CSG 50-State Scan
A Nonpartisan, State-by-State Policy Research Series
The Council of State Governments has launched its new policy research series, the CSG 50-State Scan, examining today’s top policy priorities through a nonpartisan, state-by-state lens. Each scan in the series will tackle a key policy area by providing a comprehensive look at innovative strategies across our states.
The fifth scan, “The Biotech Frontier: How States Are Partnering with Industry to Advance Patient Care and Biotechnology,” examines the increasingly central role states are taking in shaping the life sciences sector, guiding where companies invest, how research and development is supported, and how communities build the workforce needed to sustain medical innovation.
David Adkins
Executive Director/CEO
The Council of State Governments
As public needs become more complex and expectations for government grow, the 50-State Scan series reflects the commitment of The Council of State Governments to equipping leaders with the insights they need to govern effectively. We’re not prescribing solutions — we’re highlighting practical, state-led strategies that allow leaders to learn from one another and consider what works in different contexts. Government efficiency and accountability were natural starting points, because trust in public institutions begins with transparency, responsiveness and responsible stewardship.
Maximizing the Impact of State Tax Dollars:
A 50-State Overview of Government Performance and Reform Initiatives
This initial installment combines in-depth analysis with data on strategies used in states to improve operational performance, reduce waste and increase transparency. The scan highlights strategies such as:
- Efficiency offices to streamline operations.
- Waste reduction strategies like sunset reviews and zero-based budgeting.
- Performance-based budgeting to align funding with measurable outcomes.
- Oversight and audit mechanisms to monitor public resource use.
Discover more in the press release announcing the first CSG 50-State Scan.
Surveying the Tax Policy Landscape:
A 50-State Review
Building on earlier studies of state tax systems, the second report offers insights into changing economic conditions — from rising living costs to shifting budget priorities — and explores key emerging themes in tax policy, such as:
- Regional economic considerations: Align tax systems with local economies, living costs and constituent burdens.
- Federal–state tax policy synergies: Federal tax changes, such as exemptions on tips, can significantly affect states and territories.
- Sustainable funding: State-level sovereign wealth funds can turn volatile revenue into stable support for public services.
- Policy trade-offs: Flat income taxes may simplify systems but increase costs for lower- and middle-income families.
Discover more in the press release announcing the second CSG 50-State Scan.
Great Expectations:
How U.S. States are Engaging with the Fast-Moving AI Sector
Expanding on previous analyses of state-level AI policy, this report explores the integration of AI into daily operations for business, industry and government leaders. It also provides a benchmarking tool for state leaders to compare AI’s impact in their state with others through seven core measures of technology infrastructure and human talent that drive AI growth:
- Indicator 1: Introduced legislation supporting AI development & innovation
- Indicator 2: Number of Forbes Top 50 AI firms headquartered in each state
- Indicator 3: Venture capital investment in startups by state
- Indicator 4: Number of data centers located in each state
- Indicator 5: Annual net electricity generation in each state
- Indicator 6: Cloud infrastructure capability in each state
- Indicator 7: Percentage of jobs requiring AI skills by state
Discover more in the press release announcing the third CSG 50-State Scan.
Building Healthy Communities,
Strengthening States:
How States Are Meeting Today's Public
Health Challenges
Offering a strategic overview of the public health landscape, the report highlights state-level indicators that help illustrate how health challenges affect workforce readiness, state budgets and community well-being. From these measures and the report’s analysis emerge best practices drawn from shared successes and lessons learned across states:
- Robust data collection: Access to updated, accurate data enables state policymakers to make optimal public health decisions for their constituents.
- Multi-sector partnerships: Public, private and academic sector support can help states determine the public health policies best suited for them.
- State-level collaboration: The sharing of proven or innovative resources like the EMS Compact and regional health coalitions better informs states.
- Focus on rural areas: Solutions such as telehealth or mobile clinics ensure rural residents receive the care they need.
- Accountability and transparency: Connect constituents with their state governments through such methods as social media campaigns.
Discover more in the press release announcing the fourth CSG 50-State Scan.
The Biotech Frontier:
How States Are Partnering with Industry to Advance Patient Care and Biotechnology
Building on existing industry research, the report equips state leaders with new insights into challenges shaping the patient care, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, including analysis of legislative activity, health care costs, patient outcomes and more. Across the states — where more than 1,000 bills have been introduced since Jan. 1, 2025 — four common approaches to advancing health innovation have emerged:
- Implementing financial incentives for economic development
- Establishing collaboration through multi-sector partnerships
- Developing a patient care and biotechnology workforce from relevant talent pools at state universities and degree programs
- Supporting the development of biotechnology infrastructure and programs
Discover more in the press release announcing the fifth CSG 50-State Scan.
CSG is committed to providing data-driven, actionable resources like this to help leaders navigate uncertainty and drive meaningful progress. For questions about the CSG 50-State Scan series or its related resources, please contact the CSG Research team at [email protected].