “The Council of State Governments had never been heard of before that day,” Toll wrote in a 1959 State Government article. “After a few minutes’ discussion, the board adopted, without amendment, some Articles of Organization …”

The beginning of this decade saw the start of the CSG Suggested State Legislation (now Shared State Legislation) program during World War II when a committee came together and produced a report about legislation covering an array of matters, including soldier-sailor voting, war housing and child care centers for working mothers. SSL facilitates the sharing of legislative ideas about topics of current importance to states.

history of csg

1950 s

In July 1958, CSG published the first issue of State Government News, a monthly newsletter about state affairs for state officials and others interested in state government. After a few iterations, State Government News eventually became today’s Capitol Ideas, which reaches more than 20,000 people across the country and covers a range of policy issues while highlighting the work of state governments.

1970 s

CSG served as the leader of several associations of state leaders. In 1975, the National Conference of State Legislators was established when three legislative organizations, including CSG’s National Legislative Conference, merged and opened its own headquarters. The Governors Conference, a CSG affiliate that became the National Governors Association, established its own secretariat and moved its services to Washington, D.C. Toll, who had returned to his law practice in Denver but remained CSG’s honorary president, died in 1975.

199 0 s

Kentucky financed the construction of a second building to facilitate the work of CSG and its affiliate organizations in 1993. CSG continued to expand its research and promote multistate cooperation in international trade. The State International Development Organizations, a national association of state trade directors, would partner with CSG and become an affiliate early in the following decade.

“It was constructed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky to Council specifications and will provide more ample space for the Council’s expanding programs, especially in the fields of state executive and legislative staff development and training,” the article said.

1980 s

The CSG Henry Toll Fellowship, a leadership development program for state government officials across all three braches, started in 1986. It has now graduated more than 1,200 state leaders. A story in the Aug. 10, 1986, Enterprise-Journal of McComb, Mississippi, quoted then-Mississippi state Rep. Bobby Moak, a member of the first Toll class. “It is a distinct honor to be chosen to take part in this intensive weeklong training session,” Moak said. Now, four additional leadership development programs operate under each CSG regional office: MLC Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, CSG West’s Western Legislative Academy, ERC’s Robert J. Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy and SLC’s Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills.

Present Our work reflects not only the changing policy needs of the states but also changes in technology and communication. CSG continues to offer resources such as The Book of the States, which has provided data and analyses about state governments and their operations since 1935. In addition, CSG continues to convene state government officials to discuss important issues such as overseas voting and civic education. In August 2015, CSG members and staff rededicated the 1969 headquarters building in Lexington, Kentucky, after a major renovation and, in the following year, the headquarters would adopt a new address: 1776 Avenue of the States. Through policy academies, social media, e-newsletters, webinars, mobile apps, annual meetings and more, CSG continues to educate and connect state leaders across the country.

Photo and caption from State Government, February 1937, Vol. 10 No. 2 The cameraman didn’t learn what Staff Member Gallagher is so earnestly expounding to Director Toll but whatever the news, it is good enough to evoke the Toll smile, while soup cools.

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2000 s

This decade saw the creation of the National Center for Interstate Compacts, or NCIC, and the CSG Justice Center. The Eastern Regional Conference’s criminal justice program transformed to become the national CSG Justice Center after approval by the CSG Governing Board in December 2006, providing nonpartisan, research-based strategies to improve public safety. NCIC, established in 2004, continues CSG’s long tradition of assisting state leaders as they collaborate to solve multistate problems.

1960 s

In April 1967, The Council of State Governments’ executive committee voted to move CSG headquarters from Chicago to Lexington, Kentucky. The following day, the committee would attend spring races at Keeneland, the city’s picturesque racecourse not far from the lush acres that would become the headquarters’ home. An article in the April 1969 issue of State Government News announced plans to move into a new building on May 1, 1969.

csg serves the states

MEET YOUR CSG LEADERS PRESIDENT

Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert

HERBERT WILL WORK TO ENHANCE INTERBRANCH COLLABORATION Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert became Utah’s 17th governor in August 2009. Prior to taking the oath of office, Herbert served as lieutenant governor for five years. As Utah’s chief executive, one of Herbert’s priorities has been leading Utah’s recovery from the Great Recession. His efforts on economic development include attracting businesses and investment to the state while helping homegrown businesses flourish. Herbert said he’s proud of the economic accolades the state has received. Utah is one of a few states to hold a Triple-A bond rating from all three rating agencies since rating systems began.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

“Utah’s culture plays a large part in our success,” Herbert said. “We have the youngest median age in the U.S., and our workforce is dependable, hard-working, loyal and healthy. We have a strong middle class, as well as highly successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who have made Utah their permanent home.”

Going forward, Herbert said one of his policy priorities would be achieving educational excellence to match the state’s business and economic progress.

Did You Know?

“When I was first elected as governor, I set out to make Utah’s economy number one in the nation,” he said. “My goal is to now move Utah’s education system to the top of the pack. As the fastest growing state in the nation we are doing well, especially considering Utah’s unique funding constraints, but there is more to be done.” Herbert plans to bring his focus on education, particularly civics, to his role as CSG 2018 president. “In Utah, we’ve worked to increase the amount of civic education that our students receive, and I am anxious to work with CSG to share the knowledge we’ve gained and learn what other states are doing to promote civic education,” he said. As president, Herbert also hopes to enhance collaboration between the three branches of each state’s government by facilitating conversations about intergovernmental efficiency and communication best practices. “I want to continue to provide innovative formats for states to share best practices on all subjects, and between all levels of government,” he said. While attending BYU, Herbert met and married his wife, Jeanette. He later joined the Utah National Guard and served for six years as a staff sergeant. After his military service, he began a career in the real estate industry, founding brokerage firm Herbert & Associates Realtors. He and

Herbert is the 17th governor of Utah. He and his wife, Jeanette, operated a child care service, The Kids Connection, for 23 years.

He has six children and 16 grandchildren.

Jeanette also began a child care service, The Kids Connection, which they operated for 23 years. In 1990, he was appointed to the Utah County Commission, where he served for 14 years. During his time as county commissioner, he served as president of the Utah Association of Counties and the Utah Association of Realtors, and as a board member of the Provo Orem Chamber of Commerce and Utah Water Conservancy District. “Growing up, I didn’t plan to run for elective office,” Herbert said. “I was involved in local professional organizations related to my career in real estate, and had spent significant effort to protect private property rights, which I felt (and still feel) is the basis for freedom and commerce. Over time, I felt it was important to get more involved and to stand for this principle of freedom, which led to me to eventually become a candidate and then later be elected to the Utah County Commission, as lieutenant governor, and later as Utah’s governor.”

“In Utah, we’ve worked to increase the amount of civic education that our students receive, and I am anxious to work with CSG to share the knowledge we’ve gained and learn what other states are doing to promote civic education.”

Herbert previously served as chair of the National Governors Association, where his chair’s initiative focused on highlighting statebased solutions while enhancing a collaborative state-federal partnership. The governor and his wife are the proud parents of six children and 16 grandchildren.

He began playing tennis at age 28. At age 36, he was ranked no. one in Utah in the 35+ open division. He has served on more than 30 boards, commissions and organizations.

meet your csg leaders

by Lisa McKinney

CHAIR

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers

STIVERS HOPES TO BOLSTER INTERSTATE RELATIONS THROUGH CSG Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers said CSG, a national organization headquartered in his home state, provides an excellent platform that brings state officials and others together from all over the country. “CSG allows us to hear from legislators or business leaders who have been on the front end of an issue or idea that is starting to spread into every other region of the U.S.,” said Stivers, the 2018 CSG national chair. “It promotes great discussions on these issues and provides a number of diverse perspectives.” Stivers has served in the General Assembly since 1997 and represents the 25th District, which encompasses Clay, Knox, Lee, Owsley, Whitley and Wolfe counties in the southeastern part of the state. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as Senate majority floor leader in 2009, a position he served in until being elected Senate president in 2012 and again in 2014 and 2016.

One of Stivers’ primary priorities during his time in the Kentucky Legislature has been to create jobs and develop the state’s economy, policy goals he carries with him to his work at CSG. “We are always wanting to create a better environment for tourism and trade because those areas create jobs and improve our local economies and our way of life,” Stivers said. “A lot of this, for me, is looking at regulations and tax codes, and looking at impediments to growing jobs. It also includes looking at the role of state government, federal government and federalism issues.”

“CSG allows us to hear from legislators or business leaders who have been on the front end of an issue or idea that is starting to spread into every other region of the U.S. It promotes great discussions on these issues and provides a number of diverse perspectives.”

In 2015, Stivers was named chair of CSG Southern Legislative Conference. He became CSG’s vice chair in 2016 and chair-elect in 2017 and will serve as chair this year. Stivers said the rela-

“Through networking at the actual conference, it has allowed me to call up a legislator in New Jersey or Illinois or Tennessee and say, ‘Hey, we were talking about this at the conference, so how has the process of implementing this policy been going for you and your state? How have people responded? What would you do differently if you had a chance to try it again?’” he said. “And it works both ways. I get several phone calls or emails from connections I’ve made at CSG throughout the course of a year. CSG is a great resource in learning how other states are handling issues, policies, new ideas or constituent requests.” Stivers was the assistant commonwealth’s attorney from 1989 to 1993. He has served as a member of the Kentucky Appalachian Council, the Kentucky Appalachian Commission, the Early Childhood Development Council, the Governor’s Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, the OxyContin Task Force, the Evidence Committee at the University of Louisville Law School, The Council of State Governments’ Public Safety and Justice Task Force, the Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations Committee of the CSG Southern Legislative Conference, the Southern States Energy Board, and he is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Criminal Justice Task Force. Stivers graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in industrial management and minor in economics and earned his law degree from the University of Louisville. A practicing attorney in Manchester, Kentucky, Stivers is married to Regina Crawford Stivers and has four children—Joshua, Caroline, Margaret and Robert—and one grandchild, Mia.

In 2015, Stivers was honored by Governing magazine as a Public Official of the Year.

He is a practicing attorney in Manchester, Kentucky.

He has served in the General Assembly since 1997.

He has four children and one grandchild.

He served as chair of the CSG Southern Legislative Conference in 2015.

Did You Know?

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Stivers serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Committees and Rules Committee and the co-chair of the Legislative Research

Commission. Additionally, he is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

tionships he has built through CSG have allowed him to exchange insights with colleagues from across the country.

csg serves the states

issues they face daily and share solutions, then maybe we can change the world.”

CHAIR-ELECT

She also plans to explore new ways for CSG to take advantage of technology to connect and inform its members, while maintaining the warm, familial quality for which the organization is known.

Delaware Rep. Helene Keeley

KEELEY HOPES TO EXPAND CSG’S NATIONAL AND GLOBAL REACH Delaware state Rep. Helene Keeley, CSG 2018 chair-elect, first ran for public office in 1990, when she was 25 years old, the youngest age she was eligible to run. After running three times in a row, Keeley was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 1996 where she continues to serve today, making her the longest-serving member in the House. Keeley’s endurance and commitment has propelled her to leadership at The Council of State Governments. She graduated from the Henry Toll Fellowship, a CSG leadership development program, in 2001, and in 2015, took on the role of co-chair of the CSG Eastern Regional Conference. She also served as co-chair of the CSG Fiscal & Economic Development Public Policy Committee in 2015 after being a member of the National Working Group on Economic Development that was the impetus for establishing the committee.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Keeley said CSG has been a tremendous resource for her, through the Toll Fellowship, policy academies, meetings and connections

Did You Know?

made with other legislators, and encourages other state government officials to jump into the organization with both feet. “I’ve learned so much from other legislators whether in a working session or just having a cup of coffee,” she said. “The knowledge that CSG members have is top-notch and we need future leaders to make it even better.” Now, as CSG 2018 chair-elect, Keeley hopes to expand CSG’s international reach. “I would like to see CSG play a bigger part in international relations,” she said. “With the mounting tensions around the world, I believe that if our counterparts from across the globe can see that we are challenged with the same

“I would like to see CSG play a bigger part in international relations. With the mounting tensions around the world, I believe that if our counterparts from across the globe can see that we are challenged with the same issues they face daily and share solutions, then maybe we can change the world.”

“I would like to have a focus group of younger legislators to understand better how they would like to have information delivered to them,” she said. “I believe we still want that family atmosphere at our regional and annual meetings, but we should find if there is a way to use technology to advance the sessions.” Keeley served as House minority whip from 2007-2008. She currently serves as chair of the Revenue & Finance Committee and vice chair of the Gaming & Pari-mutuels Committee. Keeley works as the community relations coordinator with the Delaware Department of Labor, and previously worked for Rosenbluth International as a global project manager. Through her tenure with the Delaware General Assembly, Keeley has worked to establish a statewide needle exchange program. She also has championed legislation to improve DUI laws and the Medical Marijuana Act. She recently sponsored legislation to impose a 10 percent of the purchase price tax on the first sale of opioids in the state. Prescription drugs used exclusively for the treatment of opioid addiction are excluded from the tax. She also sponsored legislation to re-establish the Human Trafficking Interagency Coordinating Council. The bill requires that a public awareness sign on human trafficking must be displayed at locations designated by the council. Keeley resides with her husband, Michael Green, and her dog, Hebe, in Wilmington.

Keeley is the longest-serving member of the Delaware House of Representatives. She is a 2001 graduate of the CSG Henry Toll Fellowship.

She is the community relations coordinator with the Delaware Department of Labor.

She served as co-chair of the CSG Eastern Regional Conference in 2015.

She is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

meet your csg leaders

VICE CHAIR

Wisconsin Rep. Joan Ballweg

BALLWEG PLANS TO BUILD ON CSG’S REGIONAL FOCUS Wisconsin state Rep. Joan Ballweg is the state representative for the 41st Assembly District located in south central Wisconsin, a position she was first elected to in 2004. Her public service began when she served as alderperson on the Markesan City Council for four years, and she went on to serve as mayor of the city for six years. Ballweg said CSG has helped her during her time as a public servant by providing opportunities to access research and policy experts. She was a fellow of the CSG Midwest Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, where she studied professional development strategies and became familiar with the depth of support CSG can provide. “The opportunity to travel for the German energy tour and to Canada as part of the Midwest-Canada Relations Committee has offered me the chance to collaborate and build relationships,” Ballweg said. “I am grateful for the opportunities CSG has given me, and I encourage legislators in my caucus, state and across the nation to participate.”

She is a former first-grade teacher.

Ballweg said CSG’s regional focus is a strength she wants to build on while serving as the 2018 vice chair. In addition, she endorses CSG’s comprehensive branding strategy and is looking forward its roll out.

“This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to return more input and autonomy to our home states from Washington D.C. We should do everything possible to partner with legislatures, regions “This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to and the other national legislative return more input and autonomy to our home organizations to promote this states from Washington, D.C.,” Ballweg said. common goal.”

“We should do everything possible to partner with legislatures, regions and the other national legislative organizations to promote this common goal.”

Ballweg is the co-chair of the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, and vice chair of the Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform. She is also a member of the Committee on Mental Health, Committee on Children and Families, Committee on Rules, Committee on Jobs and the Economy, Committee on Tourism, Joint Legislative Council, and has been a member of the Committee on Colleges and Universities since first being elected in 2005. She is also commissioner to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. Her special legislative interests include spearheading Red Tape Review, a comprehensive look at Wisconsin’s administrative rules, and initiatives relating to strengthening families and early childhood education. In 2014, Ball-

“During my seven terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, I have worked on several different policy areas, but I have always been focused on higher education and financial aid,” Ballweg said. “I come from a working class family, and I was the first in my family to attend college. I know from my own experience that there are many youth who could use support to pursue their dreams.” Ballweg and her husband, Tom, live in Markesan in Green Lake County. The couple owns and operates a John Deere Farm Equipment dealership in Waupun, Wisconsin, and a yard and garden store in Beaver Dam, and have been in that business since 1976. Ballweg graduated in 1974 from UW-Stevens Point, and was a first-grade teacher before she went into business.

She served as mayor of Markesan, Wisconsin, for six years. She initiated the Wisconsin Legislative Children’s Caucus, which is focused on building support for evidence-informed investments in children and families.

She was a fellow of the CSG Midwest Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development.

Did You Know?

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Ballweg and her husband have owned a farm equipment dealership and a yard and garden store since 1976.

weg chaired the Legislative Council Steering Committee for Supporting Healthy Early Brain Development. In 2015, she also initiated a bipartisan Wisconsin Legislative Children’s Caucus, which is focused on building support for evidence-informed investments in children and families. In addition, she is a member of the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board.

csg serves the states

CSG EAST/EASTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE New York State Sen. James Seward and Assemblyman Mike Benedetto, ERC 2018 Co-Chairs

2018 EVENTS Agritourism and Right to Farm: Challenges and Solutions April 20–21, 2018 l Providence, Rhode Island The ERC Agricultural and Rural Development Committee will sponsor a Policy Forum in the spring in Providence, Rhode Island, on two contentious regional issues, the “right to farm” and “agritourism.” This policy forum will investigate the different approaches states have taken to these issues and share with participants what has and has not worked.

Northeastern Sustainability Summit

SEN. SEWARD

ew York state Sen. James Seward and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto will serve as the 2018 CSG Eastern Regional Conference co-chairs. Together, they bring many years of public service and extensive policy knowledge to CSG East.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Seward was elected to the New York state Senate in 1986 and has focused on policy issues including job creation, education, technology and health insurance. He authored New York State’s Power for Jobs program, since renamed ReCharge NY, to help businesses save on the high cost of energy. According to Seward, in 2018, he will be focused on two key fundamental priorities—creating new job opportunities and emphasizing affordability for families and businesses.

ASSEMBLYMAN BENEDETTO

information as we work collaboratively to address this scourge that is affecting all of our states and communities.” Both Benedetto and Seward agree that addressing fiscal issues will be important for New York and other states in 2018. “New York is faced with some tough fiscal challenges, and in my estimation the best way to clear the financial hurdles is through economic growth,” Seward said. “Controlling state spending, derailing new taxes, ending costly and unnecessary state regulations, and partnering with our business leaders to boost our economy are high on my agenda.”

Seminar on Teacher Licensing Reciprocity: An Interstate Compact Approach Spring 2018 A seminar, sponsored by the ERC Education Committee, will be held to examine the regional problem of teacher shortages and teacher certification reciprocity. ERC will be working with the CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts in the coming months on an interstate compact approach to interstate licensing challenges in the Eastern Region.

According to Benedetto, federal tax reform and federal funding uncertainty will also have a major impact on states in the coming year.

Benedetto, a 2006 graduate of ERC’s Eastern Leadership Academy, spent 35 years teaching “The loss of the state and local tax deduction alone will have huge implications for New York elementary and secondary school and was and many states in our region. The ERC Execuelected to the State Assembly in 2004. Bene tive Committee has already sent a resolution detto has focused on education and child protection issues and has been an ardent sup- opposing the elimination of the state and local porter of union rights. According to Benedetto, tax deduction, or SALT, to Congressional leadership and the House and Senate conferees on one of the toughest issues facing New York and states across the ERC region is the opioid crisis. the tax bill.” “States are at the forefront in addressing the opioid crisis working with health professionals, law enforcement and health care providers,” Benedetto said. “CSG can assist states in sharing

May 10–11, 2018 l Princeton University, New Jersey The Northeast is heavily dependent on fossil fuels for its energy supply, but most of the ERC member jurisdictions have set aggressive goals to increase generation from renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050. This seminar will look at key issues and policy choices facing ERC member states and the Eastern Canadian Provinces in order to achieve those targets. Participants will also examine strategies for accelerating greenhouse gas reduction efforts and making the transition to a zero-emission future.

Seward and Benedetto believe CSG’s ability to convene leaders to share insights and ideas will help states solve tough policy issues such as these and more.

58th Annual Meeting & Regional Policy Forum of the Eastern Regional Conference Aug. 5–8, 2018 l Rye Brook, New York The ERC’s 58th Annual Meeting & Regional Policy Forum will be held at the Westchester Hilton Hotel on Aug. 5–8, 2018, in Rye Brook, New York. The ERC 2018 Annual Meeting is being co-chaired by New York state Sen. James Seward and Assemblyman Mike Benedetto.

regional roundup | east CT • DE • MA • MD • ME • NH • NJ • NY • PA • RI • VT • NB • NS • ON • PE • PR • QC • VI

CONTINUED

INITIATIVES

KEY STAFF

2018 Eastern Leadership Academy

The Eastern Trade Council, or ETC, strength-

Executive Leadership

2018 EVENTS

Aug. 26–30, 2018 l Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Each year, the ELA brings together a class of 30 selected state officials for five days of intensive training with experts in communications, government and policy development. Created in coordination with the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, the program includes lectures with award-winning Penn faculty and hands-on workshops in media relations, negotiating skills, time management and public speaking. The program is carefully tailored to help each class of state officials take their leadership abilities to the next level. The University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government offers an $8,000 annual scholarship to ELA alumni who are interested in pursuing an executive master’s degree in public administration.

PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES Perspectives ERC produces an annual report outlining our yearly activities and the work of our policy committees, providing highlights of the ERC Annual Meeting and initiatives planned for the year ahead. Please find a link to this year’s perspectives at csg-erc.org.

ERC Transportation Policy Newsletter A monthly newsletter outlining important topics and key news regarding transportation in CSG’s Eastern Region. To sign up for alerts, contact Steve Hewitt or Don Hannon, ERC’s Transportation Policy consultants, at donhannon@iCloud.com, or shewitt109@aol.com.

Green Matters Newsletter A monthly newsletter highlighting energy and environment issues in CSG’s Eastern Region. For more information, please contact Rona Cohen, senior policy analyst, at rcohen@csg.org.

CSG/ERC Canada-U.S. News

ERC Council on Communities of Color, con-

sisting of African-American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American legislators from ERC’s member states and provinces, sponsors programs for state officials on public policy issues of particular concern to communities of color. The council seeks to engage all ERC members in a dialogue on issues involving race, diversity and inclusiveness in our states, communities, and in the workplace. Communities of color face difficult, and often unique, economic, environmental and social challenges. The Council on Communities of Color seeks to focus attention on these issues and promote the conversations necessary to produce public policy solutions, not only to improve the quality of life in these communities, but to improve the productive capacity of our states and the region. The CounCil of STaTe GovernmenTS eastern regional conference

Wendell Hannaford.......whannaford@csg.org Director, CSG/ERC

David Biette................................dbiette@csg.org Deputy Director, CSG/ERC

Departmental Specialists Jack Aitken...................................jaitken@csg.org Research Associate

A.R. Braver.................................. abraver@csg.org Meeting Logistics, Program Manager

Veronique M. Cavaillier.....vcavaillier@csg.org Director, Eastern Trade Council Director, Leadership Training Programs

Rona Cohen................................ rcohen@csg.org Senior Policy Analyst, Energy & Environment Program Editor, Print & Multimedia Projects

Debbie-Ann Paige................... dpaige@csg.org Policy Analyst, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee Coordinator, ERC Quad Caucus

Uldis Vanags.............................uvanags@csg.org Jan. 12, 2017 | 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Harrisburg, Pa. | Senate Building

Your Personal Influence on Leadership in State Government DR. DANNY MILLER President & CEO, New Heights Learning LLC Dr. Danny Miller is the President and CEO of New Heights Learning LLC, a dynamic consulting firm, providing training and assessment in the areas of leadership, character and team development for organizations from the academic, military, public and private sectors. Dr. Miller is also a retired member of the U.S. Air Force. He holds a doctoral degree in management with an emphasis in leadership. Dr. Miller’s executive credentials feature over 25 years of progressive leadership and management experience with the US Air Force. He’s successful in developing, implementing and assessing organization-critical programs and processes, enhancing the capabilities of over 700,000 Air Force personnel.

This dynamic session has two distinct components that are carefully integrated. First, through administration of the DISC Classic— Personal Profile System, you will gain insight into your behavioral profile and be able to capitalize on your strengths, appreciate others’ differences, and anticipate and minimize potential conflicts with others. Your newfound insight is continually put into play through the second component, a series of problemsolving scenarios in a group setting.

Facing the Media SETH PENDLETON Partner, KNP Communications Seth Pendleton, a founding partner of KNP, specializes in preparing political, nonprofit, and business leaders for some of their most crucial public appearances, including media interviews, national convention speeches, keynote addresses, and investor meetings. Seth has been a speaker and media trainer for more than 15 years, working with such clients as AARP, Harvard Business School, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, HBO, Pfizer, Bayer, and Hewitt and Associates. Seth has also served as a media/speaker trainer and debate prep consultant for more than 50 members of the United States Congress and the U.S. Senate. He previously served as a senior speechwriter for the Director of the National Science Foundation. Seth holds a Masters degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and an M.A. in Theatre Arts from Villanova University. A former actor and theater director, he is a longtime member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Participants learn a common sense approach to defusing hostile questions and giving positive, simple and memorable information.

The ERC EASTrain program brings seasoned experts to state legislatures throughout the region for hands-on professional development training designed to improve leadership skills. The programs are developed at the request of legislative leadership and customized to meet the needs of members. Training sessions are in the planning stage for New Jersey and New Hampshire for 2018. The Council of State Governments is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association charged with promoting excellence in state government. As the only association representing all three branches of government, CSG has been committed to putting the best ideas and solutions into practice since 1933. CSG’s Eastern Office serves 11 northeastern states—Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Canadian Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. In pursuit of its mission, ERC conducts public policy research and analysis, holds seminars and conferences, and publishes various electronic newsletters relating to agriculture, environment/energy, health, transportation and regional trends.

Cover Image: New Jersey General Assembly, Copyright 2012 Niagara. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. To access the original work on Creative Commons, visit http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Jersey_State_House,_General_Assembly_chamber.jpg. The original work has been faded as a background for cover text. Because the original work has been transformed, and to conform with the original work’s license, this transformed work should be considered distributed under the same or similar license. The originator and Creative Commons should not be considered as endorsing the contents of this brochure.

Director, Northeast High-Level Radioactive Waste Transportation Project

CSG ERC Policy Consultants Don Hannon.............. donhannon@icloud.com Transportation Policy

Steve Hewitt...................... shewitt109@aol.com Transportation Policy

Fran Boyd ..............franboyd@meyersandassociates.com Agriculture and Rural Affairs Federal Affairs

Tara Sad.................................taraeric@gmail.com Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Bob Haefner........bobhaefnerjp@comcast.net Agriculture and Rural Affairs

22 Cortlandt St., Floor 22 New York, NY 10007 p 212.482.2320 | www.csg-erc.org

Elizabeth Whitehouse ............................................ ewhitehouse@csg.org Education

Oliver Kim...........................ojkim23@yahoo.com Health Policy

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Monthly newsletter highlighting Canada-U.S. relations in CSG’s Eastern Region. For more information, please contact David Biette, deputy director of CSG/ERC, at dbiette@csg.org.

ens state trade programs and increases regional exports by sharing trade development data and best practices, jointly promoting regional products and services, and collectively advocating for federal trade promotion programs and policies that benefit the region. The ETC is supported by annual appropriations from its 11 member jurisdictions. For more information about ETC, please contact Veronique Cavaillier, director of the Eastern Trade Council, at vcavaillier@csg.org.

csg serves the states

CSG SOUTH/SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, Missouri SLC 2017–2018 Chair

2018 EVENTS State Transformation in Action Recognition July 24, 2018 | St. Louis, Missouri

The Southern Legislative Conference’s unique convening power— sustained for more than seven decades—has enabled us to bring together diverse voices from within our region, helping to clarify differences and find practical solutions to shared governmental problems.”

issouri state Sen. Ron Richard represents the 32nd senatorial district, which includes the citizens of Dade, Newton and Jasper counties. His time in the Missouri General Assembly began in 2002, when he was elected to the House of Representatives, serving the 129th district.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Richard said he’s honored to serve as the 2017– 2018 Southern Legislative Conference chair and host the SLC’s 72nd Annual Meeting in St. Louis in July.

serve in the Senate in 100 years. He was chosen to serve as majority floor leader in 2012. Richard was elected to a second Senate term in 2014 and again was selected as majority floor leader. In 2015, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as president pro tem of the Senate. Richard is the first person in the history of Missouri to serve as both speaker of the House and president pro tem of the Senate.

In addition to his legislative work, Richard has “The Southern Legislative Conference’s unique full duties with C&N Bowl Corporation in Joplin, Missouri. He served as mayor of Joplin from convening power—sustained for more than 1994–1997, and on the Joplin city council from seven decades—has enabled us to bring to1990–1994. gether diverse voices from within our region, helping to clarify differences and find practical Richard is a member of the following organisolutions to shared governmental problems,” zations: Joplin Elks Lodge, Joplin Chamber of Richard said in a letter shared on SLC’s webCommerce, National Federation of Indepensite. “Nowhere is our mission more on display dent Business, Kiwanis, Farm Bureau, Scottish than during our annual meetings, where we Rite Bodies, Valley of Joplin and Knights of bring expertise, balance and informed debate Columbus. He has received numerous awards to the state-level discussion of policy options.” from business, industry and education entities In 2008, Richard was chosen by his colleagues throughout the state. to serve as speaker of the House. Richard was the first speaker from Newton County and the second from the region since Dick Webster of Jasper County.

Richard received a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University in 1969, and a master’s degree from Missouri State University in 1972.

In November 2010, Richard was elected to the Senate, becoming the first House speaker to

Richard lives in Joplin with his wife, Patty. They have two children and four grandchildren.

72nd Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference July 21–25, 2018 | St. Louis, Missouri Focusing on both existing and emerging state government innovations and solutions, the SLC Annual Meeting provides policymakers with diverse opportunities to engage regional and national policy experts about the issues that matter most to them and their constituents. Each year, the SLC Annual Meeting shines a spotlight on the host state’s yearlong planning to accommodate members from across the region with special activities and events unique to both the host city and state.

Legislative Delegation to the Panama Canal September 2018 | Panama

Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills Oct. 13–17, 2018 | Little Rock, Arkansas The Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills, or CALS, seeks to create skilled, educated and confident state leaders by developing and enhancing core competencies that play a vital role in the service of public officials, in both professional and personal arenas. Through activities and instruction focusing on the leadership program’s four central components— communication, conflict resolution, consensus building and critical decision-making — CALS scholars have an opportunity to reinforce and refine these crucial skills. Applications for participation in the CALS program are accepted from emerging leaders in state government in SLC’s 15 member states. Full scholarships are provided to those selected, covering all costs related to participating in the program. To learn more or apply for the CALS leadership program, visit slcatlanta.org/CALS.

regional roundup | south AL • AR • FL • GA • KY • LA • MO • MS • NC • OK • SC • TN • TX • VA • WV

PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES Prepared under the auspices of SLC’s six standing committees, SLC Regional Resources provide a regional analysis on the background and current status of the most prevalent and unique state government policy issues facing Southern states. Focusing on policy issues, trends and developments particular to the South, these reports provide a point of reference that allows SLC members to view their state’s governmental policies in relation to their closest neighbors.

INITIATIVES

KEY STAFF

SLC Delegations— In order to better facilitate

Executive Leadership

information sharing between and among its member states, the U.S. federal government and foreign nations, the SLC arranges delegations comprising legislative leaders and committee chairs to domestic and international points of innovation to observe a particular program or service firsthand, communicate member states’ positions on federal legislation and regulations, and enhance economic relations with countries of importance to the Southern region.

Colleen Cousineau Director

Departmental Specialists Mikko Lindberg.................. mlindberg@csg.org Senior Communications and Research Specialist Contact for member services and outreach; SLC Annual Meeting; SLC website and publications

Anne Roberts Brody............. aroberts@csg.org Policy Analyst Contact for agriculture; energy; environment; rural development by Roger Moore, Policy Analyst

This report is the second in a series examining the challenges that long-term care poses for states in the SLC region.

Introduction

SLC Special Series Reports provide an in-depth As the nation’s population continues to trend older, it increasingly is apparent that long-term care (LTC) — defined as a range of medical and social services required by individuals in need of extended support due to illness and frailty — is becoming a growing concern for state and federal policymakers. Across the country, the number of people aged 65 and over is growing rapidly, a shift that will continue for several decades. As noted in Part I of this SLC Special Series Report, there will be approximately 88 million people over age 65 by 2050, almost double the 47.8 million recorded in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More importantly, the number of people aged 85 and older, the demographic most likely to require longterm care, also will grow dramatically, from 6.3 million in 2015, to an estimated 19.0 million in 2050.1

and Human Services, 52 percent of all people turning 65 between 2015-2019 will require some form of long-term care during their lives, with 57.5 percent of women and 46.7 percent of men expected to need care.*

analysis of key policy issues facing Southern states. anticipated range of LTC services is extensive and Addressing governmentalThe issues with multiple varied. It may include day-to-day personal care, such as bathing, dressing and preparing meals, or assistance with layers and highly nuancedother solutions, these reports essential activities, such as housekeeping, transportation and paying bills. Medical care also is frequently necessary, for those with more severe disabilities provide an extensive analysis ofparticularly national, economic and illnesses. Long-term care services can be provided at in community-based residential settings orfocus nursing and political trends, along home, with an additional facilities, depending on the severity of ailments, financial circumstances and personal preferences. on how these developments relate to the SLC memberAccording states as a whole. to recentand estimates the from the region Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, which advises the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health

Roger Moore............................. rmoore@csg.org

Other sources project that the number of people expected to need long-term care is higher than 52 percent. For instance, according to longtermcare.gov, a site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70 percent of people aged 65 and over will require some form of long-term care during their lives. *

SLC Issue Alerts comprise concise reports on SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

Southern Office of The Council of State Governments

p: (404) 633-1866 | f: (404) 633-4896 | slcatlanta.org

P.O. Box 98129 | Atlanta, Georgia 30359

recent and quickly approaching state and federal Southern Legislative Conference and SLC are trademarks registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. developments of importance to the Southern region. These communications keep SLC members apprised of forthcoming opportunities, concerns and deadlines on policy issues with short timelines.

Comparative Data Reports, or CDRs, are pre-

pared annually by select SLC states’ fiscal research departments. These reports track a multitude of revenue sources and appropriations levels in Southern states and serve as a useful tool to legislators and legislative staff in determining their respective state spending.

Legislative Staff Exchange Program, or LSEP,

provides opportunities for legislative staff in SLC member states to participate in peer-to-peer briefings and exchanges to develop effective strategies, identify best practices and share innovative ideas across a broad spectrum of legislative processes. Tailored for the particular needs and schedules of the participants, LSEPs are held in both formal and informal group settings, with funding provided by the SLC.

Through SouthTrain, the SLC periodically arranges for policy experts to visit member state capitols and conduct workshops on pre-selected topics for legislators and legislative staff. The topics and presenters are decided in close consultation with leadership and senior staff in the respective legislative offices. All costs related to the workshop are borne by the SLC.

P.O. Box 98129 Atlanta, GA 30359 p 404.633.1866 | www.slcatlanta.org

Policy Analyst Contact for cultural affairs; economic development; human services; public safety; transportation

Nick Bowman.......................nbowman@csg.org Publications and Research Associate Contact for state legislative service agencies; SLC Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills, or CALS; SLC State Transformation in Action Recognition, or STAR

Mitchell Gray.................. mitchell.gray@csg.org Research Assistant Contact for general research on state government policies and practices

Lily Schieber........................... lschieber@csg.org Logistics and Administrative Coordinator Contact for SLC Annual Meeting; SLC Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills, or CALS; social media

Susan Lanter...............................slanter@csg.org Finance and Events Coordinator Contact for accounts payable and receivable; SLC Annual Meeting

Neil Johnson......................... njohnson@csg.org Operations Coordinator Contact for general accounting; property management; SLC Annual Meeting

IN MEMORIAM Lori Moore CSG remembers Lori Moore, director of operations and programs, whose tenure with the SLC spanned more than a decade. Her contributions had tremendous impact.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Visit slcatlanta.org to browse SLC publications and research by issue areas of your interest.

Through the State Transformation in Action Recognition, or STAR, award, CSG South recognizes impactful, creative, effective and transferable state government solutions. Submissions for the recognition of innovative programs are accepted from a wide array of state agencies, departments and institutions operating within the executive, legislative and judicial governmental branches. For more information, and to become part of this regional initiative sharing the most creative and effective state government programs in the South, visit slcatlanta.org/STAR or contact Nick Bowman at nbowman@csg.org or (404) 633-1866.

csg serves the states

CSG MIDWEST/MIDWESTERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE Indiana State Sen. Ed Charbonneau MLC 2018 Chair

2018 EVENTS National Transportation Stakeholders Forum

No matter what business we’re in, ultimately we’re in the business of people and relationships. CSG provides members with the opportunity to develop the kind of relationships that will serve states well in the long run. And in turn, those relationships are conducive to job creation, workforce development and economic growth.”

s the 2018 MLC Chair, Indiana state Sen. Ed Charbonneau said he hopes to highlight the importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship. He said people don’t always understand, and therefore don’t appreciate, the significance of that relationship.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

“As each other’s number one trading partner making the border as seamless as possible for the transaction of business between our nations is extremely important to our economic future,” he said. “I can’t emphasize enough the value of doing whatever we can to facilitate the movement of commerce between our countries. That’s why I’m so excited about the opportunity to be the chair of the MLC at a time when we are preparing to take the MLC Annual Meeting to the province of Manitoba for the first time.”

Charbonneau initially got involved with CSG through MLC’s Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development. He said he enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to sharpen his leadership skills while connecting with legislators from across the Midwest. “I’ve remained involved with CSG ever since,” he said. “I like the fact that CSG brings all three branches of state government together, and I value the opportunity to discuss common challenges with colleagues from across the region and across the country.”

As a tremendous resource for state leaders and clearinghouse of information and ideas related to the policy challenges facing states, CSG provides invaluable opportunities for bringing people together, Charbonneau said. “No matter what business we’re in, ultimately we’re in the business of people and relationships,” he said. “CSG provides members with the opportunity to develop the kind of relationships that will serve states well in the long run. And in turn, those relationships are conducive to job creation, workforce development and economic growth. When CSG brings people together, it brings minds and experiences together. A CSG forum becomes a highly creative atmosphere that frequently leads to the discovery of solutions to common problems.” Two intertwined issues facing Indiana and other states in the Midwest are workforce development and drug addiction. As states continue efforts to attract new businesses, the demand for a trained, job-ready workforce becomes a critical issue, Charbonneau said. “With unemployment numbers improving, the pool of workers to draw from continues to shrink. When you throw on top of that the effect of drugs on the workforce, the problem is compounded,” he said. “Drug abuse is an urgent public health problem, but it also poses economic challenges by making it harder for employers to find and keep good workers.”

June 4–7 | Omaha, Nebraska Staff Contact: Lisa Janairo | ljanairo@csg.org

73rd Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference July 15–18 | Winnipeg, Manitoba Staff Contact: Cindy Andrews | candrews@csg.org Indiana state Sen. Ed Charbonneau, chair of the MLC, and Manitoba Speaker Myrna Driedger, chair of the MLC host committee, will host the four-day event— the premier meeting for the Midwest’s state and pro vincial legislators. Through its mix of speakers, sessions on public policy, networking opportunities and professional development workshops, the meeting gives attendees the unique chance to learn from and collaborate with their legislative colleagues from other states and provinces. The family friendly event will offer a number of activities in the Winnipeg area for the spouses, adult guests and children of attendees.

24th Annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development Aug. 10–14 | Minneapolis, Minnesota Staff Contact: Laura Tomaka | ltomaka@csg.org BILLD is an intensive, five-day educational and training opportunity for newer state legislators, offering them a unique opportunity to heighten their leadership and policymaking skills and meet the challenges facing state government as they become tomorrow’s leaders. The agenda includes a rigorous curriculum of leadership development workshops, policy analysis seminars and public service skills training. BILLD focuses on major issues facing state governments, such as education, corrections, health care and economic development, along with skills development training such as negotiation and conflict resolution, time and focus management, and communications and speechmaking training.

Great Lakes Legislative Caucus Annual Meeting Sept. 20–22 | Erie, Pennsylvania Staff Contact: Lisa Janairo | ljanairo@csg.org The Great Lakes Legislative Caucus is a nonpartisan group of state and provincial lawmakers from eight U.S. states—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—and two Canadian provinces—Ontario and Québec. CSG Midwest provides staffing services for the caucus.

regional roundup | midwest IA • IL • IN • KS • MI • MN • ND • NE • OH • SD • WI • AB • MB • ON • SK

PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES

KEY STAFF

PUBS & RESOURCES CONTINUED

Executive Leadership

2017

Stateline Midwest

Planning Guide for Shipments of Radioactive Material through the Midwestern States

Michael H. McCabe.............mmccabe@csg.org Director

Vo l. 26, No. 8 • S e p te m b e r 2017

THE MIDWESTERN OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS

INSIDE CSG Midwest Issue Briefs 2-3 • Agriculture: States and siting regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations • Economic Development: Wisconsin’s pending deal with Foxconn • Criminal Justice & Public Safety: Nebraska law aims to help people if they can’t pay fines • Great Lakes Legislative Caucus: New plan after Asian carp found nearer to Lake Michigan

Around the Region 4 Occupational license reforms in the Midwest, and a new national project to ease interstate licensure

Capital Closeup 5 Kim Reynolds’ transition to governor prompted a close look of the state’s succession laws

Question of the Month 5 Do states prohibit suspension of driver ’s licenses for failure to pay fines/fees?

Profile 8 Indiana House Majority Caucus Chair Rep. Kathy Kreag Richardson

FirstPerson 9 Ohio Rep. Jonathan Dever on legislation to help victims of human trafficking rebuild their lives

CSG News & Events 10 BILLD begins its Minnesota chapter, and legislators tour the U.S.-Canada border at Detroit-Windsor

Capitol Clips 12 • New Illinois laws ease transition from prison • Nebraska aims to keep pregnant teens in class • Michigan’s tax incentives for high-paying jobs • Two-state tax reciprocity deal dead, for now

Stateline Midwest is published 11 times a year by the Midwestern Office of The Council of State Governments. Annual subscription rate: $60. To order, call 630.925.1922.

CSG Midwestern Office Staff Michael H. McCabe, Director Tim Anderson, Publications Manager Jon Davis, Assistant Editor/Policy Analyst Cindy Calo Andrews, Assistant Director Ilene K. Grossman, Assistant Director Lisa R. Janairo, Program Director Laura Kliewer, Senior Policy Analyst Gail Meyer, Office Manager Laura A. Tomaka, Senior Program Manager Kathy Treland, Administrative Coordinator and Meeting Planner Katelyn Tye, Policy Analyst

Departmental Specialists

New plans for K-12 success New direction in accountability puts emphasis on student growth, postsecondary readiness, and chronic absenteeism

Tim Anderson......................tanderson@csg.org

by Tim Anderson (tanderson@csg.org)

n the coming years, the Midwest’s legislators are likely to hear much more about and be asked to act on a range of issues surrounding education accountability. How well are elementary and middle schools doing on our state’s measures of academic growth among all students, at all learning levels? Are our high schools adequately preparing young people for success in college and/or careers? Do our schools provide for a well-rounded education and a climate conducive to learning? How prevalent is chronic absenteeism among our state’s students, and what policies can reduce it? What type of state interventions have helped turn around the lowest-performing schools? These issues aren’t new, and certainly policymakers have tried to tackle them in the past, but they will get even more attention because of the Every Student Succeeds Act and, in particular, new state plans in this region to implement it. This 2015 federal law (along with some of the waivers granted to states under its federal predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act) has ushered in a new era in the statefederal relationship on education — more flexibility for states, including new options for evaluating schools and intervening in low-performing ones. “We’re not seeing any cookie-cutter plans,” Abigail Potts, director of college, career and civic readiness for the National Association of State Boards of Education, says about the state ESSA plans, which had to be submitted in September to the U.S. Department of Education. “They’re all pursuing equity and excellence in education, but they all reflect different state priorities and visions.” There are, however, some notable trends emerging in school accountability across the states. Here is a look at some of them.

The move beyond proficiency In August, Illinois became the first Midwestern state to have its ESSA plan

Status of states’ Every Student Succeeds Act plans in Midwest (as of end of August)

Plan approved by U.S. Department of Education in August Initial plan submitted in spring; revised plan still needs approval from U.S. Department of Education Plan to be submitted in September for U.S. Department of Education approval

approved by the U.S. Department of Education. One of the big changes in Illinois will be a shift away from evaluating schools largely on their percentage of students who have reached levels of proficiency (based on their standardized test scores in math and reading). Instead, for K-8 schools, Illinois will focus more on student progress — comparing test scores from one year to the next to see how much a student has grown academically, regardless of whether he or she has reached proficiency. Under Illinois’ new accountability system, academic growth will receive more

Publications Manager

than two times the weight as proficiency: 50 percent of the state’s total evaluation of K-8 school performance vs. the weight of 20 percent given to levels of student proficiency in math and English/language arts. The Illinois proposal stands out among ESSA plans for how much it stresses academic growth, says Brendan Wright, editorial director of the Fordham Institute. However, he adds that every state will now be using academic growth (to varying degrees) as part of its overall assessment of the performance of elementary and middle schools. “In the early years of No Child Left Behind, that wasn’t a part of state accountability systems at all,” Wright says. “Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, it wasn’t a requirement. But it’s what states have chosen as another academic indicator [besides the mandate that they still track rates of proficiency]. “That is a huge improvement.” As a result, schools will get credit when their children make significant academic progress, even if those students haven’t yet reached proficiency. Many states, too, will give schools credit when students move beyond proficiency to higher levels of achievement (“advanced,” for example). “Before, schools and teachers were incentivized to focus on ‘bubble kids’ — those students just around that line of proficiency,” Wright says. In contrast, many of the new accountability systems will reflect how well schools are helping all levels of learners. In South Dakota, for example, academic

Cindy Calo Andrews........... candrews@csg.org Assistant Director

Jon Davis........................................jdavis@csg.org Policy Analyst and Assistant Editor

Ilene K. Grossman..............igrossman@csg.org Assistant Director

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6

States are developing new ways of evaluating K-12 schools and holding them accountable. Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, the lowest-performing schools must be identified and provided with evidence-based supports that lead to better student outcomes.

Stateline Midwest—a monthly newsletter of

the Midwestern Legislative Conference. This publication keeps members up to date on policy issues impacting their states, actions being taken by the region’s 11 state legislatures, and work being done by the MLC and The Council of State Governments.

Midwestern Radioactive Materials Transportation Committee Newsletter—

a monthly e-newsletter focusing on issues and state and federal policies related to the trans portation and storage of radioactive materials.

Lisa R. Janairo........................... ljanairo@csg.org Program Director

Laura Kliewer............................lkliewer@csg.org Senior Policy Analyst

Gail Meyer.................................. gmeyer@csg.org

INITIATIVES

Office Manager

Laura A. Tomaka..................... ltomaka@csg.org Senior Program Manager

Kathy Treland...........................ktreland@csg.org Administrative Coordinator and Meeting Planner

Katelyn Tye.......................................ktye@csg.org Policy Analyst

Great Lakes News for Legislators—

Under the Dome—a training initiative that provides customized policy briefings and professional development workshops on select topics to lawmakers in their own capitols.

701 E. 22nd Street, Suite 110 Lombard, IL 60148 p 630.925.1922 | csgmidwest.org

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

a quarterly e-newsletter focusing on Great Lakes- related policy issues and distributed to Great Lakes Legislative Caucus members and other legislators and staff who share an interest in promoting the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes.

BRINGING RESOURCES & IDEAS TO YOUR CAPITOL

csg serves the states

THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS WEST 2018 EVENTS

Utah State Sen. Stuart Adams CSG West 2018 Chair

Border Legislative Conference

States function

better when we work

Spring 2018 l TBD Contact: mcastaneda@csg.org borderlegislators.org

Border Legislative Academy

as laboratories of

July 12–15, 2018 l San Diego, California Contact: mcastaneda@csg.org

experience different

Legislative Council on River Governance

innovation. As we

problems and try to solve those, sharing

Aug. 20–21, 2018 l Butte, Montana Contact: jmiller@csg.org csgwest.org/programs/LEGISLATIVECOUNCILON RIVERGOVERANCE.aspx

experiences with other states helps improve

policies nationwide.”

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

tah state Sen. Stuart Adams will focus his time as the 2018 CSG West Chair creating opportunities for state leaders to share insights and ideas.

“The number one issue that any legislator can deal with is education. It’s essential,” Adams said. “I believe education for states is as significant as national defense is for the federal government. If you have an educated workforce and a vibrant “My hope is that as 2018 CSG West chair I can education system, a lot of these problems we help legislators be more effective by giving have can be solved. People are our biggest asset, them the ability to share ideas with each other and the biggest asset to people is education.” through regional and national CSG meetings,” Adams said. “States function better when we In order to work together on these policy issues work as laboratories of innovation. As we exand more, Adams said it is important for state perience different problems and try to solve leaders who are already involved with CSG to those, sharing experiences with other states invite their colleagues to get involved, especially helps improve policies nationwide.” within their regions. Adams has served nine years in the Utah state “CSG’s regional structure is a strength of the orSenate and is currently the majority whip. He ganization,” Adams said. “This structure allows also serves as the chairman of the Military Inleaders to get to know their colleagues and share stallation Development Authority. He previously successes. Sharing ideas helps you be more efserved more than four years in the Utah House fective and helps you become better a leader.” of Representatives and as chairman of the Utah The CSG West Annual Meeting will be held in Transportation Commission. Adam’s home state of Utah on Sept. 11–15, 2018. According to Adams, Medicaid, infrastructure “I’m excited to have the convention here in spending and tax reform will be important policy issues for states in his region in the com- Utah,” Adams said. “It will be a great opportunity to make new connections and share ing year, but education policy will be at the innovative ideas.” top of the list.

71st CSG West Annual Meeting Sept. 11–15, 2018 l Snowbird, Utah The CSG West Annual Meeting provides legislators, legislative staff and private sector stakeholders unparalleled opportunities to share their experiences and learn from regional/national experts and insightful leaders. All CSG West policy committees, task forces and leadership convene during the Annual Meeting. This provides substantive engagement in both regionally and nationally relevant topics such as energy, public lands, education, fiscal affairs, health, economic development, trade, water, regional trends, the environment and more.

Legislative Service Agency & Research Directors Training Seminar Sept. 25–27, 2018 l Colorado Springs, Colorado Contact: jschanze@csg.org csgwest.org/legislativeacademy/WesternLegislative ServiceAgency.aspx

regional roundup | west AK • AZ • CA • CO • HI • ID • MT • NM • NV • OR • UT • WA • WY • AB • AS • BC • GU • MP

EVENTS CONTINUED

2018 Western Legislative Academy

PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES

KEY STAFF

Biweekly e-newsletter Regional Roundup

Executive Leadership

CSG West publishes a biweekly email newsletter called Regional Roundup, which provides updates on CSG West activities and events, and stories on issues important to Western legislators and others who care about the West. To sign up for Regional Roundup, visit CSGWest.org. Follow CSG West on Twitter @CSGWest!

Edgar E. Ruiz....................................eruiz@csg.org Director

Departmental Specialists Adrian Alvarado...................aalvarado@csg.org

Nov. 28–Dec. 1, 2018

Database & Administrative Meetings Coordinator

CO LO R A DO S PRI N G S

INITIATIVES Apply online at w w w.c s gw e s t.o r g / w l a

Applications due April 23, 2018 “I was so impressed with the training and found it so valuable.” I D A H O R E P. M E L I S S A W I N T R O W

2 G OA L S Helping Legislators Become More Effective Building Stronger State Legislative Institutions

Western Legislative Academy Nov. 28–Dec. 1, 2018 Colorado Springs, Colorado Convened in Colorado Springs, the Western Legislative Academy, or WLA, is a three-and-a-half-day program of extensive skill building provided by national experts. The classroom work is hosted at the Historic Penrose House with the assistance of the El Pomar Foundation. Participants receive training in the history of legislative institutions, the art of public decision making, ethics, time management, consensus building, communications, and leadership styles. Each session provides great opportunities to learn from both trainers and each other. In 2018, the WLA will host its 19th class. Participants in the program must be in their first four years of service and are selected for participation based on their dedication to public service, commitment to the institution of the legisla ture, and their desire to improve both their own effectiveness, as well as the legislative process as a whole.

Director of Policy & International Programs

Furthering State-Federal Cooperation

Kimberly Clark..............................kclark@csg.org

CSG West is part of a coalition of regional, multibranch and bipartisan associations working to promote a stronger state-federal relationship. This includes the implementation of shared principles of federalism and seeking meaningful state consultation.

Logistics & Meeting Coordinator

Strengthening North American Engagement The Western U.S. has the unique distinction of sharing international borders with both Canada and Mexico. As such, CSG West capitalizes on such geographic opportunities to promote binational and continental cooperation and foster understanding through several programs. This includes the Border Legislative Conference and the Border Legislative Academy which promote cooperation and provide professional development to legis lators of the U.S.-Mexico border region, and the Canada Relations Committee that focuses on shared concerns among western U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Rich Lindsey............... rlindsey@wyoming.com Policy Consultant

Erica Miller...................................emiller@csg.org Programs & Communications Manager

Jeff Miller.......................................jmiller@csg.org Policy Analyst

Anne Power............................... apower@csg.org Development Assistant

Jennifer Schanze...................jschanze@csg.org Director of Operations

The Legislative Council on River Governance The Legislative Council on River Governance, or LCRG, convenes lawmakers from the Columbia River Basin states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington to address issues of mutual concern and to share best practices.

Westrain The Westrain program provides in-state training for legislators and staff on a variety of professional development topics. These include communications, time management, negotiations, consensus- building, conflict resolution and ethics. Capacity trainings are tailored to meet the specific needs of state legislatures.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Contact: emiller@csg.org csgwest.org/legislativeacademy/WesternLegislative Academy.aspx

Martha Castañeda.........mcastaneda@csg.org

csg serves the states

CSG JUSTICE CENTER John Tilley Brings Kentucky’s Approach to Fair Hiring to CSG Justice Center’s Board If we want employers to be fair and give people a chance to put their past behind them, we need to start at the state level with our own hiring practices.”

2018 EVENTS Putting People with Criminal Records to Work: A National Business Roundtable Feb. 27, 2018 | Washington, D.C. The CSG Justice Center will launch a national business roundtable among federal, state and local officials; cross-sector business leaders; and people directly impacted by the criminal justice system to support the hiring of people who have criminal records. The roundtable will feature best practices and promising approaches from business leaders and government officials across the country who have worked to understand and address the challenges of putting people who have criminal records on pathways to employment. With the goal of expanding the base of businesses engaged in conversations about hiring people who have criminal records, this roundtable will also help familiarize policymakers and business leaders with record clearance policies that may impact hiring decisions.

by Ashleigh Fryer

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

or Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabi- “It needs to start with us,” Tilley said. “If we want net Secretary John Tilley, there’s a distinct employers to be fair and give people a chance difference between having a job and having a to put their past behind them, we need to start career—a job is a paycheck, but a career is a at the state level with our own hiring practices.” plan for the future. For people returning to their Nationally, more than 70 million adults have a communities after incarceration, having that criminal record, many of whom are unable to plan is even more essential to their success. find a job due to barriers resulting from their “Meaningful work, stable work—that’s the kind records, according to the National Employment of work that sustains an individual and his or Law Project. her family,” said Tilley, who is a member of The Although some businesses have been at the Council of State Governments Justice Center’s forefront of hiring people with criminal records, Executive Committee. “Not just jobs, but careers. many of these business owners experience That’s our real goal.” difficulty balancing fair hiring expectations with That’s why, in March 2017, Kentucky Gov. Matt liability and brand concerns. Bevin launched Justice to Journeyman, a joint To help address this national issue at the local initiative of the Kentucky Labor Cabinet and the level, the CSG Justice Center has helped faciliJustice and Public Safety Cabinet, which helps tate 35 roundtable discussions in 24 states that people incarcerated in the state’s prisons and brought together business leaders and govjuvenile facilities earn a nationally recognized ernment officials focused on understanding journeyman credential in a skilled trade. and addressing challenges associated with “We’re working to make employers aware that putting people with criminal records on paths we have a lot of talent in our returning citizens,” to employment. Tilley said. “And if we can help these people In an effort to increase the scale of these conhone their skills while they’re incarcerated, and versations, the CSG Justice Center will hold the then match those skills to the ones employers bipartisan National Business Roundtable on say they’re looking for in the field, we’re setting Feb. 27, 2018, which will be co-hosted by Bevin folks up for success.” and will consist of professionals from businesses Doubling down on his investment in the futures of all sizes and across various sectors, as well as of people leaving Kentucky jails and prisons, in chamber of commerce representatives and peoFebruary 2017, Bevin signed an executive order ple with criminal records. The roundtable will removing questions about convictions and highlight best practices for considering a crimcriminal history from applications for jobs in the inal record in hiring decisions and strategies for state executive branch to help people “get their chambers of commerce to convene and support foot in the door.” employers in making these hiring decisions.

JMHCP/SCA National Conference, December 14, 2015 Photo Courtesy CSG Justice Center

Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Conference June 25–28, 2018 | Washington, D.C. The CSG Justice Center will convene practitioners, researchers and public officials to discuss approaches for developing successful criminal justice and mental health partnerships to reduce the prevalence of people who have mental illnesses in the criminal justice system. The conference will bring together past and present recipients of federal funding through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, or JMHCP, a program directed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, or BJA.

justice center roundup | dc

PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES 50-State Report on Public Safety Expected release: Early January 2018

Series of tip sheets to help reentry professionals build relationships with local housing service providers to assist people who have criminal records in securing affordable and stable housing Expected release: April 2018

Web-based self-assessment tool to support jurisdictions to collect data on the number of people who have mental illnesses in jails and track progress Expected release: May 2018

Face to Face: Connecting Policymakers to People Involved with the Correctional System Expected release: June 2018

Cross-system planning framework engaging state leaders to improve health and criminal justice outcomes Expected release: July 2018

Annual States Deliver Results Report: Successful Strategies to Reduce Recidivism through Evidence-Based Policy and Practice Expected release: August 2018

Reentry Matters Report: Innovative Strategies from Second Chance Act Grantees Expected release: August 2018

National Report on Criminal Record Clearance Policies Expected release: September 2018

New Mexico IOYouth Initiative Final Report Expected release: October 2018

National Reentry Resource Center Newsletter Monthly roundup

Criminal Justice/Behavioral Health Newsletter

Face to Face is a national initiative launched by

the CSG Justice Center, in partnership with the Association of State Correctional Administrators, the National Center for Victims of Crime, and JustLeadershipUSA that challenges all elected officials to participate in a public activity where they can interact with formerly or currently incarcerated people, corrections officers, victims of crime, and others who have firsthand experience with the criminal justice system.

Justice Reinvestment brings together state and

local officials from all three branches of government and across party lines to analyze data, listen to criminal justice stakeholders, and review the latest research to design and implement improvements to policy that reduce spending on corrections and reinvest in strategies that increase public safety and strengthen communities.

KEY STAFF Executive Leadership Suzanne Brown-McBride.............smcbride@csg.org Acting Director

Margaret Schramm Horn..................mhorn@csg.org Deputy Director, Finance, Operations & Administration

Division and Special Project Directors Andrew Barbee..................................abarbee@csg.org Director, Research

Michael Clark.........................................mclark@csg.org Director, External Affairs

Dr. Richard Cho......................................... rcho@csg.org Director, Behavioral Health

Marshall Clement..........................mclement@csg.org Director, State Initiatives

David D’Amora.................................ddamora@csg.org

The Improving Outcomes for Youth (IOYouth) Initiative helps states align their policies, practices and resource allocation with what research shows works to improve outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system. States receive intensive technical assistance from the CSG Justice Center to undergo a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of their juvenile justice system; develop policy options to improve outcomes for youth based on this assessment; and translate these policy options into legislative and appropriations changes.

Director, Special Projects

The Reentry and Employment Project is focused on uniting business leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from the corrections and workforce development fields to improve reentry and employment outcomes for people returning to their communities after incarceration. The CSG Justice Center provides technical assistance and tools to help jurisdictions align correctional and workforce practices to support effective reentry, and promotes dialogue across the country among business leaders and government officials.

Policy

Stepping Up is a national initiative to help advance

Senior Policy Advisor, State Initiatives

counties’ efforts to reduce the prevalence of people who have mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders in local jails. Since its launch in 2015 by the CSG Justice Center, the National Association of Counties, and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, more than 400 counties have signed on to the Stepping Up initiative. Eight states have held Stepping Up summits focused on strategies to reduce the number of people who have mental illnesses in local jails, and three additional state summits are slated for 2018.

22 Cortlandt St., Floor 22 New York, NY 10007 p 212.482.2320 | csgjusticecenter.org

Dr. Tony Fabelo....................................tfabelo@csg.org Director, Texas Initiatives

Stefan Lobuglio...............................slobuglio@csg.org Director, Corrections & Reentry

Dr. Fred Osher.........................................fosher@csg.org

Director of Health Systems & Services Policy

Karen Watts............................................kwatts@csg.org Director, Communications

Steve Allen................................................sallen@csg.org Senior Policy Advisor, State Initiatives

Kati Habert...........................................khabert@csg.org Deputy Program Director, Behavioral Health

Risë Haneberg............................... rhaneberg@csg.org Senior Policy Advisor, Behavioral Health

Dr. Nicole Jarrett................................. njarrett@csg.org Deputy Division Director, Corrections & Reentry

Mack Jenkins.....................................mjenkins@csg.org Carl Reynolds...................................creynolds@csg.org Senior Legal & Policy Advisor

Nina Salomon................................. nsalomon@csg.org Project Manager, Corrections & Reentry

Chidi Umez............................................. cumez@csg.org

Project Manager, Corrections & Reentry

Josh Weber............................................ jweber@csg.org Deputy Division Director, Corrections & Reentry

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Monthly roundup

INITIATIVES

TEN QUESTIONS WITH K E N T U C K Y S E N AT E P R E S I D E N T

Photo Courtesy Bud Kraft

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers has served in the Kentucky General Assembly since 1997 and represents the 25th Senate District, which encompasses Clay, Knox, Lee, Owsley, Whitley and Wolfe counties in the Southeastern part of the state. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as Senate majority floor leader in 2009, a position he served in until being elected Senate president in 2012 and again in 2014 and 2016. Stivers is serving as CSG’s 2018 national chair.

As The Council of State Governments 2018 national chair, what do you see as the most important role for CSG in the states?

“I would say to grow participation from all branches of government in as many states as possible in conjunction with creating more opportunities for job creation through trade and tourism.”

Tell us about one of your favorite CSG experiences, whether at a national conference or a regional meeting.

“My favorite experience was being the chair of the 2016 Southern Legislative Conference and in Lexington, Kentucky. The exposure we were able to generate for my home state was huge and, from the feedback I received, SLC in Lexington was recognized by many participants as one of the best conferences they had ever attended.”

10 questions

What advice do you have for elected officials on how to utilize CSG to foster the exchange of insights and ideas between states?

Can you tell me about a time when cooperation within a committee helped you achieve a goal you might not have otherwise accomplished?

“My advice would be to go into the conference with a general goal of what specific policy issues or ideas you want to learn more about. That way you can look at the menu of meetings and lectures that CSG offers and utilize the talented individuals on the CSG staff. The CSG staff possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise in virtually any subject area, and they also have significant connections with other policy experts at the state, federal and even international levels.”

“When I served on the Kentucky Senate Education Committee early on in my career, a couple of my colleagues and I decided collectively after many discussions to expand the Governor’s Scholars Program in the state. We went from two schools to three schools and took it from about 700 students to over 1,000 students statewide.

What policy issues will you be focused on in 2018?

“Even-numbered years are when the Kentucky Legislature tackles the state’s biennial budget and road plan, so those items are always at the top of our priority list in what we call “budget sessions.” Beyond that, we are also in the process of putting together a bill that will address our state’s ailing pension systems.”

What do you believe is the most important issue the Kentucky Legislature has tackled during your time as Senate president?

“The budget is always an important issue and although we are tasked with passing a budget every two years, it is the ultimate policy document that is never an easy task to complete. Another important issue is the opioid epidemic. We have passed significant legislation to combat this epidemic in recent years and have certainly made progress, but it is an ongoing battle that we continue to fight each and every day.”

The Governor’s Scholars Program makes a great difference in the lives of students preparing for college and eventually careers and it gives participants a sense of pride in their home state. There are certainly a number of comparisons that can be drawn between the committees in the Kentucky Legislature and CSG’s committees. When you get a group of passionate, diverse minds together working toward one goal, it’s amazing what you can accomplish.”

What drives you to continue serving as a legislator?

“I think it’s the desire and the ability to make things happen for my state and my community. That and the thrill and satisfaction of passing bills that you know will immediately impact people you know, people you don’t know, and even people that are yet to be born. For example, we amended budget language in 2015 that made it possible to fund a new cancer research center at the University of Kentucky. That research center will benefit Kentuckians for generations to come; people that I will never meet. It’s rewarding to be involved with projects that you know will leave a lasting effect on our citizens.”

… the thrill and satisfaction of passing bills that you know will immediately impact people you know, people you don’t know, and even people that are yet to be born. It’s rewarding to be involved with projects that you know will leave a lasting effect on our citizens.” » Senate President Robert Stivers, Kentucky

Was there a piece of advice you received early on in your legislative career that was particularly helpful to you?

“Learn about everything but don’t get involved in everything. Pick your fights.”

So much of the work of state legislatures occurs in committee. What are the characteristics of a good committee member?

“Good committee members learn the subject matter of the committee and then actively participate in that committee as much as possible.”

What are some resources that newly elected state legislators should consider to help them in their new roles?

“They should utilize their internal staff and the research groups provided. I would also utilize the external sources of information, such as the CSG or SLC staffs, that have knowledge of policy issues in other states that are similarly situated or have similar problems. Another important resource is your state’s code of conduct or code of ethics, especially considering current events.”

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

csg serves the states

A RESURGENT YEAR FOR

INTERSTATE COMPACTS by Dan Logsdon

nterstate compacts are fast becoming the preferred tool to promote workforce mobility and multistate economic development, especially in the health care sector.

Interstate Compacts are formal, binding contracts between or among states. In 2017, states continued to pass compact legislation addressing professional licensure portability and reciprocity across state lines. Twenty-one states adopted 30 bills approving interstate compacts for professional licensure. Two new professions—physical therapists and emergency medical technicians—saw their compacts become operational, and states continued to join the new Enhanced Nurse Licensure and Interstate Medical Licensure compacts.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

“I think it is fair to say we’ve had a reawakening of interest in interstate compacts generally and particularly in the area of interstate portability for occupational licensing, particularly within the health professions,” said Rick Masters, special counsel to the CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts.

Masters noted the ability of compacts to adapt to all licensed professions. He said states are looking to expand compacts “into other licensed professions that may or may not require college training or graduate degrees but that nonetheless are equally important to our overall economic well-being.” The Physical Therapy Compact Commission, or PTCC, and the Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate CompAct, or

REPLICA, reached their threshold number of states and created interstate commissions in 2017. REPLICA Executive Director Sue Prentiss believes that in addition to easing the ability of emergency responders to serve patients, REPLICA is “an advancement for our profession from the perspective of creating transparency and portability across state lines where patients need access, and the closest EMS personnel may be across a state line. It reduces barriers for folks that have to carry licenses in multiple states.” Jeff Rosa with The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy sees the new physical therapy compact in a similar light. “We are able to really address some of the issues related to portability and mobility in not just physical therapy, but a lot of health care professions,” Rosa said. “The compact is letting us really be able to address that to ensure that ultimately the consumers of physical therapy services will be able to have better access to needed services.” While occupational licensure is certainly a driving force today, interstate compacts can help states with a wide range of issues where multistate cooperation is crucial. A key area in 2017 where compacts played an integral role for states was disaster recovery. With three major hurricanes hitting the United States and its territories in September, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, or EMAC, took the lead in coordinating a state-to-state response.

EMAC is administered by the National Emergency Management Association, or NEMA. According to NEMA Executive Director Trina Sheets, EMAC is the legal mechanism through which states can share resources during times of declared emergencies. “EMAC provides protections for those who are deployed including workers’ compensation, tort liability, reimbursement and licensure. So, that is the value of the compact, those legal protections for the first responders that are deployed to help,” Sheets said. ”The state that is impacted and is requesting those resources has the opportunity to look at the skills and qualifications and licensure of those that are coming into their state and either accept or reject them, so it works fairly seamlessly within EMAC.” While EMAC responds to every disaster with the same level of attention, 2017 was particularly challenging for some states, including Florida and Texas. “Hurricane Katrina was the largest activation for EMAC in its history,” Sheets said. “This string of hurricanes will be the second most active season that we have seen.” As of September, nearly 4,000 personnel had been deployed to Florida and 5,000 to Texas and “those numbers will continue to rise,” Sheets said. The diversity of issues being addressed by interstate compacts today—including workforce mobility, criminal justice, natural

interstate compacts year in review

The diversity of issues being addressed by interstate compacts today— including workforce mobility, criminal justice, natural resource management and disaster relief—is a continuing endorsement of the power and adaptability of these unique tools for states. resource management and disaster relief—is a continuing endorsement of the power and adaptability of these unique tools for states.

“We continue to move forward in our mission, which is developing uniform standards for products within the jurisdiction of the compact,” IIPRC Executive Director Karen Schutter said. “We are seeing more companies use the compact, which is one of the reasons the regulators and the states came together … to improve speed to market and uniformity at the state level so that we preserve our authority over insurance regulation.”

States are also using the interstate compacts to meet the unique educational challenges of military families due to frequent relocations. The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission, or MIC3, is the newest of the 50-state compacts now in existence. The MIC3 assists service families with eligibility, enrollment, placement and graduation. According to MIC3 Executive Director Cherise Imai, 2017 was “focused on compliance, logistics and revamping our website and other operational issues. In July 2017, we completed a three-year strategic plan, rebranded the compact and are about to launch our revamped website. These things will help us to

As we move into 2018, more states will be looking to expand upon the use of interstate compacts for occupational licensure mobility. Compact legislation for licensure reciprocity and portability are pending in legislatures across the country for physicians, nurses, psychologists, physical therapists and emergency management personnel. This list is likely to grow given the success of these compacts. Tennessee state Sen. Bo Watson summed it up last year when speaking about the utility of interstate compacts and professional licensure, especially for the health care professions. “We are going to see this occurring all along the health care continuum partly driven by mobility, partly driven by technology development, partly driven by the desire to increase access to health care … this is a way of using a constitutional right … for states to form compacts while at the same time avoiding nationalism of licensure, which I believe just about every professional is against and certainly every state is against,” Watson said. For more information about the National Center for Interstate Compacts visit, csg.org/NCIC or contact dlogsdon@csg.org.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Another example of effective multistate cooperation is the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission, or IIPRC, which was created by the enactment of the Interstate Insurance Compact. This compact enables states to work cooperatively and “promotes uniformity through application of uniform product standards embedded with strong consumer protections.” In 2017, the IIPRC saw Connecticut adopt the agreement, pushing the compact to 45 states, and Puerto Rico.

“The compact, every year, shows that it is a partnership with regulators, legislators, consumers. We have consumer representatives, industry representatives, and I think it shows that our process of keeping the compact transparent and following the terms of the compact and the bylaws are very important to its operations, and I think we showed that again this year. And that is important to stress,” Schutter said.

refresh and make sure our look and our brand match our vision. We are also focused on the policy, what are the states doing, how we can support them in their mission and make sure we are engaging our stakeholders and make sure we are supporting them as well.”

csg serves the states

CSG Toll Fellow Class of 2017

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Learning to Lead With CSG

State leaders demonstrate unparalleled dedication to their communities, states and our nation. One of the most important parts of CSG’s mission is to support state leaders in their service by offering national and regional development opportunities. While leadership is an innate trait for many public servants, learning to lead is a skill that must be continually practiced and honed. That is why CSG offers many training programs for elected and appointed state officials across the nation. We are proud to partner with state leaders in their dedication to continual learning. Read more about these opportunities here!

C SG H EN RY T OLL FELLOWSHIP Aug. 24–28, 2018 | Lexington, KY APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 30, 2018 Each year, the CSG Henry Toll Fellowship, named in honor of CSG founder Henry Wolcott Toll, brings together a group of rising state leaders to Lexington, Kentucky, for an intense week of leadership training. Participants are encouraged to both evaluate and adapt the way they interact with each other and the world around them— setting aside titles, politics and party lines. Designed to help state officials from all three branches take an introspective look at how they view themselves as public servants, colleagues and community members, the program provides a unique experience unlike any other in the nation. The CSG Henry Toll Fellowship targets outstanding rising state government officials from all three branches of government. Elected, appointed and merit officials may all apply. The Toll Fellowship is designed as a “graduate” level program complementing leadership development programs offered by CSG’s regional offices. It is, therefore, suggested but not required that applicants first complete their respective regional program. The list of Toll Fellow alumni is long and distinguished. Past Tolls have achieved great success including serving as governors, secretaries of state, chief justices, speakers and in the U.S. Congress. For more information and to apply for the CSG Toll Fellowship, contact tolls@csg.org or visit csg.org/tolls.

leadership corner

CSG REGIONA L LEA DERSHIP DEV ELOPMENT PROGR AMS CSG SOUTH/SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

The Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills Oct. 13–17, 2018 | Little Rock, AR APPLICATION DEADLINE JULY 31, 2018

The Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills, or CALS, seeks to create skilled, educated and confident state leaders by developing and enhancing core competencies that play a vital role in the service of public officials, in both professional and personal arenas. CALS prepares emerging and mid-career legislative, executive and judicial branch state leaders for their roles in state government. Through activities and instruction focusing on the leadership program’s four central components—communication, conflict resolution, consensus building and critical decision-making—CALS scholars have an opportunity to reinforce and refine these crucial skills. For more information and to apply for the CALS leadership program, please visit slcatlanta.org/CALS.

CSG WEST

Western Legislative Academy Nov. 28–Dec. 1, 2018 | Colorado Springs, CO APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 23, 2018

Eastern Leadership Academy Aug. 26–30, 2018 | Philadelphia, PA APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 15, 2018 Named for Pennsylvania state Sen. Robert J. Thompson—a beloved state and local government leader whose 30-year career was a model of personal and professional integrity, fairness, optimism and humility—the Robert J. Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy, or ELA, annually brings together as many as 30 state and provincial officials from the 18 Eastern region member jurisdictions. This select group of state officials, from all three branches of government, receives training to enhance their leadership and communication skills from a variety of experts in media, education and government. Held in partnership with the Fels Institute of Government, ELA is a unique opportunity to learn with the best and the brightest from across the region. The ELA is designed for legislators, as well as legislative staff, executive branch and judicial branch officials, primarily in the early-mid stages of their government careers. For more information and to apply, please visit csg-erc.org/leadership-academy/.

CSG MIDWEST/MIDWESTERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development Aug. 10–14, 2018 | Minneapolis, MN APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 4, 2018

Each summer, 37 lawmakers from the 11 member states of CSG Midwest and its affiliate members gather for a unique five-day educational experience, the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, or BILLD. Named in honor of the first director of CSG Midwest, the late James Bowhay, the Bowhay Institute is the only leadership training program designed exclusively for Midwestern legislators. BILLD helps newer legislators develop the skills necessary to become effective leaders, informed decision-makers and astute policy analysts. The program offers a unique opportunity for lawmakers to improve their leadership skills and explore the issues of the day with nationally renowned scholars, professional development experts, and legislative leaders and colleagues from across the region. In addition to its focus on leadership training, covering topics such as conflict resolution and negotiation, BILLD includes policy sessions on issues ranging from education and corrections to health care and economic development. The BILLD program is conducted by CSG’s Midwestern Office in cooperation with The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Fellowships are awarded on a competitive, nonpartisan basis by a steering committee of legislators from the region. For more information and to apply, please visit csgmidwest.org/BILLD.

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

Each year CSG West brings together a distinguished national faculty to offer the West’s premier training experience for Western state legislators in their first four years of service. The goals of the Western Legislative Academy, or WLA, are to help newer legislators become more effective and to build stronger state legislative institutions. To that end, a faculty of outstanding academics, corporate, military and public trainers work with a small class of lawmakers who come from each of our 13 Western states. Members of the academy are selected on the basis of their dedication to public service, desire to improve personal legislative effectiveness and commitment to the institution of the legislature. The WLA reinforces CSG West’s mission to provide opportunities for Western state legislators to share good ideas across state borders. For more information and to apply for the WLA program, please visit csgwest.org/legislativeacademy/ WesternLegislativeAcademy.

CSG EAST/EASTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE

csg serves the states

In 2018, I resolve …

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

CSG members and recent Henry Toll Fellowship graduates share their resolutions for the New Year.

… to make a good night’s rest a priority—as a night owl, an early riser and a light sleeper.

… to listen more than I speak. Too often in our political discourse, we speak at one another instead of speaking with each other. I am sure it will make for a great 2018.

REP. AMY A. CARTER • GEORGIA

REP. DAN FORESTAL • INDIANA

… to step outside of my comfort zone. I’m a firm believer that growth comes from disruption. Throwing things out of balance once in a while helps me to find balance in the long term. REP. CHRIS HALL • IOWA

… to continue to become comfortable with the uncomfortable, master moments of connections for lasting impact and work toward positive change. JUSTICE ADRIENNE NELSON • OREGON

member new year’s resolutions

… to maintain a focus on my family and my job, strive to get the balance right between the two, and work to promote the well-being and best interests of the citizens of West Virginia without regard to partisan divides. ROBERT PAULSON • WEST VIRGINIA

GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

… to focus attention on issues facing struggling rural health care providers, through education, collaboration and hopefully legislation to ease the burden of uncompensated care. REP. SUSAN CONCANNON • KANSAS

… to look at everything with new eyes and a fresh perspective. My home state is facing challenges and opportunities like none I’ve ever seen before, and to meet these new experiences with anything but an open mind and innovation would be doing us all a disservice. A good leader has to adapt and learn, and that is my goal for the coming year.

REP. JOHN M. MIZUNO • HAWAII

REP. CHARISSE MILLETT • ALASKA

JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

… to work with all members of our Legislature, seeking to be inclusive of both parties, with a goal of being a solution seeker and consensus builder to ensure health care to our most needy and a focus on significantly reducing homelessness and recidivism, and to provide better access to support services for our homeless veterans.

csg family tree

T H E C S G FA M I LY T R E E A F F I L I AT E S CSG is the only nonpartisan policy organization that represents all three branches of government. As such, we count local and state leaders from the judicial, legislative and executive branches of government from across the nation as part of the CSG family. But our family tree extends beyond government officials to 10 national organizations of state leaders. CSG is proud to partner with organizations representing emergency management personnel, probation and parole officials and many more. CSG Affiliates work in specialized areas and allow CSG to have a deeper impact nationwide. In turn, CSG offers a vast network of members and services, as well as a platform to present their issues to a wider audience.

AAPCA

ASSOCIATION OF AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCIES csg.org/aapca_site

MIC3

APPA

AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION

mic3.net

appa-net.org

NASFA

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FACILITIES ADMINISTRATORS nasfa.net

NASTD

NAS PE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE PERSONNEL EXECUTIVES naspe.net

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORS

NEMA

nastd.org

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION nemaweb.org

SI DO

NHCS L

NATIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS OF STATE LEGISLATORS nhcsl.org

STATE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS sidoamerica.org

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BIG 7 JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS

The Council of State Governments is also a proud member of a network of nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations that represent state and local governments, known as the Big 7. In addition to CSG, the group is comprised of the following organizations.

International City/County Management Association (ICMA) National Association of Counties (NACo) National League of Cities (NLC) National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) National Governors Association (NGA) United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) Together, these organizations advocate for state and local governments at the federal level, speaking with a collective voice to strengthen the critical role of states and municipalities in our federalist system of governance and to advance solutions to the challenges we share.

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for instant, up-to-the-tweet access to what’s happening in state governments.

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CSG’s website is a hub of information, offering the latest news and events for state leaders. There you can find current and archived issues of Capitol Ideas, upcoming dates for policy academies, policy blogs, and more. You can also find us on a variety of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

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SAVE THE DATES! FOR CSG NATIONAL & REGIONAL MEETINGS

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JULY 15–18

JULY 21–25

AUGUST 5–8

SEPTEMBER 11–15

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C S G 2 0 1 8 N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • D E C E M B E R 6 – 8 EARLY REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN AND RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 7