State Talk

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AI for Government Leaders and Staff: Practical AI Adoption, Change Readiness, and Real-World Applications

Jun. 9, 2026 / CSG South, state-talk

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how government organizations operate, manage information, and support their workforce. During this SAIL webinar, Natalya H. Bah, founder of The Growth Group Academy, leadership development consultant, executive coach, and strategic adviser, provided a practical introduction to AI and its growing role in public sector workplaces.

Introducing the 2026 BILLD Class

Jun. 8, 2026 / CSG Midwest, state-talk

A new bipartisan group of legislators from the Midwest has been selected to take part in a one-of-a-kind leadership program offered by The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference.

Data and Degrees: Connecting Education to Workforce Development

Jun. 4, 2026 / CSG South, state-talk

As states work to align educational opportunities with evolving workforce needs, access to reliable data can help inform decision-making and long-term planning. In this webinar, participants learn about the Virginia Office of Education Economics, an entity established through 2021 legislation to strengthen connections between education, workforce development and economic data.

‘Farm Bill loophole’ has led to a booming industry for hemp-derived products and a mix of state laws; a new federal framework is coming soon

Jun. 4, 2026 / CSG Midwest, state-talk

Coming this fall, a new federal definition of hemp will take effect. But what it means for states, their own regulations and laws, and hemp growers remains unclear.

In some states, allowing community colleges to award bachelor’s degrees seen as way to improve access, fill current and future workforce needs

May. 29, 2026 / CSG Midwest, state-talk

For some of her constituents, Illinois Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl says, access to a four-year degree can seem out of reach because of the time it takes to get to and from the school itself. “If you are a student, for instance, in the western part of my [legislative] district, it could take you 90 minutes in good traffic to commute to the nearest public university,” she says.

Carrying the load: How states are planning for growth in data centers

May. 22, 2026 / CSG Midwest, state-talk

Data centers are becoming a conundrum for state policymakers. They are crucial to the digital economy and provide jobs and property tax revenue for communities needing both. But their proliferation and need for power and water have sparked concern from voters to city halls to state capitols and beyond.

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