For at least one year, the Midwest has reversed a longtime trend, with the region as a whole gaining population in 2025 due to domestic migration. In early parts of this decade, and in many years prior to it, the Midwest consistently lost people to other regions, especially the South and West.
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With the signing of LB 258 in February, Nebraska became the Midwest’s fourth state with a separate, and lower, hourly minimum wage for youth workers. The legislative change was made more than two years after voters approved a ballot measure that increased the minimum wage for all workers, to $15 an hour starting in January 2026.
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Celebrated for its breathtaking scenery, cultural richness, and recreational opportunities, Canada’s Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretches along more than 2,250 miles of freshwater coastline and connects more than 170 communities and First Nations. Its goal is to reconnect people to one-fifth of the Earth’s standing freshwater and to each other, catalyzing improvements in many of the communities it joins.
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During CSG West’s recent state visit to Colorado, one theme dominated conversations at the Capitol: water. With snowpack levels at record lows across much of the state, legislators and staff expressed growing concern about the cascading impacts of prolonged drought. From tourism and outdoor recreation to drinking water supplies, environmental health, and the future of the Colorado River, water scarcity is touching nearly every policy area.
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CSG South recently convened a webinar titled “AI and Emerging Tech: Legal Risks and Mitigation,” which explored the legal frameworks shaping AI use in state government, potential liability risks, procurement considerations, and practical mitigation strategies.
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This Issue Brief examines the root causes behind the rapid rise in cropland values relative to growth in yields and net farm income, as well as the implications for rural economies in the Midwest. It also outlines available policy options for states.
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What options are available for states to provide property tax relief? What policies have been enacted or are being considered in the region’s legislatures? Those questions and more were the subject of informational sessions held for South Dakota legislators in early February.
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The U.S. and Canadian energy economies are inextricably intertwined. This Issue Brief explores the binational relationship in detail, with a focus on its implications for the states and provinces of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference.
Continue readingInsights to Information transforms the policy questions submitted by state officials and staff into accessible resources for all members. Each month, we select the most relevant or widely requested topics and republish them as downloadable PDFs, offering a glimpse into the conversations and challenges your colleagues are exploring. Stay informed, discover emerging trends, and see how peers across the region are addressing key policy issues.
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From December 16–19, CSG West proudly convened the Western Legislative Academy (WLA) Class of 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, marking the 25th anniversary of this flagship program. This year’s class brought together 50 legislators from across the West for immersive training focused on communication, negotiation, conflict navigation, and building consensus in today’s legislative environment.
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