Public polarization has continued to shape how individuals interact with government offices, increasing the complexity of communication for public-facing staff. During this SAIL-hosted webinar discussion, Katie Gilfeather, a licensed clinical social worker and training consultant in organizational excellence, conflict resolution, and mediation, examined how these dynamics affect day-to-day interactions and outlined practical approaches to managing them.
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During CSG West’s recent state visit to Juneau, staff met with legislative leadership and more than 20 Alaska legislators to discuss the priorities shaping the 2026 legislative session. Conversations reflected a state navigating significant decisions in rural health care, workforce policy, and large-scale energy development.
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Across the country, post-pandemic enrollment in public schools has been declining at higher rates than initially projected. A Boston University study found that in Massachusetts in fall 2024, enrollment in public schools was down 2 percent from pre-pandemic trends, whereas enrollment in private and home schools had increased by 14 and 45 percent, respectively.
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Faced with a rising tide of packaging waste, some states are now requiring the producers and distributors of these materials to assume financial responsibility for helping manage their re-use, recycling and disposal. The concept is known as “extended producer responsibility,” a policy option first employed by states 35 years ago when Minnesota (along with New Jersey) adopted an EPR law related to the disposal of rechargeable batteries.
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A unique power of Wisconsin governors is once again the subject of a proposed constitutional amendment, with the Legislature asking voters in November to prevent partial vetoes of spending bills that result in new or increased taxes and fees.
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CSG West is pleased to announce the keynote speakers for the 79th CSG West Annual Meeting, taking place July 7–10, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah: Evy Poumpouras, former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and NBC law enforcement and national security analyst, and Elizabeth Smart, nationally recognized child safety advocate and best-selling author.
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CSG West Policy Consultant Joe Kolman recently presented before the Nevada Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System, offering a regional perspective on wildfire prevention, mitigation, and management efforts. His testimony also highlighted how rising insurance premiums across the West are driving legislative conversations on policy options and reform.
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Across his home state of Wisconsin, Rep. Clint Moses says, “there’s a lot of young people who would love to get into farming and would love to know about acreage that comes available.” A part-time beef producer, Moses himself has been interested in acquiring more land. But among the obstacles for the aspiring next generation of agricultural producers: the limited amount of acreage that becomes available, as well as a lack of knowledge of when it does.
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Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly across healthcare systems, prompting state policymakers to examine how these technologies may influence clinical care, insurance processes and regulatory oversight. As AI tools expand in scope and capability, legislatures and state agencies are evaluating how to approach governance, implementation and oversight.
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As part of broader initiatives to bolster reading scores and overall student achievement, states are increasingly investing in literacy coaches. But what is the role of instructional literacy coaches? And how can they improve student achievement?
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