The Council of State Governments

Championing excellence in state governments, 90 years strong.

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

The conversations shaping the future of the states are coming to the heart of Southern California this December.

Join us at the 2026 CSG National Conference in Anaheim, California, where state leaders from all three branches of government will gather to share ideas, build connections and explore solutions to complex policy issues facing the states. #CSG26 #CSGAnaheim

Learn more, https://t.co/mJwT9RCRLu

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

State leaders from Idaho and Maine reflect on the impact of customized technical assistance provided by CSG and the Urban Institute to expand public sector apprenticeships. The assistance is part of a program aimed at advancing economic mobility for low-income rural populations through paid public sector Registered Apprenticeship programs.

https://t.co/Agr4g7QD7G

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

South Dakota Rep. Drew Peterson spoke with @CSGMidwest about the importance of sustainable rural health systems, including the role of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in strengthening and modernizing rural health care nationwide.

Read more about how states in the Midwestern region are utilizing the program.

https://t.co/ntYepnWNji

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

Illinois has adopted a first-in-the-nation requirement for the developers of advanced AI systems to undergo annual, independent third-party audits that evaluate the safety of your frontier AI models. @CSGMidwest

https://t.co/zh66y1sRdw

[CSG South @CSGSouth]

The CALS Class of 2026 has graduated!

After four days of leadership training, practical exercises, and peer learning, Southern state officials concluded this year's program with a graduation celebration in Mobile, Alabama.

📸 Highlights from #CALS2026.

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

The @CSGJC -- in partnership with Arnold Ventures--selected 12 counties to pilot a new framework for identifying and implementing evidence-informed interventions. Learn more about the Counties Aligning Health & Safety initiative:

https://t.co/78KXdjYhBw

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

"The Council of State Governments (CSG) applauds Senators Capito, Whitehouse, Lee and Heinrich for introducing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act."

Read the full statement from CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins: https://t.co/lfc6CrQ2C4

[CSG South @CSGSouth]

December is an important point in CSG South’s committee calendar.

Our six standing policy committees and SAIL will meet virtually throughout the month, sharing perspectives from across the region that help inform our research and programming for the year ahead.

2026 schedule ⬇️

[CSG Justice Center @CSGJC]

Virginia built one of the nation’s most ambitious behavioral health crisis systems—but as it expanded to every county, severe service disparities were revealed. 

We partnered with VA leaders to understand the disparities and develop recommendations for improving the quality standards and funding sustainability. 

Read the recommendations: 
https://t.co/FT6UXBW3vS

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

According to Apprenticeships for America, the U.S. public sector employs more than 23 million workers across federal, state and local governments in nearly every occupation, accounting for 14% of U.S. employment. Their latest report explores efforts at the federal, state and local levels to scale public-sector apprenticeships.

https://t.co/BsVHwhwyem

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

New CSG research explores where data centers are being developed, the policies and financing shaping the buildout, electric grid and infrastructure needs, energy and water consumption, environmental impacts and other factors influencing state approaches.

https://t.co/3VG9VqNPW6

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

While federal guidelines establish operational sideboards, states and local water managers hold the direct responsibility for executing water conservation, infrastructure investments and legal adaptations necessary to survive permanent aridification. The @CSGWEST Colorado River Forum convened state leaders to cover all of this and more. Learn more:

https://t.co/3QsPfV3n4M

[CSG Justice Center @CSGJC]

12 counties have been selected to pilot a new playbook for deciding which behavioral health interventions are best for which people in their court and jail systems. 

"By the end of 2027, I hope to see these counties not just implementing evidence-informed interventions but building the data infrastructure to prove what's working and creating a roadmap that counties across the country can follow." 

Learn more about the counties and the pilot: https://t.co/HPtkYR2I9g

[CSG Justice Center @CSGJC]

Does your work involve juvenile justice? 

Join us and the Justice Training Institute on Oct. 6 for a webinar on supporting crisis stabilization for youth and young adults during reentry.  

Open to people in any state. 

Register now: https://t.co/oEvrUc0fG1

[CSG Justice Center @CSGJC]

Utah helped lay the groundwork for the national 988 system, but after launching it, most police were still responding to mental health calls alone and failing to identify when a crisis was related to substance use. 

We partnered with UT leaders to develop statewide 988 and substance use training for law enforcement. 

Check out our training resources: 
https://t.co/vz37U4uQG0

[CSG South @CSGSouth]

Northern Virginia provided the setting for Southern state policymakers to take a closer look at data center operations and the infrastructure that supports them.

CSG South’s final 2026 Policy Masterclass examined electricity, transmission, water resources, and community infrastructure through expert discussions and a firsthand site visit.

Learn more about the Policy Masterclass Series:
➡️https://t.co/IurjVam8k0

#CSGSouth #PolicyMasterclass

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

There are currently 722 interstate compacts involving states across the @CSGSouth region, spanning areas including occupational licensing, natural resources, and public safety. This webinar examines how interstate compacts are developed, how they move through the legislative process, and the considerations involved in determining when a compact is the appropriate tool.

https://t.co/YV0J7snskw

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

CSG West Housing Committee Recap: https://t.co/6Ml9vKGRuQ

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

Housing is among the most pressing policy issues for state leaders across the nation. In 2026 alone, hundreds of housing bills have been introduced to address affordability and access.

Check out these CSG resources that offer insights on housing through regional policy committees and research reports focused on affordability, inventory shortages and more. ⬇️

[The Council of State Governments @CSGovts]

CSG South Housing Access and Affordability: https://t.co/mKXvn2eR2W