The CSG West family is mourning the loss of former Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, who passed away July 16th. He was a towering figure in Oregon politics and the state’s longest serving lawmaker and Senate president.
Former Senate President Courtney served his community and the state of Oregon for over 45 years. He commenced his elected service as a councilmember in the City of Salem from 1975-1980. Thereafter, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives where he served from 1981 to 1999, minus a four-year stretch. In 1998, he was elected Oregon Senate and served as Senate President for 20 years, from 2003 until his retirement in 2023, making him the longest-serving legislative officer in Oregon history.
“Senate President Courtney was an institution in Oregon politics,” stated CSG West Chair and colleague, Oregon Senator Bill Hansell. “His leadership and service to his district and our entire state was instrumental in many public policy areas, including the seismic retrofit of schools and other infrastructure and preservation of our environment.” “He also was a compassionate leader who cared deeply for everyone around him.”
Former Senate President Courtney is honored with the Bettye Fahrenkamp Award during the CSG West 77th Annual Meeting.
During the recent 77th CSG West Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, chairman Hansell awarded the organization’s Bettye Fahrenkamp Award for Distinguished Legislative Leadership on Behalf of Western states to former Senate President Courtney. This annual award, which is in honor of former Alaska Senator Bettye Fahrenkamp, recognizes leaders whose legislative careers demonstrate the ability to see and work beyond the border of their own states in the interests of the West.
Although Senate President Courtney was not able to attend the meeting in-person to receive the award, Senator Hansell paid tribute to his many accomplishments and service to Oregon and our nation. “As a leader, Senate President Courtney emphasized the importance of bipartisanship. As a member of the minority, I, along with many of my colleagues, truly appreciated him for protecting the rights of the minority and ensuring that our voices were heard,” stated Senator Hansell.
A memorial service for former Senate President Courtney will be held July 30th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Angel. Cards may be sent to 2925 Island View Drive N., Salem, Oregon 97303. A public celebration of life will be held in Salem at a later date.
For more information on Senate President Courtney’s legacy, click HERE.
During the recent 77th CSG West Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, the CSG West Executive Committee adopted a resolution calling for the harmonization of state and provincial approaches to invasive species management. The resolution is aimed addressing the growing threat of aquatic invasive species, such as zebra and quagga mussels, which pose severe risks to water infrastructure, hydro facilities, and recreational activities across western North America.
Recognizing the immense economic and environmental damage these species can cause, the resolution emphasizes the critical need for prevention, monitoring, increased coordination, and public awareness as mitigation strategies. Furthermore, it underscores that both the U.S. and Canada have a mutual interest in preventing the further spread of invasive species.
The resolution, which will be circulated with appropriate provincial, state, and federal officials, calls for enhanced collaboration, information sharing, and federal support.
On July 12, during The Council of State Governments West (CSG West) 77th Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, Alaska State Senator Löki Gale Tobin was unanimously elected to serve as the CSG West vice chair in 2025.
“I am proud to expand my role in CSG West because state elected leaders from Western states and Canadian provinces are demonstrating how to tackle tough issues through dialogue and bipartisanship. CSG West is doing the work to educate and support lawmakers and government officials, empowering them with knowledge that leads to good public policy that improves the lives of every one of our constitutes,” said Löki Gale Tobin who represents neighborhoods in downtown Anchorage in the Alaska State Senate.
Sen. Tobin is currently serving her first term in the Alaska State Senate. Prior to her election in 2022, Löki Gale Tobin worked as the policy director for Alaska State Senator Tom Begich. Together, they helped pass a monumental piece of education legislation known as the Alaska Reads Act, which included provisions to help expand pre-K across the state of Alaska. Löki Gale Tobin was born and raised in Nome, Alaska. She was among the first female wrestlers to compete against young men in Alaska and served in the Peace Corp from 2008-2011. Löki is a University of Alaska Anchorage graduate and holds a master’s degree in rural development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Currently, she’s a PhD student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks doing research on culturally responsive education. Sen. Tobin’s policy passion is education, so it is not surprising she was tasked with chairing the Education Committee in the Alaska State Senate.
“I have worked alongside Löki Gale Tobin, and she is exactly the kind of person we need in state government. She is smart and hard-working, but more importantly, she cares deeply about people and how government can impact their lives in both good and bad ways. I recommended Sen. Tobin for a leadership position in CSG West for many reasons but, if I had to choose one, it’s because of her enthusiasm. It is contagious. I enjoy working with Löki Gale Tobin and I am sure everyone involved with CSG West will enjoy working with her as well,” said Alaska Senate President Gary Stevens, who is a former chair of CSG National.
By being chosen to serve as the CSG West vice chair in 2025, Sen. Tobin is in line to become the chair of CSG West in 2027. As such, Sen. Tobin will have the opportunity to host the 2027 CSG West Annual Meeting in Alaska. The CSG West annual meeting is the largest gathering of Western policymakers and stakeholders. “I like to plan things, so I am already planning how best to show off the great state of Alaska to my colleagues from the other western states. We might ride the train to Talkeetna or visit one of Alaska’s famous farmer’s markets,” said Sen. Tobin. “If I could get the weather to comply, I would get everyone stuck in some off the road system community for a few days. That would be a great way to bring people together and show them the best of Alaska.” Sen. Tobin will commence her role as the CSG West vice chair on January 1, 2025.
Left to Right: California Assemblymember Ash Kalra, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, and Consul General Rana Sarkar.
CSG West staff attended activities during the annual Canada Day in California, which was celebrated April 17th in Sacramento. Every year the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco, currently led by Consul General Rana Sarkar, descends on the capital city with a special guest to build alliances and remind officials of the importance of the Canada – U.S. relationship.
This year’s special guest was former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, who served in that role from 2014 to 2017. He also served as partner and managing director of the Chicago office of Goldman Sachs and co-founded Uncharted LLC, an organization that convenes and connects diverse groups of Americans and Canadians.
The California Chamber of Commerce hosted a lunchtime fireside chat on the future of U.S.-Canada relations titled Partnering for Prosperity: Canada-U.S. Economic Security. President and CEO of CalChamber, Jennifer Barrera, welcomed state and local officials and guests interested in strengthening the relationship. California Natural Resources Agency Secretary, Wade Crowfoot, highlighted cooperation and partnership with Canada on various issues such as droughts, floods, and wildfires.
The Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco, along with Air Canada, hosted a Friends of Canada Reception that same evening at the California Museum to highlight the importance of binational interests and endeavors in a more relaxed environment. The reception allowed for valuable time to meet and reconnect with fellow advocates of the unique and longstanding relationship with our neighbor to the North. Assemblymember Ash Kalra, the only California legislator originally from Canada (born in Toronto before moving to San Jose with his family as a young child) was in attendance as were other dignitaries.
The relationship with Canada is important to CSG West. The Canada Relations Committee, which is part of CSG West’s policy work, convenes policymakers from across the western U.S. and the Canadian Provinces of Alberta and British Columbia to address issues of common interest. The committee will convene during the upcoming 77th CSG West Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon.
The CSG West family is mourning the loss of Kent Briggs, who served as the organization’s executive director from 1996 to 2011. He passed away on April 19 at the age of 82.
Kent was a larger-than-life figure who was fun, kindhearted, and had a gregarious personality. He had the ability to light up a room and enamor people with his smile, charismatic presence, and great stories, as he was a walking encyclopedia of Western politics, leaders, and issues.
Kent had a distinguished public service career, which was sparked by his keen interest and love of public policy. He worked for a U.S. senator in Idaho, two Utah governors, co-founded a public policy think tank focused on the West, and capped his career with CSG West.
While at the helm of CSG West, Kent stabilized and helped grow the organization’s budget, oversaw the establishment of the Western Legislative Academy, which is our premier training program for newer legislators to this day, and was instrumental in furthering a continental vision through engagement with policymakers from Canada and Mexico. One of his passions was advocating for the advancement of the Western region. To this end, he established meaningful and lasting relationships with public officials, staff, academics, and entities from across the region, including the Western Governors’ Association, of which he was very fond of.
Kent was a beloved friend, colleague, and mentor to staff and leaders alike. He left a lasting impression and legacy. Those of us that had the privilege of knowing him can still recall his witty anecdotes and one-liners that made us laugh and ponder, even to this day. Kent will be missed and the CSG family is grateful for his commitment, dedication, and his many contributions to advance the public good. To learn more about Kent’s contributions, please view his obituary HERE.
The New Mexico Legislative Council Service Research Library recently wrapped up its first National Library Week celebration with bookmarks and a trivia contest. National Library Week is a week-long celebration to promote awareness of all types of libraries, whether a public library in a school, city or county, or a private library in a law firm, museum, or corporation.
Did you know that over 30 states have a library in the state’s legislative branch? Legislative libraries are often located within a state’s capitol, but can also be located in state office space near a state’s capitol. Legislative libraries are open and staffed year-round to assist legislators, legislative staff and other state, county, and city agency locate information to help staff make policy decisions or learn more about the background of an issue.
Legislative libraries’ collections often include a mix of history books, legislative materials, state agency reports, and legal resources. Many legislative libraries, including New Mexico’s Legislative Research Library, are open to the general public–including attorneys, lobbyists, advocacy groups, and constituents. Some of the most popular questions our library receives are for biographical information about legislators past and present; what other states’ legislatures have introduced or passed recently on any topic; statistics on the number of bills passed or vetoed in a specific time range; and news articles surrounding a high profile event in state history.
The questions legislative libraries can help with are interesting and rewarding. For example, we hear often from descendants of legislators who are wondering when their grandparents or great-grandparents served, what bills they introduced, and if our collection includes photos while they were in office.
Legislative libraries also respond to questions from law, political science professors or graduate students throughout the country conducting research on the political or electoral process for their dissertations or research. Legislative libraries collaborate with each other across state lines to compile information or data about other state’s laws or statistics.
Your legislative library can also help locate and gather information from other libraries in your state. Many state libraries offer an interlibrary loan service-meaning that if a book or article isn’t owned by their library, they can ask the state library to locate it from another library and get it shipped. For instance, we can get articles for legislators and staff that are from academic journals not freely available online.
Many legislative libraries, like ours, also field questions by email and phone, so you don’t have to drive to the state capitol to get research assistance. More information about the New Mexico Legislative Council’s Research Library can be found at https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislative_Library.
Joanne Montague is a Senior Legislative Librarian with the New Mexico Legislative Council Service.
The CSG West Nominating Committee is accepting applications from Western legislators interested in serving as officers of CSG West or CSG National. The positions will be open and the legislators elected by the Executive Committee will succeed to the positions of chair in 2027.
Pursuant to our Rules, this year the Nominating Committee will be interviewing candidates for the CSG West Vice Chair. The Nominating Committee will be considering:
Democratic applicants for the open 2024 CSG West vice chair position.
Applicants will be scheduled for an interview with the CSG West Nominating Committee during the 77th CSG West Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon. The Nominating Committee, upon finalizing its process, will recommend a slate of 2025 CSG West officers to the CSG West Executive Committee.
The deadline for receiving applications from all interested and eligible legislators is Tuesday, June 25, 2024. If you have any questions about the process or require additional information, please contact Edgar Ruiz, CSG West Executive Director, at (916) 501-5070 or via email at [email protected].
Below, please find links to the application information, the CSG West Rules, and officer descriptions. Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss officer roles and responsibilities with current CSG West officers.
Each year, state legislators from the western region are selected to participate in the Western Legislative Academy (WLA), a multi-day training experience focused on sharpening leadership skills in communications, consensus building, focus management, ethics and more. Sessions are interactive and hosted by national leaders and academic authorities. Additionally, class members learn from each other and develop lasting relationships with legislative peers.
The application period is now open for the 2024 WLA, which will take place December 10-13 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The deadline for completed applications is May 1st.
“This program was just the motivation and training I needed to up my game as a public servant for my communities – both my district and the Wyoming House of Representatives. I learned how to more effectively build relationships with my colleagues in Wyoming and across the West – a skill that will ensure that my district gets the most of my time as their Representative. The relationships I fostered at CSG have already made me a better Representative for the state of Wyoming and I look forward to building a brighter future for all of our constituents together.”
– Wyoming Representative Karlee Provenza, 2023 WLA Class President
Shane Phillips, Housing Initiative Project Manager with the UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, focused on the intricate dynamics of housing policy, with an emphasis on navigating the trade-offs between different perspectives.
In Part 2 of this session, Tracee Henneke, Director of Relationships & Giving for Mobile Loaves and Fishes, provided a comprehensive view of Community First! Village – often referred to as “Austin’s most talked about neighborhood.”
Speaker Shane Phillips discusses coalition-building to address current housing affordability challenges.
Part 1: Housing Affordability
Approaches to housing policy are nuanced
Phillips contends that housing reform involves winners and losers but emphasizes the importance of a well-balanced approach to benefit the majority. Underscoring the political nature of housing reform, he asserts that finding the right mix is essential to ensure widespread benefit. Phillips argues that delay in addressing housing challenges leads to a lasting decrease in affordability.
Tension between housing as a source of wealth and affordability
The tension between housing as a source of wealth and its affordability is a central theme. Phillips challenges the notion that housing appreciation is universally positive, shedding light on its substantial drawbacks. He introduced the pro-housing versus pro-tenant perspectives, contending that pro-housing advocate typically focuses on who benefits from development, while the pro-tenant advocate questions who is harmed. Phillips suggests that a more comprehensive approach involves asking both questions to formulate better policies and build stronger coalitions.
Saying “yes” to housing supply, stability, and subsidy
The Three S’s—Supply, Stability, and Subsidy—were presented as interconnected elements. Phillips elaborated on the importance of a growing housing stock to address scarcity and economic constraints. Stability considerations focus on moral obligations towards renters, aiming to prevent their marginalization. Subsidy policies are discussed in terms of addressing gaps left by supply and stability measures, highlighting the need for efficient use of resources.
Pick two: appealing, unchanging, or affordable
Phillips contends that every city faces a choice between being appealing, unchanging, or affordable, but can only achieve two of these traits simultaneously. If a city is appealing and unchanging, he affirms that it will lack affordability – using San Francisco as an example. If it is unchanging and affordable, such as Detroit, he suggests it may lack appeal for attracting or maintaining residents. And if a city is both appealing and affordable, Phillips argues that it won’t stay that way without new housing supply and a plan for a future with more neighbors. He cautions against denying the future, presenting examples of cities that faced consequences for attempting such an approach.
Part 2: Community First! Village | A Different Approach to Homelessness
Community First! Village has garnered attention as a 51-acre master planned development in Austin, Texas, offering affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for those exiting chronic homelessness. A project by Mobile Loaves & Fishes, it aims to address homelessness at its core by acknowledging that “housing will never solve homelessness, but community will.” Founder Alan Graham and his wife exemplify the commitment to this vision by choosing to reside among formerly homeless neighbors.
“The Single Greatest Cause of Homelessness is a Profound, Catastrophic Loss of Family.”
– Alan Graham, Founder and CEO of Community First! Village
Homelessness arises from intersecting broken systems and layers of trauma
The village’s philosophy asserts that homelessness arises from intersecting broken systems and layers of trauma, such as loss of family, foster care, and adverse childhood experiences, among others. Residents, with an average age of 57, have most commonly been homeless for over nine years. Sixty-five percent manage two or more chronic illnesses and their average age at death is 60.
“Housing will never solve homelessness, but community will.”
At Community First! Village, the intentional design of shared spaces, including front porches and communal areas, encourages interactions among neighbors, emphasizing the importance of community building. Additionally, 20% of residents are not homeless but choose to live in community with the formerly homeless. The “Community Works” initiative is integral, empowering residents to rediscover purpose and earn a dignified income through various opportunities, such as working at the community’s gardens, art house, cinema, and Community Inn. Its micro-enterprise program enables volunteers to serve alongside formerly homeless individuals, fostering skill development and enduring relationships.
Residents, with an average age of 57, have most commonly been homeless for over nine years. Sixty-five percent manage two or more chronic illnesses and their average age at death is 60.
Partners make a difference when thinking about community impact
The village’s impact extends beyond housing. Partners include 31,550 private donors, 21 construction partners, 45 custom home builders, 100+ faith communities, and 14,820 annual volunteers. Together, their efforts have contributed to an estimated annual savings of $85 million for the Austin community when Community First! Village is at full occupancy.
Partners include 31,550 private donors, 21 construction partners, 45 custom home builders, 100+ faith communities, and 14,820 annual volunteers.
Looking forward to expanding resources
Presently, 343 formerly homeless individuals reside at Community First! Village, with a 99% rate of rent collection, and an 83% rate of housing stability. The village initiated an expansion in 2023, incorporating two new properties and 127 additional acres for 1,400 more homes. Once fully developed, Community First! Village will have 1,900 homes and neighborhood support buildings spread across 178 acres.
The CSG West Energy & Environment Committee, chaired by Senator Wendy McKamey (MT) and Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (CA), invited national and state experts Glenda Humiston, PhD., and Tony Willardson to discuss the sustainability of agriculture and water resources in the West with committee members.
Agriculture’s difficult landscape across the West
Decades of drought have brought dramatic changes to agriculture and water management in the West. Agriculture consolidation and foreign investment in agricultural assets and water rights further complicate an already challenging landscape for policymakers across the West. For example:
Limited data exists on water supplies and demands
Water rights can compete or be poorly defined
Infrastructure is aging or inadequate
Regulatory environments are ever-changing
Climate and extreme weather events are unpredictable climate
Troubling trends for our Western farmers
Despite ongoing innovation and adaption, some troubling trends have emerged, including
Fallowing of agricultural land.
Since 1981, the U.S. has lost 437,300 farms and 141.1 million acres of farm and ranch land.
Small farms are disappearing, with farm income concentrated in larger farms. In 2019, only 50,000 farms reported revenue of over $500,000, which accounted for 89% of all farm income. Some two million farms shared the remaining 11%. Notably, 50% of farms didn’t make any money at all.
For small farmers, 40% of their income came from off-farm sources.
An inventory of biomass and biofuel in need of a market has accumulated.
Invasive species and pests have increased in new habitats.
Climate change has caused many species to relocate to new areas in search of temperatures and forage conditions conducive to their survival and reproduction.
Challenges bring together new and more effective partnerships and resources
While a dryer, warmer climate out West with reduced snowpack and precipitation has brought challenges, they have also created partnerships and cooperation – among federal, state, and local governments across the scientific and technology sectors, the academic and applied research communities, producers, and industry.
Water managers and users are engaged in conservation efforts, innovative water technology, and water transfers to meet the dynamic water needs out West.
Western partnerships and initiatives include
ARCHES, a hydrogen hub funded at $1.2 billion, may hold promise for biomass hydrogen fuel production
USDA is diversifying small farm opportunities to include monetizing ecosystem services markets, including water and carbon sequestration, promoting regional and local food business centers, supporting localized processing plants, and using federal food buying programs.
