Historic convening unites Big 7 state and local government organizations to advance shared priorities and reinforce federalism ahead of America’s 250th anniversary
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 23, 2026) — The Council of State Governments (CSG) joined fellow members of the nation’s leading state and local government organizations — collectively known as the “Big 7” — this week in Oklahoma City to lead a historic summit focused on strengthening American federalism and advancing intergovernmental collaboration.
CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins and 2026 CSG Immediate Past National Chair Illinois Sen. Elgie Sims met with federal, state and local leaders to discuss the value of nonpartisan support for state officials. The conversations also highlighted the role organizations like CSG play as trusted resources for policymakers and federal agencies, connecting them with state officials and subject matter experts to generate timely, actionable insights that strengthen legislative and regulatory decision-making on the nation’s emerging policy priorities.
“For more than 90 years, The Council of State Governments has worked to ensure state perspectives are part of national policy conversations,” Adkins said. “Through our work with the Big 7, we strengthen that commitment by elevating state voices and collaborating with our intergovernmental partners.”
Hosted by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), and organized by the National League of Cities (NLC), the summit focused on the importance of coordinated leadership across all levels of government. The discussions highlighted the collective responsibility to protect and advance the essential elements of federalism and the democratic principles that enable effective leadership, shared accountability and better community outcomes.
The first of its kind in nearly 50 years, the summit concluded with a reaffirmed commitment by Big 7 leaders to strengthening the coalition’s partnerships.
“Governors, legislators, mayors, councilmembers, county officials and local government professionals came together to do the work intergovernmental leadership demands at its best: not seeking easy agreement, but engaging in open dialogue, rigorous idea exchange and deliberate trust‑building,” said Big 7 leaders in a joint statement. “What unites us is a shared responsibility to our residents and a common conviction that American federalism — when all its parts are functioning — remains among the most resilient and adaptive forms of self‑governance ever created. We thank Governor Stitt for hosting this gathering and reaffirm our commitment to the hard and necessary work of governing this great nation alongside our federal and intergovernmental partners.”
The Big 7 state and local government organizations are comprised of The Council of State Governments (CSG), the National Governors Association (NGA), the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the National League of Cities (NLC), the National Association of Counties (NACo), the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
