Calling All (Honorary) Colonels! Which states give honorary titles and why?
Click here to find out the answer
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All of the Above: Ensuring Energy Independence
Recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and lingering supply chain disruptions, have once again highlighted the importance of ensuring the nation’s energy independence. With the push for greater domestic production, states are seeking to expand their portfolios with an “all of the above” energy strategy. Despite its small size, West Virginia is the fifth largest state for energy production. While West Virginia has traditionally been known for coal, the Mountain State has moved to expand its energy portfolio in recent years. In 2022, the Legislature passed bills ending the state’s moratorium on new nuclear energy sites, promoting geothermal energy development, and supporting the use of hydroelectric power. During this two-day Masterclass, participants learned about West Virginia’s energy strategy and ways to emulate and implement these processes in their home states.
Legislators, legislative staff, and agency officials from across the country convened in Wheeling, West Virginia, for the “All of the Above” Policy Masterclass. Twenty-nine participants from 15 states – Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming – and the Canadian province of Nova Scotia participated in the Masterclass. West Virginia Senate President and Lieutenant Governor Craig Blair, 2023 – 2024 Chair of CSG South, provided pre-recorded opening remarks.
Over three days, participants engaged in programming covering myriad topics related to energy policy. Briefings included topics such as energy security and resilience, federal funding opportunities to strengthen the grid and incentivize local economic development, the future of nuclear energy, permitting policy and reform, carbon capture and sequestration, solar energy and new economy jobs in Appalachia, and the future of energy generation in America. Participants also toured the Alliance Resource Partners’ Tunnel Ridge surface mine and had the opportunity to “choose their own adventure”, opting between an underground mine tour at American Consolidated Natural Resources, or a tour of the MPX Majorsville plant.
Experts from several prestigious organizations briefed attendees, including the following:
- Arnold Ventures
- ACORE
- National Association of State Energy Officials
- HolTec International
- Brookings Institute
- Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy
- American Petroleum Institute
- Diversified Energy
- Equinox Global Solutions
- Edelen Renewables
- West Virginia Legislature
- Louisiana Legislature
Hosted by CSG South, participants in this Masterclass increased their knowledge of energy policy and examples of state solutions by interacting with subject matter experts and colleagues from across the country.
- Speaker Roger Hanshaw, West Virginia
- Senator Bob Hensgens, Louisiana, Vice Chair, CSG South Energy & Environment Committee
- Senator Mary Boren, Oklahoma
- Assemblywoman Tracy Brown May, Nevada
- Representative Jon Conrad, Wyoming
- Representative Aaron Crossley, Missouri
- Representative Jack Fortner, Arkansas
- Senator Hillman Frazier, Mississippi
- Representative Donna Givens, Alabama
- Delegate Scot Heckert, West Virginia
- Representative Jason Hughes, Louisiana
- Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska
- Representative Cathy Kipp, Colorado
- Representative Greg Kmetz, Montana
- Delegate Daniel Linville, West Virginia
- Representative Kevin McDugle, Oklahoma
- Representative Orlando Paden, Mississippi
- Member of Legislative Assembly Iain Rankin, Nova Scotia
- Senator Cody Rogers, Oklahoma
- Delegate George Street, West Virginia
- Representative Lisa Subeck, Wisconsin
- Senator Robin Webb, Kentucky
- Delegate Mark Zatezalo, West Virginia
- Mr. Robert Akers, West Virginia
- Ms. Abby Berquist, South Carolina
- Mr. Jeff Billings, West Virginia
- Ms. Endra Curry, South Carolina
- Mr. Mark Hendrick, South Carolina
- Mr. Zachary Rogers, Arkansas
Presentations:
Photos:
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Southern Pulse Newsletter, November 2023
November is a month full of good food, laughter, and a time to reflect on all we are thankful for. As we approach the closure of our fall programming, our office is taking a moment to reflect on the remarkable achievements we’ve experienced, including three outstanding Policy Masterclasses, CALS, SAGE, and our LSA Director’s Group Meeting. Thank you to everyone who attended our programs, and we hope you continue to stay engaged into 2024!
The small yet mighty team at CSG South extends thanks to all our members for the ability to collaborate, network, and build lasting relationships, allowing us to serve as your nonpartisan regional resource. Guided by our values and passion, our team navigates through busy months filled with travel, fall programming, research and writing, and a long list of to-dos. We could not do our work without you and are so blessed!
To all our members, we wish you a peaceful and restful holiday season surrounded by friends and loved ones. We can’t wait to see you again soon!
All the best,
Lindsey G.
Click here to read Southern Pulse- November 2023
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CSG South Senior Policy Analyst Cody Allen Testified to Lawmakers on the State of School Property Insurance
On Thursday, October 26, CSG South Senior Policy Analyst Cody Allen spoke before an Oklahoma Joint Interim Study Committee examining the state of public school property insurance in the region and possible policy solutions. His presentation to this Joint Education Committee hearing, chaired by Representative Rhonda Baker and Senator Darcy Jech, focused on the North Carolina Public School Insurance Fund, established in 1949 by the General Assembly, as an equitable and lower-cost property insurance option for school districts. Notably, this voluntary program currently enrolls approximately 68 percent of the state’s local education agencies – along with community colleges and charter schools, who choose to participate. He also touched on legislation considered and enacted in Kentucky, Texas, and West Virginia and emergency appropriations from Arkansas to address this crisis and assist struggling school systems. Allen closed his testimony by highlighting the nationwide scope of the property insurance crisis and acknowledging states are continuing to study this issue as they prepare for the 2024 legislative session.
Click here to watch the recording
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Question of the Month, November
Guardian Ad Deliciae? How are States Providing Legal Support for Neglected and Abused Pets?
Click here to find out the answer
The post Question of the Month, November appeared first on CSG South.
The Opioid Crisis: Understanding and Addressing the Public Health Emergency
The opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the CSG South region. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2019 to 2020, opioid-involved death rates increased by 38 percent. While there have been efforts around the prescription and legal side of opioids, fentanyl, and its derivatives are causing even further harm to communities. Due to its potency and the ease with which it is synthesized, fentanyl is becoming more prevalent. It is increasingly mixed with other substances, often to deadly effect. From 2019 to 2020, the CDC found that synthetic opioid-involved death rates increased by 56 percent.
Southern state legislators and staff convened in Kansas City, Missouri for the “Opioid Crisis” Masterclass. 22 Legislators, executive appointees, and staff from ten CSG South member states – Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia – participated in the class. Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and 2023-2023 SLC Chair Craig Blair, Senate President and Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia, provided pre-recorded opening remarks.
Experts came from:
- Aware Recovery Care
- KC Care Health Center
- Kent Strategic Advisors
- Missouri Association of Treatment Court Professionals
- Pew Charitable Trusts
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- University Health
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Washington University in St. Louis
Participants learned how opioids work and their use in the medical field, the science behind the chronic disease of addiction, and the roots of the current epidemic dating back more than 100 years. They also learned about the personal experiences of individuals with substance use disorders as well as the experiences of those around them. Participants received briefings on current treatment approaches and best practices available to individuals seeking assistance. Participants learned about harm reduction approaches to minimize adverse impacts to the user as well as public health issues like mitigating the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. Finally, participants explored opportunities for collaboration between state and federal governments, as well as criminal justice interventions available to support individuals through their substance use disorder.
Presentations:
Click here for all presentations
Photos:
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Meet the CSG South Members in the CSG 20 Under 40 2023 Class
The Council of State Governments 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recognizes the outstanding work of 20 up-and-coming elected and appointed officials from across the country who exemplify strong leadership and a passion for public service.
Four members from the CSG South Region have been chosen for the prestigious award:
- Representative Houston Gaines – GA
- Senator Rod Hickman – MS
- Representative Jason Hughes – LA
- Delegate Briana Sewell – VA
CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recipients are selected from a competitive pool of applicants based on their bipartisan work, leadership, and work within a specific policy area.
CSG will honor award recipients at the 2023 CSG National Conference this December in Raleigh, North Carolina.
To read the full press release, click here.
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Southern Pulse Newsletter, October 2023
As warmer weather is ending, sadly, so is our fall programming. Fall Policy Masterclasses have concluded with flying colors. Nearly 120 legislators, upper management executive staffers, and individuals from the private sector gathered for three unique intensive classes, each a regionally focused policy topic. We are already looking forward to and planning our next Policy Masterclasses for 2024!
We are also proud of our newest class of graduates from the 2023 Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS)! The class of twenty-eight elected officials and executive staff spent five full days in stunning Paris Landing State Park just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, developing their leadership development, hearing from world-class speakers, and making lasting connections.
We look forward to seeing more of our members during our official state visits, which will be announced very soon!
Always remember that CSG South is a simple call or email away and we are always here for you.
All the best,
Lindsey G.
Click here to read Southern Pulse- October 2023
The post Southern Pulse Newsletter, October 2023 appeared first on CSG South.
CSG South Senior Policy Analyst Cody Allen Spoke to Lawmakers on AI Regulations
Cody Allen, CSG South Senior Policy Analyst, testified to the Oklahoma legislature and highlighted different guidelines states have placed on AI technologies.
Read more here:
Oklahoma Lawmakers Struggle to Regulate Growing AI Industry (govtech.com)
Full recording: https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00282/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20231016/-1/72499?startposition=20231016144202&mediaEndTime=20231016150835&viewMode=3&globalStreamId=3
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Question of the Month, October
Cultured meat? Lab-grown meat? Novari? What is this (not) new frontier in animal protein?
Click here to find out the answer
The post Question of the Month, October appeared first on CSG South.