Meeting Information Included below are meeting materials provided for public sharing by session speakers. Not all presentations made during seesions are available for public sharing. If you are looking for information not included below, please contat CSG West staff at csgw@csg.org |
Annual Meeting Photo Book
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Tuesday, September 11
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Agenda
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Women in Politics
Attendees participated in a discussion on the real-life benefits of diversity in government and politics. Patricia Jones, CEO of Women's Leadership Institute and 14-year veteran of the Utah legislature, guided the conversation beyond a zero-sum issue to explore the advantages organizations and companies report due to increased diversity, such as improved performance, innovation, and better financial outcomes.
The Political Imperative of Women
Panel Conversation: Diversity Through the Lens of Personal Experience
Voices from the Past
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Wednesday, September 12
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Agenda
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International Program: The Meaning of Brexit
The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union is the pre-eminent issue in European affairs. Dr. Matt Beech, Founding Director of the Centre for British Politics at University of Hull and Senior Fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the University of California at Berkeley, spoke with attendees to explain the meaning of Brexit, and analyz the implications for U.S. western states.
The Meaning of Brexit
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Agenda |
States Leading the Way: Occupational Licensure Compacts and Reform
This panel examined the evolution and current use of interstate compacts, discussed their history, and examined the scope of interstate problems that states now tackle through compacts. The panel also looked at the rising use of occupational licensure compacts, particularly in the healthcare sector, to achieve professional licensure portability and reciprocity and the potential impacts on America’s workforce. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of licensed occupations has risen from 5 percent of the U. S. workforce in the 1950s to about a quarter of the workforce today. Navigating the various state licensing requirements can pose a significant challenge for workers due to different rules, regulations, and fee structures. Interstate compacts allow states to work collaboratively across state lines to bring resolution to some of America’s most pressing issues with innovation and a unified voice.
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Agenda
Soronen Presentation |
U.S. Supreme Court: Assessing the Implications for Western States
Lisa Soronen, Executive Director of the State and Local Legal Center, facilitated a conversation about the U.S. Supreme Court’s last term. With rulings on internet sales tax, union dues, the travel ban, partisan gerrymandering, and a number of First Amendment cases, the court’s decisions will have ramifications for states for decades to come. Helping attendees look forward, Lisa discussed cases of interest that will be decided during the court’s next term and possible future grants, well as the impact of Justice Kennedy’s retirement on the states.
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Agenda
Robinson Presentation
Lessard Presentation
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North America Summit IX
Attendees joined a discussion on the status of the ongoing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) re-negotiations and how Atlanticism - the belief in or support for a close relationship between the United States, Canada, and Europe regarding political, economic, and defense issues - is changing in today’s political climate.
NAFTA Then, NAFTA Now
NAFTA Renegotiations vis-a-vis Canada
NAFTA Renegotiations vis-a-vis Mexico
Alberta's Trade Relations with the U.S. and Mexico
U.S.-U.K. Relations in the Era of Trump and Brexit: A New Atlanticism?
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Agenda
Madrid-Davis Presentation
Parker Presentation
Weiler Presentation
Wakefield Presentation - Regalatory Process Improvement
Wakefield Presentation - Tax Incentives |
Finance & Economic Development Committee
Facing a wave of retirees without sufficient savings, states are working to identify options to boost citizen saving efforts. To assist in this process, the Finance and Economic Development Committee heard from a panel of experts discussing opportunities and known successes. The Committee also reviewed ways that states determin economic development incentives to attract businesses and how to ensure accountability of recipient businesses. Committee members also shared related successes and challenges their states have faced.
How Can States Encourage Residents to Save for Retirement?
Economic Development Incentives: Holding Businesses Accountable and Protecting Taxpayers
State Strategies to Help Businesses Launch and Expand
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Thursday, September 13
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Agenda
Oliveira Handout
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State & Federal Relations Committee
In its ongoing look at improving the process surrounding state consultation, the State and Federal Relations Committee used recent events in Hawaii as a case study - a citizen notification that the state was under a missile attack, and the eruption of the Kilauea volcano. Officials from the State of Hawaii Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and a representative from the California legislature explored the state consultation process for both natural and non-natural crises.
State Consultation: No Notice Disaster Events and the Federal Government
State Consultation: Natural Disasters, Response, Recovery, and the Federal Government
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Agenda
Lessard Presentation
Easter Presentation
State Trade Fact Sheets
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Canada Relations Committee
With talks of tariffs dominating the newspaper headlines, the United States and Canada face a situation that has not been broached in recent history. The Committee hosted a conversation about the current state of relations between these long-standing allies and the impact of both the implemented and potential tariffs on both nations.
The United Staes and Canada: Friends, Partners, Allies
Alberta's Climate Leadership Plan: Next Phase
Some Examples of Canada-U.S. Cooperation: A Perspective from the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Groups Canadian Section
Why Tarriffs Are Not the Answer
How an Island State Became a Global Competitor
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Friday, September 14
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Agenda
Parson Presentation
Trail Presentation
Mennis Presentation
Frost Presentation
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Westrends Board
The Westrends Board explored the emergence of Blockchain technology and its implications for western state policy-makers. This included an overview of Blockchain, why it matters and what states are doing to leverage Blockchain technology to stimulate local economies and improve various aspects of public service. The Board also focused on public pension trends, including innovative, data-driven approaches and strategies to sustain funding of pension systems.
Blockchian and Its Implications for Western Policy-Makers
Public Pension Trends
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Agenda
Arens Presentation
Hasenyager Presentation
Ossowski Presentation
Kuehl Presentation
Robinson Presentation |
Agriculture & Water Committee
State, regional and federal representatives provided an overview of the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and efforts to help western states prepare for drought. Additionally, the Committee took an in-depth look at international agricultural trade and prospects for the future. Concluding the meeting, committee members shared relevant policy issues their states are facing.
Drought Planning in the West
International Agricultural Trade
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Agenda
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CSG Shared State Legislation
CSG's Shared State Legislation Committee seeks out emerging policy innovations throughout the states. In this session, the Committee debated which bills to include in the 2019 Shared State Legislation Volume, which offers legislators a window into how states are addressing the most pressing policy concerns of the day. |
Agenda
Klein Presentation
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Energy & Environment Committee
The Energy and Environment Committee reviewed two key topics and their impact on the western region. Related to environmental challenges, the Committee took an in-depth look at the state of the state regarding Superfund sites in the West and how states are being impacted by the costs of cleanup efforts. Addressing energy challenges, the Committee facilitated a discussion exploring how well the west is poised to find the skilled labor needed to meet the energy sector’s future high-tech labor force.
State and Federal Challenges with Superfund Sites
Developing the Workforce for a Changing Energy Sector
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Agenda
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Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee invited members of the Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) to share their policy recommendations related to seismic safety. Formed in 1979, the WSSPC provides a regional and multi-disciplinary forum to support and enhance seismic hazard mitigation. Following this conversation, committee members addressed the topics of road usage charge and the intersection between federal and state regulations related to autonomous vehicles. Throughout the session, committee members were invited to share relevant experiences from their respective states.
Seismic Safety in Western States
Promoting Safe School Buildings for our School Children
Autonomous Vehicles: Development and State Policies
Road Usage Charge as Potential Replacement for the Fuel Tax
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Agenda
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Annual Legislative Training Assembly (ALTA)
Attendees were invited to enhance their ability to deal with interpersonal conflict, engage in difficult conversations, and negotiate personal interests. After taking a brief assessment to identify their preferred style, participants worked together to hone their skills in applying the mode that best fits the situation to achieve their desired outcomes.
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Saturday, September 15
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Agenda
Ingoglia Presentation
De La Torre Presentation
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Health & Human Services Committee
The Health and Human Services Committee examined key health issues under two broad categories. During a roundtable discussion with topic experts, the Committee examined best practices surrounding behavioral health issues followed by an exploration of the differences between value-based vs fee-for-service health care payment models and their impact on care, premiums, and access to care.
Overview: Behavioral Health in the West
Innovations in Utah Behavioral Health Treatment
Value-based verses Fee-For-Service Health Care Payment Models
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Agenda
Stone Presentation
Albanese Presentation
Muñoz Presentation
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Education & Workforce Development Committee
Members of the Education and Workforce Development Committee reviewed and discussed several topics impacting the western region. First, members learned about shortages in the direct care workforce and ways that states can address this challenge. Additional discussions informed members about the national State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED) program and its efforts to help states integrate people with disabilities into the workforce. Focusing on education, a facilitated conversation about “community schools” shared information on how this approach brings together partners to offer a range of support and opportunities to children, youth, families and communities. Concluding the meeting, committee members shared successes and challenges that their states have faced on related topics.
Meeting Long-Term Services and Supports Workforce Demands Now and in the Future
Bringing Together Employers and Workers with Disabilities
Bringing the Community into the School
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