SERVING STATES “THE DELAWARE WAY”

As 2023 CSG National President, Delaware Gov. John Carney prioritizes nonpartisan collaboration

David Adkins CSG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO dadkins@csg.org

David Biette

CSG EAST DIRECTOR dbiette @csg.org

Laura Tomaka CSG MIDWEST DIRECTOR ltomaka@csg.org

Publisher DAVID ADKINS dadkins@csg.org

Senior Editor BLAIR HESS bhess@csg.org

Managing Editor CODY PORTER cporter@csg.org

Associate Editors

TREY DELIDA tdelida@csg.org

LEXINGTON SOUERS lsouers@csg.org

Contributing CSG Staff Writers

JENNIFER HORTON jhorton@csg.org

SEAN SLONE sslone@csg.org

Graphic Designers

THERESA CARROLL tcarroll@csg.org

STEPHANIE NORTHERN snorthern@csg.org

JESSICA RUSHER jrusher@csg.org

Email capitolideas@csg.org

Lindsey Gray CSG SOUTH DIRECTOR lgray @csg.org

Edgar Ruiz CSG WEST DIRECTOR eruiz@csg.org

Megan Quattlebaum CSG JUSTICE CENTER DIRECTOR mquattlebaum @csg.org

Elizabeth Whitehouse

CSG CENTER OF INNOVATION DIRECTOR

CHIEF PUBLIC POLICY AND PROGRAMS OFFICER ewhitehouse@csg.org

DAKOTA THOMAS dakota.thomas@csg.org

CAROLINE WILLS caroline.wills@csg.org

CSG CAPITOL IDEAS, ISSN 2152-8489, ISSUE 1, Vol. 78, No. 1 – Published four times annually by The Council of State Governments, 1776 Avenue of the States, Lexington, KY 40511-8536. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Council of State Governments nor the views of the editorial staff. Readers’ comments are welcome.

Mailing lists are available for rent upon approval of a sample mailing. Contact the sales department at (800) 800-1910. Copyright 2023 by The Council of State Governments. An accessible version of this publication is available upon request. Please email capitolideas@csg.org.

Stay Connected

twitter.com/CSGovts facebook.com/CSGovts linkedin.com/company/council-of-state-governments youtube.com/CSGovts

6 Welcome New Members

For 90 years, CSG has worked to assist elected and appointed officials across the country, developing priorities to meet the needs of these officials nationwide. Learn more about the organization and what programs are in store for 2023.

10 Mental Health Among Top Policy Issues for States

Mental health was identified by CSG and its Center of Innovation as one of the top priority public policy issues for 2023. With the topic gaining more attention in conversations surrounding health care and wellness, CSG, like many states, plans to expand mental health research and resources throughout the year.

14 ‘Grateful to All’

Following a nearly 38-year career, Mike McCabe retired from his post as director of CSG Midwest in January. As part of his farewell message, McCabe reflected on the leaders, members, colleagues and staff whose commitments to public service and government excellence continue to inspire him.

16 Set to Serve: 2023 CSG Leadership

The 2023 CSG leadership team is in place and leading the charge to serve the states. Newly elected CSG National President John Carney, Delaware’s governor, and his fellow national officers shared insight on their careers, addressing emerging policy issues, and how CSG’s nonpartisan platform can unite state officials in achieving a common goal.

22 Historic Representation

The 2022 midterm elections came at a divisive crossroads for the nation. Health care, jobs and national security were all pressing issues. Several historic races resulted in more diverse leadership including first female governors and first LGBTQ+ representatives. These and other individuals provide a glimpse into what it means to represent an underrepresented group and goals for their upcoming terms.

26 Working Together

Each U.S. government entity — local, state and federal — plays an important role in the country’s democracy. State leaders can benefit from knowing how to best work with the offices of intergovernmental affairs for all major departments and agencies of federal government. Each office can assist with work on shared, pressing issues impacting select communities across the U.S.

30 The Advent of AI

Artificial intelligence has rapidly advanced in recent years. Jobs once independent of computers now rely on them. By way of AI, computers receive little to no human direction and are taught to create their own instructions using specific protocols. A limited number of regulations currently exist for this emerging technology despite questions surrounding the authenticity of its work and its potential threat to the nation’s workforce.