Capitol Ideas | Issue 2 | 2022 | Powering the Tennessee Economy by The Council of State Governments

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C O U N C I L

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G O V E R N M E N T S

Workforce Shifts Employment experts weigh in on the new employee lifecycle

The New Ag Economy Climate, workforce and access are reshaping the agriculture industry

Boots on the Ground New interstate compacts make a difference for licensed professionals

POWERING THE TENNESSEE ECONOMY Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton talks jobs, workforce, inbound migration growth and more

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STRONGER TOGETHER 3 BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT | 56 STATES AND TERRITORIES | 4 STRONG REGIONS

CSG is where you belong.

2022 CSG CALENDAR OF EVENTS C SG SO U TH

76th Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference Oklahoma City, OK // July 9–13, 2022

C SG MIDW EST

76th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference Wichita, KS // July 10–13, 2022

C SG WEST

75th Annual Meeting Boise, ID // July 19–22, 2022

C SG EAST The Council of State Governments is the nation’s largest nonpartisan organization serving all three branches of state elected and appointed officials. CSG champions excellence in state government to advance the common good.

61st Annual Meeting of the Eastern Regional Conference Manchester, NH // Aug. 14–17, 2022

C SG NATIO NAL CO NFER ENC E Honolulu, HI // Dec. 7–10, 2022

JOBS AND THE ECONOMY / ISSUE 2 / 2022

12 6 Boots on the Ground: Interstate Compacts Make an Impact Complex regulatory frameworks can create barriers to work, discouraging workers in licensed professions from moving to a new state or practicing in multiple states. Hear from licensed professionals about the difference compacts can make and learn how CSG is helping develop compacts to reduce workforce barriers.

10 Building Talent Pipelines

12 Workforce Shifts

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F E AT U R E S

G E T TO K N O W C S G

THEY TWEETED IT

C S G E A S T U P DAT E

C S G M I D W E S T U P DAT E

C S G S O U T H U P DAT E

C S G W E S T U P DAT E

Over the last two years, the pandemic created new workforce trends and exacerbated others, shifting engagement patterns among employers and employees and providing workers with the opportunity to reflect on personal and professional priorities.

16 What’s in the Infrastructure Act? State leaders have access to $1.2 trillion focused on transportation, broadband, cybersecurity, energy, environment and disaster response. CSG offers ongoing fiscal analyses and resources to help states leverage the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

20 Tennessee is Open for Business Ten years of annual business growth in Tennessee. A top-10 rank for inbound migration to the state. Coincidence? Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton doesn’t think so.

22 New Agriculture Economy The average age of American farmers continues to climb. New and beginning farmers struggle to access land and capital. Workforce shortages and climate change are rewriting familiar patterns. Learn more about how shifts in the agriculture industry are reshaping the way we eat.

26 What's in a Name? The U.S. Board on Geographic Names oversees the process of naming and renaming towns, bodies of water, roadways and other official place names. In the federal year that ended in October 2021, this board reviewed 430 name-change proposals from across the country.

Gov. David Ige

Sen. Sam Hunt

HAWAII CSG National President

WASHINGTON CSG National Chair

Sen. Sharon Carson

Sen. Lou D’Allesandro

NEW HAMPSHIRE CSG East Co-Chair

Publisher

Graphic Designers

DAVID ADKINS dadkins@csg.org

THERESA CARROLL tcarroll@csg.org

Editor in Chief

STEPHANIE NORTHERN snorthern@csg.org

BLAIR HESS bhess@csg.org

Managing Editor

JESSICA RUSHER jrusher@csg.org

JOEL SAMS jsams@csg.org

AMANDA SKAPNIT askapnit@csg.org

Associate Editors

TREY DELIDA tdelida@csg.org

capitolideas@csg.org

BILL SWINFORD bswinford@csg.org

Contributing CSG Staff Writers

Sen. Carolyn McGinn KANSAS CSG Midwest Chair

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat OKLAHOMA CSG South Chair

KEITH BUCKHOUT kbuckhout@csg.org

BENJAMIN REYNOLDS breynolds@csg.org

ADAM DIERSING adiersing@csg.org

MATTHEW SHAFER matthew.shafer@csg.org

ANDREW JOHNSON ajohnson@csg.org

ABEER SIKDER asikder@csg.org

ANNA LUCCHESE anna.lucchese@csg.org

CSG CAPITOL IDEAS, ISSN 2152-8489, ISSUE 2, Vol. 75, No. 1 – Published five 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. Subscription rates: in the U.S., $42 per year. Single issues are available at $7 per copy. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Capitol Ideas, Sales Department, The Council of State Governments, 1776 Avenue of the States, Lexington, KY 40511-8536. Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, Ky., and additional mailing offices. Mailing lists are available for rent upon approval of a sample mailing. Contact the sales department at (800) 800-1910.

Rep. Clark Kauffman IDAHO CSG West Chair

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

David Biette

Lindsey Gray

CSG EAST DIRECTOR dbiette@csg.org

CSG SOUTH DIRECTOR lgray@csg.org

Michael H. McCabe

Edgar Ruiz

CSG MIDWEST DIRECTOR mmccabe@csg.org

CSG WEST DIRECTOR eruiz@csg.org

STAY CONNECTED @CSGovts facebook.com/CSGovts CSGovts

ISSUE 2 2022 | CSG CAPITOL IDEAS

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WHAT’S

HAPPENING AT CSG

Applications Open for Henry Toll Fellowship In August, the Henry Toll Fellowship will convene 48 of the nation’s top officials from all three branches of state government in Lexington, Kentucky, for an intensive, five-day leadership boot camp. One of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government officials, the Toll Fellowship application deadline is May 6. Learn more and apply at csgovts.info/tolls.

CSG Provides Research Assistance to the States The Council of State Governments provides research and analysis on a variety of topics, often at the request of policymakers. For example, in recent weeks CSG has developed research briefs on state responses to the crisis in Europe; state facilitation of tax filers securing federal individual tax credits; tax incentives for businesses to hire individuals with disabilities; regulation of microbreweries and wine producers; regulation of guardianship; GPS tracking for domestic violence perpetrators; retailer data collection and storage of driver’s license information; consumer recycling regulation; how to assess retail spaces for tax purposes; and mental health support for postpartum depression. To make a research request, contact CSG Director of Research Sarah Needler at research@csg.org.

Supporting Youth with Disabilities To promote and support the needs of justice-involved youth with disabilities transitioning into the workforce, the CSG Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPEYouth), hosted a virtual roundtable, "Transition Services for Justice-Involved Youth & Young Adults with Disabilities," with the White House Office of Public Engagement on Nov. 15. (CAPE-Youth is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.) The roundtable discussion focused on understanding the lived experience of justice-involved youth and how the intersection of justice involvement and disability impacts access to employment and education. Additional webinars currently in development will address the education and workforce needs of this population in general and Black, indigenous and other minority communities in particular.

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New Partnership to Look at Long-term Care Challenges for States

CSG is partnering with The Commonwealth Fund, a foundation that supports health care research, on an in-depth assessment of the challenges states face in providing effective and sustainable long-term care for their residents. CSG is convening a national interbranch task force of 16 policymakers (eight from the legislative branch and eight from the executive branch) to consider how best to optimize recent and future federal funding for long-term services and supports and home- and community-based services; promote economic recovery by revitalizing the direct care workforce and the funding and delivery of the health care system; and address state regulation of nursing home facilities and home- and community-based programs as the pandemic eases and states address recovery.

Apply or Nominate Today: 20 Under 40 Recognizes Young Leaders The CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recognizes the outstanding work of 20 up-and-coming elected and appointed officials from across the country who not only exemplify strong leadership skills but have also demonstrated a true commitment to serving the citizens of their state/territory. All recognized leaders will be 40 years old or younger, and awardees will be recognized during the 2022 CSG National Conference. Apply or submit a nomination at csg.org/20-40. All required materials are due by 5 p.m. Hawaiian Time on Monday, Aug. 1.

THE Y T WEETED IT Senator John Cornyn @JohnCornyn • March 3, 2022 Big thanks to @usmayors, @ leagueofcities, @NACoTweets, @ICMA, @NatlGovsAssoc, @NCSLorg, @ CSGovts & @NCAI1944 for supporting my bill to provide flexibility for unused COVID funds.

Governor David Ige @GovHawaii • Jan. 28, 2022 In Washington, D.C. this morning, I had the opportunity to address @CSGovts for the first time as CSG president. I am honored to lead this non-partisan organization that identifies data-driven, consensusbased solutions that will help us address the challenges we face today.

ePolicyWorks @ePolicyWorks • March 17, 2022 @CSGovts explores recent guidance from @HHSOCR, which clarifies that civil rights protections for people with disabilities continue to have the force of law even when the nation is in a public health emergency. Read the blog: https://buff.ly/3CE54lu

Representative Ajay Pittman @repajaypittman • Jan. 11, 2022 This award is such a honor! Thank you @CSGovts for taking the time to create a award for young leaders throughout our country to be recognized! I will continue to represent the constituents of HD99 both locally & nationally!

CSG South @CSGSouth • Feb. 22, 2022 A very big THANK YOU to our national partners @ CSGovts for their hospitality! It was the perfect end to our #Kentucky #statevist. Thank you HQ!

Maggie Mick @MaggieMMick • March 1, 2022 Happy birthday, Ohio! Great to be in the Buckeye state with colleagues from our @CSGovts Midwest office!

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Boots Ground on the

Interstate compacts help licensed professionals facing mobility challenges by Matt Shafer, Keith Buckhout and Adam Diersing

As a dentist and military spouse, Dr. Christine Hammer says moving has never been simple. Beyond the ordinary logistical challenges of moving, she regularly faces an additional burden — navigating the regulatory system.

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“The most frustrating part of getting multiple licenses over time is the process of having to obtain a number of verifications and documents from all states in which you were licensed previously,” she said. “It’s an incredible amount of time, money and coordination that often requires repeated steps as documents are lost in travel from state to state.”

Hammer’s story is all too familiar for many military spouses. Approximately 1 in 3 military spouses work in a licensed profession. Military families are also one of the most mobile populations in the United States — they are more than 10 times more likely to move to another state each year, and on average, they move to a new state every two years. Because of these high mobility rates, barriers to occupational licensing mobility put an extra burden on military spouses who work in licensed professions. License mobility is an increasingly pertinent issue for the civilian workforce, too. Since 1950, the share of jobs that require a state license has grown from 1 in 20 to 1 in 4. This dramatic rise in occupational licensing, and the traditional role states have played as regulators of professions, has created a patchwork of differing regulatory structures, licensing requirements and scopes of practice.

This regulatory framework can create barriers to work, including complicated, expensive application processes and duplicative licensing requirements. In turn, barriers to work can discourage licensees from moving to a new state or practicing in multiple states, leading to unemployment or underemployment in critical licensed sectors such as health care. In response, state policymakers have sought tools to reduce or remove barriers to mobility for licensed practitioners. Interstate compacts are one powerful option states increasingly use to solve mobility issues, addressing barriers to work that impact military and civilian families alike. Interstate compacts are legally binding, legislatively enacted contracts involving two or more states. States have used interstate compacts for hundreds of years to resolve boundary disputes, manage shared natural resources and recognize one another's legal decisions (for example, the issuance of driver’s licenses). By joining an interstate compact, states agree to the stated provisions and bind themselves together in a legal relationship. Over the past decade, states have turned to interstate compacts to solve the mobility issues caused by the variance in state licensing requirements. These compacts create reciprocal pathways to professional licensure between states, while continuing to ensure the quality and

safety of services and protecting state sovereignty. Interstate compacts also allow states to work collaboratively to solve common licensing challenges and open new channels of communication and joint decision-making.

portability. Through an appropriation of federal funds initiated by the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Department of Defense and the CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts are developing compacts for up to 10 professions.

The benefits of interstate licensing compacts for practitioners include streamlined paths toward re-licensing in a new state, reduced time to employment, the elimination of duplicative requirements and the provision of new opportunities for multi-state practice. These individual benefits reduce workforce shortages and support state economies. Interstate compacts also increase retention in licensed professions and facilitate malpractice investigations and discipline across states, further safeguarding public health.

In collaboration with the Department of Defense, CSG developed and administered a competitive application process to select the professions for initial compact development in late 2020 and early 2021. Eligible applicants included associations of professionals, associations or federations of state licensing boards, coalitions of state licensing boards and national credentialing bodies for professions licensed in at least 30 states. In March 2021, the Department of Defense and CSG announced the selection of:

States have worked to develop individual solutions, with almost every state passing legislation to support the relicensing of military spouses in recent years. States have passed bills that grant temporary or expedited licenses, waive fees or create pathways for out-of-state military spouses to have their licenses recognized in a new state.

• Cosmetology and barbering

PARTNERING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

• K-12 teaching

• Dentistry and dental hygiene • Massage therapy • Social work

The Department of Defense has found that aiding military spouse employment is an important facet of supporting active-duty military service members and their families.

Collectively, these professions represent 5.7 million licensed professionals across the U.S. They were selected based on a variety of factors, including number of licensees, number of military spouses licensed, uniformity of licensure requirements across states and the capacity of the profession to sustain the effort into the future.

For that reason, the department has sought to support the development of interstate compacts as a mechanism for ensuring the professional licenses of military spouses are easily portable. In September 2020, the Department of Defense entered into a cooperative agreement with The Council of State Governments to fund the creation of new interstate compacts designed to strengthen occupational licensing

This opportunity represents the first round of assistance CSG is making available to professions for interstate compact development. The CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts convened working groups involving professionals, professional organizations, state regulators and other stakeholders to identify obstacles to efficient re-licensing and effective solutions to them. Out of these discussions will emerge draft

Active Occupational Licensure Compacts 38 states

Nurse Licensure Compact

36 states

34 states

Physical Therapy Compact

13 states

21 states

3 states*

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact)

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Compact

15 states

Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Compact

Occupational Therapy Compact

Counseling Compact

2 states*

Advanced Practice Nursing Compact

*Compacts do not become active until enacted by a minimum of 10 states.

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Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

27 states

compact language to be crafted into legislative proposals in advance of the 2023 sessions of state legislatures. This process includes a robust review process for interested stakeholders to provide public comment and feedback on the draft language. Developing a viable interstate compact is essential to meeting the challenges these professions face. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, CSG will continue to provide staff support, research and data to these professions in order to facilitate efficient and effective conversations.

ASSISTING THEIR NEW COMMUNITIES Oklahoma state Sen. Adam Pugh, an Air Force veteran, says it’s stressful enough for military families to move frequently, often to places they’ve never been. Worries about lost income can create an unnecessary burden. Additionally, communities often face a shortage of licensed workers, such as teachers, so it’s in everyone’s interest to help licensed professionals get back to work. “I’ve talked to people in different careers, and it’s taken them sometimes two years to reenter the workforce,” Pugh said. “I want them to be able to move to Oklahoma and thrive…I want to be able to get you into a classroom because we really need you.”

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Karen Weiss, a licensed teacher and military spouse, echoed Pugh’s assessment, pointing out that improved licensing processes through a teaching compact would offer benefits for the community as well. She says reducing the time military spouse teachers have to wait for their license might make them less likely to take other jobs in the interim.

“These compacts will allow mobile professionals to bring the licenses they earned and the essential services they provide to communities in different states,” said CSG Chief Public Policy Officer Elizabeth Whitehouse. “We are grateful the Department of Defense recognized the proven ability of the National Center for Interstate Compacts to develop viable occupational licensure compacts and look forward to providing states with opportunities to expand employment opportunities in licensed professions.” The Defense State Liaison Office in the Department of Defense has worked has worked on professional licensure issues among military spouses for almost a decade. The department recognizes that interstate compacts are the best long-term solution to this problem. Marcus Beauregard, director of the Defense State Liaison Office, said compacts “solve an interstate problem with an interstate solution.” “Oftentimes, the main limiting factor for a profession to engage in the process of developing an interstate compact are the technical and financial resources required to do so,” Beauregard said. “The Senate Armed Services Committee was more than willing to support this opportunity to support military spouses through this compact development process. Congress recognized that these compacts have great potential for all practitioners within a profession, not only military spouses.”

THE IMPACT OF COMPACTS ON HEALTH CARE

“The beauty of the ability to obtain a license in a new state immediately is that the military spouse can immediately impact the community surrounding each base by providing a much-needed teacher for that community,” she said.

Throughout the pandemic, states have seen unprecedented shortages in health care professions. Many governors and state legislatures temporarily suspended licensing regulations to allow health care providers to fill these shortages as quickly as possible. By creating a regulatory framework that allows practitioners to work seamlessly across state lines, compacts make permanent what states did temporarily during the height of the pandemic.

The CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts has aided in the development and operation of interstate compacts for decades and has a long history of expertise in occupational licensing, making CSG an ideal partner to assist professions from initial discussions about an interstate compact to enactment among the states. Interested professions are encouraged to remain in contact with CSG as more opportunities for assistance become available.

Compacts also bring professional licensure into the 21st century by facilitating cross-state telehealth practice. The pandemic accelerated the momentum toward greater use of remote technology to deliver physical and mental health diagnoses and treatment. States responded to the pandemic by further streamlining licensing regulations, at least temporarily, and in some cases waiving re-licensing requirements as practitioners delivered remote health care across state lines.

“

The beauty of the ability to obtain a license in a new state immediately is that the military spouse can immediately impact the community surrounding each base by providing a much-needed teacher for that community.” — Karen Weiss, licensed teacher and military spouse

The CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts has a number of national partner organizations: American Dental Association

Association of Social Work Boards

Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards

National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification

However, states have not approached the challenges and opportunities of the surge in remote health care delivery in a uniform way. States have different requirements for out-of-state clinicians, with many still requiring the out-of-state clinician to be licensed in the state where the prospective patient resides — a process of re-licensing that may be costly or arduous for the provider. Regulations are amended frequently in response to changing conditions and are consequently confusing to practitioners and patients. Compacts eliminate ambiguity and provide a consistent streamlined pathway for tele-practice. Throughout 2021, CSG worked with national partner organizations from each of the selected professions to begin developing each compact. CSG staff regularly convened representatives from selected professions, state regulators, subject-matter experts and other industry stakeholders to develop the interstate compacts. CSG and regulatory experts worked to identify obstacles the professions face and collaboratively develop and recommend solutions that will inform the drafting of model compact legislation.

Executive Director of the Texas Behavioral Health Council Darrel Spinks, who worked with CSG on the development of the Social Work Compact, said he appreciated the expertise of CSG in navigating the complex process and that he expects great results. “I hope to see a significant increase in the number of providers eligible to serve Texans,” Spinks said. “I expect the number of providers to increase much faster than what could be accomplished through traditional licensure, and at a much lower cost to the state without any increase in my agency’s workload.” Hammer, the dentist and military spouse, said she hopes the Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Compact allows military spouses “the freedom to live and work in any state, for any period of time, at any point in his or her career, without the burdens and anxieties of being forced to choose between family and profession.” “I continue to be impressed with how unbiased CSG is and how the wide variety of opinions are taken into account equally,” Hammer said. “They are convening a diverse group of stakeholders that each bring a critical and unique perspective.”

What is an interstate compact? recognize one another's legal decisions (for example, the issuance of driver’s licenses). By joining an interstate compact, states agree to the stated provisions and bind themselves together in a legal relationship.

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Interstate compacts are legally binding, legislatively enacted contracts involving two or more states. States have used interstate compacts for hundreds of years to resolve boundary disputes, manage shared natural resources and

Building Talent Pipelines Education policy responds to a changing labor landscape by Andrew Johnson and Anna Lucchese

How can education policy better respond to workforce needs? That’s the question educators and policymakers have been addressing in recent decades as schools across the country have developed education policies to ensure “college and career readiness.” According to the College and Career Readiness and Success Center, 37 states had formal definitions for these terms as of 2014. Thirty-three of the 37 combined “college” and “career” in their definition, indicating the view that post-graduation success looks similar in school and the workforce. By blending the two, policymakers open an opportunity for school and workforce systems to support each other and build workforce pipelines. Currently, policymakers are using this connection to better support career development through education policy to build a workforce that responds to the demands of employers.

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Other policies are designed to focus on skills that can be generally applied to several occupational fields. In Maryland, the state legislature implemented the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which provides funding for general education programs, transitional support, English language learners, special education and support for early childhood development. This program works with students of all ages to develop general skills that can be applicable to a wide range of career opportunities. For high school students, the program creates new curriculum standards and expands CTE programs to help students be better equipped for post-graduation learning and future careers. The program also includes provisions to support teacher career development, which in turn supports student achievement. Together, these measures holistically improve Maryland’s education and workforce.

CURRICULUM-BASED APPROACHES

Some state workforce development policies support workforce development through improved school standards. The Ohio legislature created a performance ranking system to measure overall academic performance by schools across the state. One of the metrics used to assess effectiveness is based on how well each school prepares its students to enter the workforce. Through this system, schools that have a relatively high percentage of students enrolled in career-technical and college credit courses receive higher performance rankings. According to this statute, college credit is available through earning industry-recognized credentials, completing a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship in the student’s desired career path and achieving proficiency on three or more state technical assessments.

One policy approach seeks to incorporate skill development for various careers into in-school instruction. This is typically done through

States also are ensuring students and their families know about

States have used innovative approaches in doing so. Some policies modify school operations, such as funding and state evaluations, to ensure students have opportunities to explore various career pathways through the academic curriculum. Other programs provide students with hands-on training in the field in specific, high-demand sectors.

a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Career and Technical Education (CTE). These measures teach students about future career endeavors in scientific fields and include programs designed to address growing workforce needs in local communities. For example, the Virginia state legislature established a funding mechanism for the STARBASE Youth Education Program to prepare students for STEM-related careers. This Department of Defense-supported program teaches students math and science skills through practical learning experiences. In the program, which primarily focuses on fifth graders, students experience 25 hours of hands-on classroom instruction that encourages critical thinking skills and STEM application. In 2019, 1,207 students graduated from the program, with 96% of them coming from Title I schools. Other states have implemented the STARBASE program as well, including Georgia, Kansas and Michigan.

The Department of Defense-supported STARBASE program teaches students math and science skills through practical learning experiences. Virginia’s STARBASE program graduated 1,207 students in 2019. Other states that have implemented STARBASE include Georgia, Kansas and Michigan.

Montana reports that occupations that can be filled through apprenticeships represent nearly 47% of their projected worker demand. Healthcare and Social Assistance, a recently incorporated industry, was the second largest industry sponsor for apprenticeships in 2019.

current workforce opportunities. Maine and Michigan require schools to provide students information about work-based learning/CTE opportunities, as well as up-to-date workforce analysis. Michigan specifically requires analyses of in-demand occupations in the school’s local region, while Maine requires employment projections throughout the state.

WORK-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS Many states are establishing work-based learning opportunities for secondary and postsecondary students. Work-based learning can take different forms across states, schools and industries, but generally gives students access to learning outside the classroom. Students work with local industries to receive on-the-job training while receiving in-class instruction. The most recognized applications of work-based learning are apprenticeships and internships. In 2018 the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program reported that well-designed work-based learning experiences provide students with age-appropriate and supported guidance to “develop the skills that employers seek in new hires.” Workbased learning is often associated with trade and labor professions, but increasingly encompasses multiple industries, including non-profit organizations and the public and private sectors. Idaho legislators recognized the wide-ranging application of workbased learning in schools, and recently passed legislation codifying and ensuring equal access to such opportunities across the state. This legislation sets a framework for how worksite-based learning experiences can qualify for education credit, such as contributing to graduation requirements or mastery of state/local standards. The state identifies a broad range of possible apprenticeship agencies, including non-profit organizations, local businesses, trade associations and the military.

Some states are seeking to use apprenticeship programs to solve specific workforce shortages in the public sector, such as in P-12 teaching. In 2019, Colorado’s Cherry Creek

Tennessee recently became the first state to establish a permanent “grow your own” model approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. According to Gov. Bill Lee, “these apprenticeships will create a pipeline of experienced teachers with valuable on-the-job training and help ensure quality education for generations of Tennessee students.”

NEW JERSEY’S APPROACH TO APPRENTICESHIPS New Jersey showcases the versatility of designing apprenticeship policy to grow the workforce. In early 2020, the state created the High-Growth Industry Regional Apprenticeship Development Grant Pilot Program to provide funding for newly created apprenticeships in high-growth industries and establish geographic service areas. The state also recently created a task force to diversify apprenticeships. The task force develops industry-specific recommendations to expand apprenticeship services to historically underrepresented groups. Shortly after, the state enacted an apprentice mentorship program to support women, minorities and people with disabilities in high-demand industries. In a recent CSG webinar, “The Future of Apprenticeship: Inclusion and Expansion in a Post-Pandemic World of Work,” New Jersey state Sen. Teresa Ruiz discussed her state’s accomplishments and how she navigates the policy sphere of apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are an opportunity to improve student education outcomes, while growing the state workforce. Ruiz saw an opportunity to improve apprenticeship equity. “There is a need to make sure that we are training individuals all across the state of New Jersey, so our workforce spaces look exactly like we are in the state of New Jersey,” she said. Whether by prioritizing work-based learning or refining classroom courses and curricula, state policymakers are finding solutions to meet the developing demands of existing employers and potential employees. By reinforcing educational connections to the workforce, states are providing additional opportunities for students to be prepared for workforce needs.

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Apprenticeships and other work-based learning programs can be used to fill the needs of the future workforce as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a substantial growth in industries like health care and broader social services between 2020 and 2030. Demand for home health and personal care aides is estimated to grow 32.6%, while demand for medical assistants is estimated to grow 18.4%. Montana, for example, reports that occupations that can be filled through apprenticeships represent nearly 47% of their projected worker demand. Healthcare and Social Assistance, a recently incorporated industry, was the second largest industry sponsor for apprenticeships in 2019.

School District started its Future Educator Pathway, which allows high school juniors and seniors to work in the district in apprenticeships as paraprofessionals. Students take education classes counting toward high school and college credit while spending part of the day working in elementary schools as members of the district staff. The program gives students hands-on experience as education professionals, which can support recruitment and retention in the local area.

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tates have seen major social and economic transformations over the last two years due to COVID-19. The pandemic created new workforce trends and exacerbated others, shifting engagement patterns among employers and employees and providing workers with the opportunity to reflect on personal and professional priorities.

As a result, the virus led to what has been called “the Great Resignation,” with over 47 million Americans leaving their jobs in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the economic infrastructure returning to a semblance of normal as the U.S. enters a new and less restrictive stage of the pandemic, employees continue to leave their jobs at substantial rates. Many are taking the opportunity to find better positions, change careers or restructure work schedules. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), economists predict 2022 will continue to have high turnover, especially for those employers who can’t afford to pay for retention efforts. “As we finish the third quarter of 2022, I don’t expect this to improve with the Ukraine/Russian War,” said Regan Gross, human resources knowledge advisor for SHRM. “If they didn’t during the pandemic, more employees will be re-evaluating their lives and a big part of that — their jobs.” The pandemic and the resulting Great Resignation have transformed employment lifecycles and highlight the urgency for states and employers to adapt to more flexible and accommodating work models. “Smart employers are engaging in a two-way decision-making process with employees,” Gross said. “They are listening to what employees want, making those changes when feasible. They are learning to be empathetic, accountable and improve employer/employee relationships and perceptions. “These things tend to take time and aren’t instant, like providing a raise or promotion.” Unemployment is still low — below 4% — and job candidates have the upper hand, Gross said. Employers are having to think creatively to attract these candidates, whether it is recruiting from other states, paying for student loans or offering more flexible work schedules and work-from-home or hybrid arrangements.

These tactics can become part of what experts call the employee lifecycle. Patterns can vary across sectors and states, but common characteristics of the employee lifecycle include recruitment, training, re-training and upskilling and retention. In each phase, there are multiple ways state policymakers can support employers, workers and job seekers.

Embracing alternative work settings — particularly those involving virtual participation — can help employers access larger, geographically dispersed talent pools. Policymakers can support recruitment and hiring for the state’s private sector through direct and virtual services that publicize job opportunities, including those that can occur remotely, and guide in-state residents through the job application process and connect them to relevant employment positions across the state. States can implement virtual work incentives to improve recruitment of out-of-state workers and opportunities for those seeking new geographic settings. “State employers are no longer competing with the local job market,” Gross said. “They can find competition for talent with so many companies having expanded their reach to remote work nationally. States that can offer remote work should take a good look at how to make it a reality in order to be competitive. Even if it’s remote, but within their state, that’s a good start.” Last year, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced a launch of Ascend West Virginia, a program that incentivizes recruitment by offering $12,000 to remote workers who move to West Virginia. States can provide funds for these programs through public-private collaborations; the funds for this initiative were provided through a $25-million-dollar gift from the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative. States can also consider restructuring their service delivery and workforce systems, as the Missouri Division of Workforce Development did recently. “We’ve identified many steps that can be streamlined and scaled across the state by working individually with each of our workforce regions,” said Missouri Deputy Director of Workforce Development Yvonne Wright. Missouri has expanded virtual services in response to the pandemic to strengthen private sector recruiting and hiring, including a free mobile app that connects job seekers to job center services and facilitates on-line applications available from phones and tablets. The app, called MoJobs Connect, identifies positions that match an applicant’s resume by highlighting key skillsets. “The Great Resignation does not mean that people are completely leaving the workforce,” Wright said. “They are rethinking their priorities, including how and where they want to work.” In Indiana, the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet initiated the Rapid Recovery for a Better Future plan to provide comprehensive support for job seekers, including one-on-one virtual career coaching to help individuals assess their relevant job skills and better understand workforce needs and specific positions. States also can assist employers and employees by subsidizing worker training opportunities for businesses that cannot afford to create them on their own. In Massachusetts, the Workforce Training Fund provides grants to employers to help their workers with skill development.

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To retain good employees — and to ensure jobs stay in the state — employers should consider all options within their budgets, Gross says, including in-house e-learning platforms, job rotations, upskilling and reskilling.

RECRUITING AND JOB SEEKING

Other efforts involve funding directed at developing the skills of untrained and low-wage workers. States can create innovative “non-traditional” apprenticeships to recruit individuals to small businesses that need workers but lack the resources to effectively train them. For example, the Viticulture Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) in Missouri is a National Science Foundation-funded partnership between state colleges and universities and vineyards and wineries across America. The program offers online courses and certification programs to grow the industry workforce.

TRAINING AND RE-TRAINING During the pandemic, states have developed new models for training and re-training workers to assist them in becoming adept with technological innovations necessary for continued productivity in a remote environment. These new models sustain workers in their current positions and prepare individuals entering the workforce for the first time and those changing career paths. To strengthen the skills of residents, states can establish public-private partnerships that promote online learning and skill development. Through their collaboration with Coursera, the Missouri Division of Workforce Development offers a virtual training platform that welcomes any adult looking to initiate a career pathway or journey into a new field.

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“We work and counsel with individuals to help them figure out what courses will get them where they want to be and offer stackable credentials,” Wright said.

To complement online skill developmental opportunities, states can build teams of virtual service specialists who assist residents in accessing specialized resources that support training and re-training opportunities. In Arizona, the Arizona@WORK program is a statewide workforce development network connecting job applicants and employees to educational and developmental opportunities. Program specialists are available across the state at no cost to assist applicants in navigating the application process for online adult education, disability access, apprenticeships and more. In states like Missouri, these virtual service teams also connect residents to expansive wraparound services that assist workers through major hurdles of their employment life cycles. “They [virtual service specialists] provide support services along the way and will even connect you to another agency that provides child care, for

example,” Wright said. “Whatever wraparound supportive services you might need, they stay with you through the entire process.” Indiana has established partnerships to coordinate training and skill development for individuals. “Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development has several programs aimed at connecting Hoosiers with jobs aligning their skills and interests, as well as providing training for citizens,” said Sen. David Niezgodski, ranking minority member of the Indiana Senate’s Pensions and Labor Committee. This includes a program called 180 Skills, which Niezgodski says will allow up to 100,000 Hoosiers to gain key workforce skills free of charge through an online library of courses. These courses cover the range of general employability skills across job sectors, as well as specific industry training. State leaders can leverage career and technical education systems to prepare individuals entering the workforce. In Ohio, House Bill 303 was enacted in June 2021 to expand career and technical education opportunities for high school students by providing economic incentives for employers to collaborate. “So, if you’re in high school, you can actually get credit by going out and working in a facility…and the return on investment is huge, because the business will hire some of these people when they get out,” said Ohio state Rep. Jay Edwards, chair of the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee. Apprenticeships are another avenue for implementing on-the-job training for individuals entering the workforce. In Texas, the Youth Apprenticeship Partnership was launched by Educate Texas and the Texas Business Leadership Council to develop work-based learning strategies to support youth and young adults statewide. Partnership collaborators identify high-demand, high-growth industries — such as health care, information technology and advanced manufacturing — throughout Texas.

UPSKILLING Regular opportunities for upskilling are key to productive employee experiences and professional growth. According to Gallup, over 50% of workers seek opportunities to upskill or learn new skills and advance their careers. Upskilling workers also assists employers in retaining employees longer term; over 70% of workers who participate in upskilling opportunities say it has improved their satisfaction at work.

In Ohio, the Ohio TechCred Program reimburses employers for offering employees short-term training courses through community colleges and universities across the state.

Small businesses struggle to afford to pay employees, their business already costing more to run with inflation, and of course there are some who work the unemployment system, all drawing on the local economy.”

“It doesn’t cost the employer a dime, even the time they [employees] are away from work; we’re giving employers $2,000 per credential when their prospective or current employees complete one of these technology-focused credential programs,” Edwards said.

States are creating new ways to keep high-performing workers over the long term.

These programs are important for upskilling older workers, in addition to training younger workers. “The people that have been working for companies for a while deserve an opportunity without stalling [their development]…to upskill and become more up-to-date on continuing education that might not be required in that line of work.” Incumbent worker training is another notable innovation in retaining and upskilling workers in some states. In California, these training programs help employers upgrade the skillsets of their workforce to remain competitive and promote retention and advancement within an organization. Incumbent worker training can help employers adjust to evolving employment life cycles by growing their workforce, while helping employees improve productivity, increase earnings and remain with their company. States can market to employers how these training programs can upskill employees and further invest in workers’ professional growth.

RETAINING With a record number of people leaving their jobs over the last year, policymakers are anxious to help employers retain workers, reduce turnover costs and support employees seeking long-term job satisfaction. “Policymakers have an interest in the stability of their local economies and the job market can directly impact consumerism,” said Gross with Society for Human Resource Management. “If people aren’t staying in jobs very long because there is a lot of movement, they aren’t going to be providing the best service to patrons/citizens in various segments and they also aren’t necessarily going to be big consumers while in job transitions.

The Maine Department of Labor is providing $12 million in grants for in-state businesses to significantly expand apprenticeships. Expanded apprenticeship programs can help the private sector retain employees through wage growth and upskilling. Certification and credentialing through registered apprenticeships also can help employers develop a pipeline to incent employees to stay and advance with their employer. Extensive services that go beyond traditional employment support can increase worker retention. Indiana’s Rapid Recovery Plan also helps worker professional development by strengthening skills for long-term employment. “If someone can take more time to invest in a job they actually like and are suited for, it’s much more likely they’re going to stay in the workforce and their position rather than dropping in and out,” Niezgodski said. To complement workforce goals, the plan expanded wraparound services and collaboration with other government agencies to help address workers’ personal needs and professional goals. Niezgodski says this initiative connects families and individuals to food resources, housing help and childcare options, all of which are conducive to finding long-term employment. The pandemic has upended employee life cycles and the Great Resignation marks a shift in the way people think about employment. State policymakers are creating different approaches to incentivizing workers to develop skills and helping employers find sustainable workplace models. While many are leaving the workforce and employers are struggling to replace them, there is a hidden job market of workers who are seeking something that aligns with their desired employment and personal goals. “We’ve learned a great deal [from the pandemic],” Niezgodski said, “and we need to use this knowledge to do the best we can for our workforce.”

The Apprenticeship Data and Performance Technical Assistance Center (ADAP-TAC) will provide in-person and virtual trainings for policymakers and stakeholders, conduct process modeling, assist with data collection and submission and more. Read more about ADAP-TAC in an expanded version of this article at csg.org/publications/capitol-ideas.

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A $4 million cooperative agreement between CSG and the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship will improve data collection and analysis related to apprenticeship programs and participants.

Investing in Infrastructure Encompassing roads and bridges, broadband, energy, water quality and more, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act offers states unprecedented opportunities by Ben Reynolds

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Passed on Nov. 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act contains $1.2 trillion in spending, $550 billion of which is new federal spending while the remaining $650 billion comes from reallocation from other federal programs or from past funding sources. State leaders have access to this new funding focused on transportation, broadband, cybersecurity, energy, environment and disaster response. As policymakers prepare for an influx of cash, CSG offers ongoing fiscal analysis and resources for understanding federal spending.

The CSG policy research team is available to partner with policymakers on research projects related to these and other issues facing the states. If you have a research request or would like more information, please contact Sarah Needler, director of research, at research@csg.org. Funds from the infrastructure act will be disbursed primarily through formula grants and competitive grants. Formula grants are non-competitive allocations in which disbursements are based on a predetermined formula set by legislation and regulations.

Formula grants are a common way federal funds are given to state agencies and state-run projects. Competitive grants are awarded based on the merits of the project. These funds are allocated at the discretion of agencies charged with disbursement. States own and maintain the vast majority of the roads and bridges throughout the country, including the interstate highway system. In fact, states maintain around one million miles of streets and highways that account for 85% of vehicle travel miles. The U.S. Department of Transportation has determined that 21.8% of roads are in poor condition and 7.6% of bridges need to be repaired or replaced. States often rely on federal funding to assist in funding costly road and bridge projects. The infrastructure act funds (or creates various programs to administer funds for) critical infrastructure.

ROADWAY REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE To help states fund roadway projects, the infrastructure act reauthorizes the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program for another four years. The Surface Transportation Block Grant Program contains $72 billion in formula grants to be distributed to state transportation departments. The infrastructure act expands the scope of eligible activities for which states can use these block grant funds to include the creation and operation of a state office to oversee public-private partnerships that can receive federal highway or transit funding. States also can use Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds to cover project administrative costs. The federal share for any project is 90% for a project on an interstate highway and 80% for any other projects. Funds will be released to state transportation departments in October 2022.

BRIDGE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE The infrastructure act allocates approximately $40 billion to the Federal Highway Administration for bridge projects. A new $12.2 billion competitive grant program, the Bridge Investment Program, allows states to apply for a grant to replace or repair bridges on the National Bridge Inventory. For example, Kentucky and Ohio are jointly applying for funding through the Bridge Investment Program to replace the Brent Spence Bridge, which spans the Ohio River. The Federal Highway Administration is also administering roughly $27 billion over four years to state transportation departments through the Bridge Formula Program. This new program provides formula funding to states for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, protection or construction projects on public roads.

RAILWAY REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE The infrastructure act is also investing $66 billion in advanced appropriations over four years to improve the nation’s passenger and freight rail networks. These programs will modernize the Northeast Corridor (stretching from Washington, D.C., to Boston), expand passenger rail outside of the corridor, improve rail safety and upgrade freight rail infrastructure. State and local governments face an estimated $105 billion repair backlog on public transportation systems. To reduce the backlog through funding capital projects, the Federal Railroad Administration is administering $36 billion in competitive grants through the heavily revised Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants. Revised to expand the list of eligible projects outside the Northeast Corridor, this program funds capital projects to reduce the backlog and improve intercity passenger rail. An additional $7.5 billion is authorized contingent on future appropriations. In 2020, Connecticut used approximately $29 million of the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants to rehabilitate and upgrade platform and track areas of the Worcester Union Station.

In 2020, Connecticut used approximately $29 million of the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants to rehabilitate and upgrade platform and track areas of the Worcester Union Station. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE To further ensure systems repair will occur, the Federal Transit Administration is administering $91 billion in new and existing programs. States can use these funds to support efforts in repairing and modernizing public transportation while also expanding public transportation options. The infrastructure act reauthorizes the State of Good Repair Grants for over four years. The FTA will disburse roughly $21 billion in formula grants to state and local transportation departments for designated projects. The FTA will match up to 80% of the cost of capital projects that bring fixed guideway systems and equipment into a state of good repair. The infrastructure act also adds a competitive grant component, contingent on future appropriations, for states to fund projects to replace rail rolling stock (locomotives, freight cars and flat cars) State transportation agencies can also compete for funds from a new competitive grant — the Capital Investment Grant Program — for projects on the hundreds of miles of “fixed guideways” in need of repair or replacement. Fixed guideway refers to public transportation systems that use right-of-way or rail lines exclusively for public transportation. This can include light rail, ferries and bus rapid transit. Eligible projects under the program are Small Starts and New Starts, corridor-based

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Program. The Federal Highway Administration is dispensing approximately $15 billion over four years to states for safety projects on public roads. State transportation departments must use a data-driven process when selecting highway safety improvement projects. Projects should be selected based on crash experience, crash potential, crash rate or other data-supported means. The second round of funding will be released in October 2022. The state of Washington received $26 million in Highway Safety Improvement Program funds, and in 2019, 70% of such funds were used to fund local safety projects. One such project was to design safer slopes on lane departures in Adams County.

The state of Washington received $26 million in Highway Safety Improvement Program funds, and in 2019, 70% of such funds were used to fund local safety projects. One such project was to design safer slopes on lane departure in Adams County.

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projects and intercity rail/public transportation projects. Small Starts are fixed guideway projects costing less than $400 million and seeking less than $150 million from the Capital Investment Grants. New Starts are fixed guideway projects with more than $400 million in costs and seeking more than $150 million in Capital Investment Grants funding. The maximum share that the Capital Investment Grants Program can cover is 80%, except for New Starts projects where the share is 60%. Projects must have a degree of local commitment with evidence of stable financing sources. Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority is preparing to implement a 25.3-mile bus rapid transit line across Houston. The project is estimated to cost $1.56 billion with 60% ($936 million) coming from the Capital Investment Grant program.

Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority is preparing to implement a 25.3-mile bus rapid transit line across Houston. The project is estimated to cost $1.56 billion with 60% ($936 million) coming from the Capital Investment Grant program. ROADWAY SAFETY The United States has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the industrialized world. An estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020, of which 6,236 were pedestrians. Motor vehicle crashes were up 18% in the first half of 2021 over 2020. To help states improve the safety of their transportation systems, the infrastructure act is investing nearly $38 billion toward safety projects. States will continue to receive formula grants through the Highway Safety Improvement

The Federal Railroad Administration is authorized to expend $3 billion in funds through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant program. These competitive grants will allow states to improve highway-rail or pathway-rail crossings. Eligible projects under the program include grade separation or closure, track relocation and installation of protective signals and signs. Funding for Fiscal Year 2023 will be released in October 2022.

AIR AND WATER TRANSPORTATION The infrastructure act also invests in America’s airports, ports and waterways, allocating $25 billion for repair and maintenance needs, reduction of congestion and emissions and the modernization of the National Aerospace System. An additional $16.7 billion is dedicated to projects that improve infrastructure at coastal ports, inland ports and waterways and land ports of entry along the border. Airport Infrastructure Grant funds totaling $15 billion over five years are available to states that own an airport belonging to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. The Federal Aviation Administration will issue a notice of funding for competitive $20 million annual grants for traffic control tower construction and maintenance in May 2022.

BROADBAND The pandemic has accelerated the need for broadband access for essential functions including school, work and access to health care. However, approximately 30 million people live in areas with either no broadband infrastructure or unacceptable minimum internet speeds. Internet access is especially lacking in rural areas. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is investing $65 billion in new and existing programs that expand broadband infrastructure and assist in lowering internet prices. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is administering $42 billion through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. Created by the infrastructure act, states and Puerto Rico will each receive a minimum of $100 million in funds while the remaining territories will each receive a minimum of $25 million for broadband planning, deployment and adoption projects. The remaining funds will be distributed based on a formula that considers the number of unserved and high-cost locations in the state based on maps to be published by the Federal Communications Commission.

ADDITIONAL BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS Program Name

Bureau Name

State Digital Equity Capacity Grant

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

State Digital Equity Competitive Grant

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Middle Mile Grants Program

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Funding Amount

Period of Availability

1,440,000,000

Available until expended

1,250,000,000

Available until expended

1,000,000,000

Fiscal Years 2022–26

Funding Mechanism

Grant

New Program

Next Project Milestone

Yes

Estimated application opening date; TBD

Yes

Estimated application opening date, TBD.

Yes

Estimated application opening date, 2nd quarter 2022.

WATER

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act makes significant investments in projects to improve the nation’s energy infrastructure and environmental resilience. Many of these projects will require significant cooperation by and among states. The infrastructure act provides approximately $75 billion toward energy projects, $21.3 billion of which will go to energy infrastructure that delivers clean energy and $21.5 billion for clean energy demonstration projects like clean hydrogen and advanced nuclear reactors. States are required to engage public-private partnerships. An initiative called Program Upgrading Our Electrical Grid and Enduring Reliability and Resiliency makes available $5 billion in funding through cooperative agreements or grants. These grants are to facilitate regional grid resilience through partnerships among utility owners and operators and states with utility cooperatives. A combination of two or more states, local governments and/ or public utility companies are the intended recipients of the funds, which will be available in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Around 10 million households do not have access to clean drinking water. The infrastructure act provides $23 billion for states to establish Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs. These funds will allow states to offer loans and grants to eligible entities for water projects. These water projects must focus on disadvantaged communities. The infrastructure act requires that 49% of Clean Water State Revolving Funds be eligible as grants or 100% of the funds be principal forgiveness loans. The Indianapolis Airport Authority received $30 million from Indiana’s State Revolving Fund Loan program in 2019 to install new stormwater and deicing runoff infrastructure.

To help states reduce carbon emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency is providing grants, rebates or contracts through the newly established Clean School Bus Program. Approximately $5 billion over five years will be allocated to state agencies to replace school bus fleets with low and zero emission school buses.

RESILIENCE To assist communities in responding to natural disasters and cyberattacks, the infrastructure act contains approximately $50 billion for programs that increase resilience. This includes $8.7 billion in grants from the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost Saving Transportation Grants program, which contains roughly $7.2 billion over four years in formula grants for states to conduct resilience planning and increase the resilience of surface transportation infrastructure from the impact of natural disasters. Another $1.4 billion in competitive grants is available over four years for states. To view more examples of programs in each category, explore our expanded online content at csg.org/publications/capitol-ideas.

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ENERGY

TENNESSEE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS A conversation with Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton

by Joel Sams Ten years of annual business growth in Tennessee. A top-10 rank for inbound migration to the state. Coincidence? Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton doesn’t think so. Tennessee’s reputation as an economic powerhouse is growing. During the last quarter of 2021, Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced 10 years of uninterrupted year-over-year growth in quarterly new business filings. The state saw 75,300 new business filings in the last year alone, marking six consecutive quarters of double-digit growth. “Entrepreneurship in Tennessee has really taken off,” Sexton said. “I think you see more people opening up their own businesses in a wide variety of different fields. I also think you've seen us recruit a lot of new businesses and headquarters to Tennessee…. When you do things to help all types of businesses, you allow for more people to have opportunities to start something to be successful.”

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Sexton, who was elected to the legislature in 2010, also works in business development for One Bank of Tennessee and serves on the bank’s board of directors. With an academic background in public administration, he’s well-positioned to think about market questions in a public context.

Tennessee doesn’t have a state minimum wage — it’s one of just five such states, according to U.S. Department of Labor — but wages are still responding to the market. “You've seen that in health care, with the hourly rate almost triple what it was just a year-and-a-half ago,” he said. “You see people even in starting jobs, like the fast-food industry, the ones where you get your start in the labor market, paying anywhere from $12 to $16 an hour now… The market is driving the wages up.” Wage growth is apparent in banking, where Sexton says he’s seeing more money flowing in and more deposits. He also sees a connection to mortgage financing, which has spiked during the last two years. According to a study of moving data by United Van Lines, Tennessee was among the top 10 states for inbound migration in 2021, with a total inbound percentage of 62% (38% outbound). “With interest rates going up, you're watching to see if that slows down, but as of right now, Tennessee's a very hot market in real estate, all across the state,” Sexton said. “It used to just be you could say it was just the areas in Nashville and outside Nashville — now it's West Tennessee. It's Knoxville, it’s the Tri-Cities, it’s Chattanooga. You have really seen uptake all across the state in real estate.”

“At CSG, we love to celebrate the success stories of state governments and The reasons behind inbound migration to Tennessee are varied. Sexton highlight the elected officials who helped achieve great results,” said CSG points to low costs and regulation. Data from United Van Lines showed Executive Director/CEO David Adkins. “The Tennessee story didn't happen that the primary reasons for inbound moves were job (31.61%), followed overnight or by chance. Speaker Sexton, a valued leader within CSG, has by retirement (21.90%), family (29.13%) and lifestyle (17.36%). Whatever demonstrated vision and skill in helping govern and guide his state. By being motivations movers may have, the numbers confirm that people increasstrategically focused on smart growth, leveraging strengths, marshaling ingly see Tennessee as an attractive option. resources and innovating to sharpen the state's competitive edge, Speaker Sexton and those who serve with him have come together to position “When you went through the pandemic, people realized that they could Tennessee for continued success now and into the future. Other states will work virtually and live anywhere they wanted,” Sexton said. “I think people undoubtedly seek to emulate Tennessee's success as they work to replicate it." are moving to states like Texas, Tennessee and Florida because, I think, they agree with that approach [of low taxes and low regulation].” In the legislature, Sexton is known for his pragmatism, but he’s equallymarked by a passion for his work. During a time of rapid economic and workThe biggest challenges in the Tennessee economy, Sexton says, are worker force change, Sexton is energized by emerging economic opportunities. shortages. Like many states, Tennessee has seen early retirements and One of the state’s most noticeable job market trends, Sexton says, is wage women leaving the workforce, and businesses have struggled to find the growth. Pointing to the ground-up nature of the change, he noted that workers they need.

“Our biggest problem right now is you can't talk to any business in Tennessee that's not looking to hire individuals,” Sexton said. “[We are thinking about] what that means as we continue to look at reforming our business policies. Also, I think you'll see more innovation and more efficiencies coming, to a certain degree, to make up for the lack of labor that's available right now.”

ASKED & ANSWERED Who are your biggest inspirations?

Education, apprenticeships and skills training play an important role in the workforce conversation. (Read more about employee upskilling and retention on p. 12). In the wake of school closures and virtual learning, Tennessee saw “a reduction in our attainment levels in all grades throughout the state,” Sexton said. In response, the state has invested in literacy and math proficiency measures to help students regain lost ground.

During high school, I worked for a pharmacist in Knoxville, John Karnes, and John gave me a lot of insight into life. He was a wonderful individual who helped me along. Another person who’s been a big influence is Lt. Gov. Randy McNally. His was the first campaign I got to work on (he was a state senator at the time). He's known me since I was 16, and so I never thought I would serve with him. He’s been a very strong mentor as well.

That’s only part of the puzzle, though. Leaders are also focused on reworking funding formulas to better support today’s classrooms, as well as building more educational pathways to good jobs.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

“We've had a huge uptick in certificates for very well-paying jobs for kids who can almost graduate high school with a certificate, or shortly thereafter, to go get a job in a lot of different areas,” Sexton said. Another area Tennessee leaders are investigating is closer partnerships between businesses and schools to shorten the time frame to a vocational certificate. Most vocational programs, he says, are 18 to 24 months long, but combined with on-the-job training, Sexton hopes to see more four- to six-month vocational certificates.

As a leader, Sexton says he’s benefitted from CSG offerings, especially in the Southern region, and he appreciates the ability to interact with policymakers from other states, as well as having a nonpartisan resource for technical assistance. “It's great having an organization that has technical staff that you can call and say, ‘Hey, we're looking at this right now; do you know of any other states?’ and them giving you papers and information and helping you through issues,” he said. “It’s a very beneficial, nonpartisan group that allows each state to be individual, and not trying to force you one way or the other."

What are you reading? I'm more of a history reader. I’ve been reading “The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America's Soul” by Brian Kilmeade.

Many people have an item they always keep on their desk. What's yours? Two things. I’m related to Howard Baker [chief of staff to Ronald Reagan and U.S. Ambassador to Japan under George W. Bush] and I keep a bust of Abraham Lincoln that belonged to him. My grandfather was a coal miner, so I also keep a figure of a miner that’s chiseled out of coal.

What advice would you give to younger leaders? You have people in your life, and you enter other people’s lives, and everyone is there for a purpose. Your job is to help people in their time of need — to be a listening ear or to offer other assistance to them. We all have a purpose.

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“In our state, I'm sure it's like anywhere else — the goal, when someone graduates high school, is to have the aptitude, the knowledge and the skill set to either go find a job, be able to go to vocational school or go to university… Tennessee's approach is really not to have the government decide what's best, but to really partner with the businesses and try to do things that will help them be successful to get the employees that they need to continue to grow their business.”

I love musicals. Growing up, my favorite musical was “Guys and Dolls.” I also enjoy “Les Miserables.”

The New Agriculture Economy Access to land and capital, workforce shortages and climate change are reshaping the way we eat

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by Joel Sams

Amy Bishop had the skills and experience to be a successful farmer. She just needed land.

“There’s just no possible way unless we wanted to be in debt forever — literally until we were dead,” he said.

Over the course of 10 years, she scoured plat books and aerial images to identify vacant farmsteads within larger parcels of land, and she wrote more than 30 letters asking landowners in Eastern Minnesota to sell.

Supporting new and beginning farmers is just one area of concern for state policymakers as the agricultural economy continues to shift. Workforce shortages and climate change pose significant challenges too, and state leaders say addressing these issues will be an important part of building resiliency in a sector that touches most aspects of life.

“I had very little response from those,” said Amy, whose vision was to start a small, diversified farm along with her husband, Aaron. “It was just a little bit disheartening, over the years, for having written so many letters.” The Bishops say the challenge of land cost and availability was nearly insurmountable. That changed when Harvey Benson, an older farmer and close friend of the couple, included them in his succession plan. Benson continues to live on the land, but Aaron and Amy took over farm ownership and operations, making low payments that will eventually total about half of the 160 acres’ current value. Without that gift, Aaron said, buying a comparable farm would have been impossible.

According to a study commissioned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, U.S. jobs directly related to food and agriculture totaled 22.8 million in 2019, with wages of $729 billion and $2.1 trillion in economic output. (This includes direct farming and ranching, manufacturing, wholesale and retail). In addition to putting food on tables, agriculture provides the foundation of rural economies. “You wonder why your rural schools close, or your rural businesses, your hardware store, your grocery store close, if you don’t have people on the farm,” said Minnesota state Rep. Rick Hansen.

NEW AND BEGINNING FARMERS For new and beginning farmers across the U.S., the challenges Amy and Aaron Bishop faced finding land will sound familiar. In time, their unique solution may become more familiar too. Veronica Nigh, an economist at the Farm Bureau, says access to land and capital are two of the biggest obstacles for beginning farmers across the U.S. At the same time, the average age of farmers has been increasing for decades, and older farmers often face challenges in transferring their operation to the next generation. Farms are also getting bigger to stay profitable, Nigh says, setting off a cascade of rising costs. “All the economies of scale kick in,” Nigh said. “We’re seeing increase in prices for land, increased prices for inputs, for machinery. All of these things make it all the more challenging for new farmers ranchers to enter the business.” Nigh says tax policy is an important area for policymakers to think about in supporting new and beginning farmers. At the federal level, she says that means protecting things like stepped-up basis for farmers to shield new operators from potentially devastating taxes on increased land value. At the state level, too, Nigh says leaders should be aware of how tax policy impacts farmers’ ability to transfer their farms to the next generation. Additionally, some states are creating matching programs to help older farmers identify non-related new and beginning farmers to take over their operations. In Minnesota, legislation during the 2021 session allotted $300,000 for an emerging farmer office and hired a full-time emerging farmer outreach coordinator. The state also maintains FarmLink, a website that matches farmers who are nearing retirement without family members to take over the farm and beginning farmers who are looking for land to rent or buy. Minnesota state Rep. Rick Hansen says demand outpaces supply in the state’s new Emerging Farmer’s Program. “We’re finding that there are more people who are seeking to come into farming than are wanting to transfer,” he said. “So, we think it’s a good program. But it’s not enough. The barriers are still there.”

“We’re moving towards a world where the way to get into agriculture is to be born into it, or marry into it, or find some other way of inheriting, and that’s not the system that has the resiliency that is needed for the future.” — Minnesota state Rep. Rick Hansen

“There are a lot of great lenders out there for agriculture and for beginning farmers as well, but folks do fall through the cracks, especially if they lack equity or collateral and they can’t actually get that first step in the door at a bank saying, ‘Hey, I’m worth it. Take a risk on me. Let me prove myself,’” Greenberg said. “That’s where we want to fill in and play a role and help get more young people, more beginning producers, get that initial foot in the door.”

Whether they’re beginning farmers or seasoned veterans, small market producers or industrial operators, farmers and ranchers feel the same workforce shortages that impact every other sector of the economy. “Access to affordable and reliable labor was a crisis before COVID, and COVID only magnified and compounded an already Top 3 agricultural issue nationwide,” said Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. “People who want to work outside, work 80-hour weeks and be exposed to the uniqueness of agriculture are hard to come by.” In Quarles’ assessment, the influx of federal aid during the pandemic exacerbated already-existing workforce challenges in his state. He says Kentucky has the second-lowest workforce participation rate in the U.S., so it’s a challenge to get people back into the workforce at all, let alone in a sector with the physical demands of agriculture. Playing into workforce challenges, Quarles says, are issues related to H-2A and H-2B — the visa programs that allow farmers to hire non-U.S. workers for temporary agricultural and non-agricultural labor. “Since the 1980s, agriculture has been reliant upon the H-2A, and in a limited way, the H-2B visa program for guest workers,” Quarles said. “We believe that those programs have become too overly complicated. And we also believe that they’ve caused an administrative burden on farmers to the point where the system’s broken.” Nigh, the economist for the Farm Bureau, agreed that farmers see H-2A as burdensome, and that it’s “incredibly expensive for farmers to utilize.” The fact that American farmers are using the program anyway, she says, speaks to the desperate need for labor.

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Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg says her state is focusing on access to capital for farmers and ranchers in their first 10 years of operating. During the last session, the legislature created a $30 million revolving fund — available to farmers and ranchers as well as small and mid-size processors — to offer unconventional loans.

WORKFORCE CHALLENGES

“Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to source or find workers domestically,” she said. “So, despite the challenges of the H-2A program, they’ve been forced to utilize that program because they can’t find a workforce here in the U.S.” Quarles believes the H-2A program should be overhauled — maybe even moved under the U.S. Department of Agriculture rather than the Department of Labor. Whatever the solution, he says some kind of H-2A reform to address national security concerns while allowing seasonal labor is a top concern for every state.

“In ag, we want to find solutions. We are an industry that is very receptive towards new technologies, new methods, and every farmer is more or less an experimenting scientist on their own farm. Everyone does things a little bit differently, and I think when it comes to labor, we’re willing to do something new if it means solving a problem.” — Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles

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Increasingly, new technology and automation seek to address some of the challenges caused by workforce shortages. For example, Kellie Adesina, director of government affairs at Bayer Crop Science, a CSG Associate, says Bayer provides digital tools to help farmers analyze data to maximize yields per acre. Adesina says these solutions also highlight infrastructure and knowledge gaps that will need to be filled.

“With that data and technology comes the need for rural broadband, so access to high-speed internet is really important,” Adesina said. “When you think about data and technology, you’re going to need new skills. So, you’re going to need people in the tech sector who have that technical background — engineers — and you always are going to need agronomists and scientists as well. Those are some of the needs that we see that are going to come on the horizon.” In addition to increasing productivity, new technology will continue to reshape agricultural processes. Quarles says on his own family farm, labor shortages meant that the tobacco crop was not completely harvested last season. “My dad is 71, and this is the first time in his entire life we were not able to finish the crop out,” he said. “There is a need for optimization in the industry, but the problem is that when you’re working outside and every field is different, it’s a very different environment compared to a controlled manufacturing plant.” Despite the challenges, Quarles expects to see an “automation revolution” during his lifetime. “It’s not only going to help alleviate labor, but it’s also going to increase our efficiency and productivity,” he said. “Instead of broadcasting fertilizer across the field, we’re going see technology — that is already in its beta phase — that specifically gives each plant in that field the exact amount of nutrition it needs for optimal growth.” In Colorado, Greenberg says her state is working to engage youth in agriculture at an early age, including areas that will become increasingly important to the industry. A Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program brings middle and high school students to learn from agriculture lab scientists; a paid apprenticeship program gives kids real experience on farms; a department internship introduces young people to the policy and government side of agriculture.

“It’s really kind of taking the lid off of ‘What does it mean to be involved in agriculture?’ and, hopefully, communicating that there’s a place for young people in the next generation, no matter your starting point,” she said. Kathryn Unger, vice president for North American Government Relations at Cargill, a CSG Associate, says COVID-19 exposed and increased workforce challenges that already existed. Cargill, which employs 150,000 people in 70 countries, touches a dizzying array of industries, from meat processing to grains to industrial inputs. Without the courage and determination of workers, Unger says, the supply chain would have fallen apart. While saluting workers, however, she stresses the importance of addressing workforce issues before the next crisis. “Let's address what we can today, so that we can meet any future disruption being as strong as we possibly can,” she said. Unger’s call to state leaders is to pursue consensus and bipartisan solutions, and she said she appreciates the leadership of CSG as a source of trusted, nonpartisan expertise. “It's so important to have nonpartisan organizations that are sharing information so that we all can start at the same point,” she said. “We'll make our own decisions, but we ought to be able to start at the same point with the same information, and being nonpartisan or bipartisan is incredibly important to Cargill. There's no way we would have lasted 157 years without that. During all that time, under whatever administration, we've connected our farmers with markets, our customers with ingredients and animals and people with whatever food they eat – that's who we are.”

CLIMATE CHANGE

adapt to also help mitigate the impacts of climate change. We believe very firmly that ag is a partner in this, and we are part of the solution.” Colorado also launched a pilot program this year with more than 100 producers to implement voluntary soil health practices and monitor the results. The state is partnering with supply chain organizations to incentivize program participants. “We want to be a place where our market partners see the value in our stewardship practices here in Colorado, and actually get premiums back to the producer,” Greenberg said. Adesina, the director of government affairs for Bayer Crop Science, says climate plays an increasingly important role across the industry. Bayer, for example, is deploying digital tools to help farmers identify climatesmart practices and has created a carbon program to incentivize and/or reward farmers for using those practices. “There’s a mix of voluntary-based incentive programs that the private sector is really focusing on,” she said. “We don’t know where Congress will end up. We don’t know if there will be legislation in this regard. So, it’s something that everyone is starting to give a lot of attention to, because of the shifts in climate, it’s going to impact our ability to feed people.” At Cargill, Unger says, increasing global population and demand for food drives efforts to produce more food with more sustainable methods. She emphasizes voluntary programs and the importance of collaborating with farmers to develop new practices and techniques. “We have all of this happening at once, and so the agricultural industry has to evolve with it,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important to bring farmers along. We think ag is how we do this.” Shifting market preferences are also driving alternative products. Cargill is responding to increased demand through plant-based protein powders and meat alternatives, aquaculture and more. “We’ve got to meet people where they are and those changing consumer preferences have certainly impacted us,” Unger said.

“Our seasons are changing our spring runoff,” Greenberg said. “Our snowpack is changing, and we have to change with it. So that necessity of adaptation is very much front and center for all of us, but for agriculture in particular.”

As policymakers and agriculture industry leaders respond to land and capital access, workforce shortages and climate change, some features of farming will undoubtedly change. But in some respects, the new agriculture economy will look very much like the old one — demanding, worthwhile, essential work that nourishes people and communities.

Greenberg says farmers are also beginning to think about agriculture not just in terms of yields, but in terms of climate mitigation and resilience. “We created an Agriculture Drought and Climate Resilience Office last year,” she said. “It’s really going to help us set the stage for what are the most strategic investments to build that resilience in agriculture as we

“I would encourage Americans to discover local agriculture, to buy American and to simply say ‘thank you’ to our farmers,” Quarles said. “That simple ‘thank you’ at a farmers market — or at a crossroad, when you get stuck behind a tractor going slow — goes a long way.”

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Even if workforce shortages were solved today, farmers face new challenges as climate change accelerates drought, wildfires and other increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. An increasing global population demands more food, and diminishing resources require more responsible care.

What’s in a Name Federal board considers proposals for more inclusive place names by Bill Swinford Content warning: This article contains examples of inappropriate racial and racist slurs used in federally recognized place names. Some 25 miles northeast of CSG National Headquarters, the town of Cynthiana lies quietly among the rolling hills of central Kentucky. Established in 1793, legend has it the small town is affixed to land owned by Robert Harrison, whose daughters were Cynthia and Anna. The majority of city and place names across the United States share similarly innocuous heritages. However, even in 2022, the country remains littered with monikers with a more sinister foundation or that have not worn well with the passage of time. These names come under increasing scrutiny as Americans’ understanding of the darker passages of our shared racial history — and the impact of words — continues to evolve.

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HOW TO CHANGE A GEOGRAPHIC NAME

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names oversees the process of naming and renaming towns, bodies of water, roadways and other official place names. In the federal year that ended in October 2021, this board reviewed 430 name-change proposals from across the country. Information on the federal process for proposing original names or name changes is available at usgs.gov/us-board-on-geographic-names/ how-do-i. Over the last few decades and more so in recent years, the geographic names board has recognized in its documents and on its website that names and their meanings evolve and words that appeared on maps a century or even a few decades ago may no longer be acceptable. Those petitioning to rename a place are asked to indicate on the application why the existing name is considered offensive. “Once named, a geographic feature can never be ‘unnamed,’ only changed to another name,” the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website states. “Geographic names are often well-established on maps, documents, signs and on websites, and to remove them without a compelling reason may lead to confusion.”

The board asks individuals or organizations who wish to propose a change to a name, including those considered derogatory or offensive, to make every effort to research the history of the existing name, and wherever possible, provide a replacement that retains its history or geography. If it can be determined that the name referred to an early settler, or owner or inhabitant of the property, or to an event or incident that happened at that location, the name should reflect that history; such names are preferred over ones that have no significance to the local community, and as such are more likely to be accepted and used. As with new name proposals the most important policy is local use and acceptance. For example, when changes are considered to names associated with Native Americans, the Board on Geographic Names often solicits feedback from all 574 federally recognized tribes. The geographic name board welcomes proposals from any entity but gives considerable deference to state policymakers during review. The board asks state officials to view the reexamination of place names as an effort toward greater inclusion of all constituents, particularly those from traditionally marginalized populations. Every time children learn about their local history, every time a local business advertises, every time people post their location on social media, it is a reminder of what a local community was and is. The board values consensus, not only on the need to change a name but also on what name will replace it. In 2018, the Georgia state Senate unanimously voted to rename Runaway Negro Creek on the Georgia coast to “Freedom Creek.” “Intentional or not, the current name of such creek serves to cast, edify, and perpetuate a posture of criminality upon the men and women who pursued the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” stated Senate Resolution 685. State Sen. Lester Jackson, who sponsored the resolution, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “It’s not changing history, it’s redefining it.” The new creek name moved the focus from slaveholders who saw property running away to a human being running toward freedom, Jackson said.

A RENEWED URGENCY FOR CHANGE A lack of agreement upon the need for change or the alternative name can slow the process considerably. State leaders can make board review more efficient by working toward processes that yield consensus. The board has previously been criticized for being slow and cumbersome in responding to requests for name changes. The current process includes several layers of review, and it can take years for the naming board to take final action (with no guarantee that petitions for change will ever be accepted). Momentum for faster action on name changes continues to build at the federal level. In summer 2021, more than two dozen members of Congress introduced the Reconciliation in Place Names Act, which would focus federal attention on some of the 1,441 places in the U.S. identified in 2015 as having offensive names. The act would create an advisory board to the Board of Geographic Names and an expedited process for review and implementation of requested name changes. The advisory board would actively seek the review of potentially offensive names (currently the Board on Geographic Names is merely reactive, awaiting proposals from government bodies and private organizations and individuals).

In the previous Congress (2019-20), the act was co-sponsored by thenRep. Deb Haaland, who now serves as U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Haaland also has sought to accelerate the nation’s reconsideration of names. In November 2021, Haaland issued a Secretarial Order that, among other things, “…formally identifies the term ‘squaw’ as derogatory and creates a federal task force to find replacement names for geographic features on federal lands bearing the term. The term has historically been used as an offensive ethnic, racial, and sexist slur, partic-

While federal legislation is stalled in committee and federal officials take individual actions, there are success stories emanating from the states that can offer a road map for policymakers seeking changes in their districts and states. With a renewed sense of urgency, states are examining their processes for proposing changes. For example: California announced in 2020 “a series of actions to identify and redress discriminatory names of features attached to State Parks and transportation systems.” Colorado recently created a state board to evaluate proposals for recommendation to the federal Board on Geographic Names. The Colorado board has made derogatory names a priority for action. For example, areas such as Negro Mesa, Chinaman Gulch and Redskin Mountain are under review. The Georgia Senate successfully petitioned – through a Senate Resolution – that the Board on Geographic Names change the name of “Runaway Negro Creek” to “Freedom Creek”. Texas policymakers, led by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, successfully navigated the federal process so that 16 sites in Texas no longer bear the name “Negro”. It was a long time coming. When Ellis was in the state legislature, he introduced a bill to do just that — in 1991. In Vermont, state leaders and private citizens agree that the name “Negro Brook” needs to be replaced; but they remain stalled over what alternative to propose to the federal Board.

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“Derogatory terms (...) should not be included in the names of geographical places across the landscape of our nation,” stated Rep. Al Green, who co-sponsored the legislation. “These terms are harmful relics from the era of invidious yet lawful discrimination that must be removed from public property.”

ularly for Indigenous women. There are currently more than 650 federal land units that contain the term, according to a database maintained by the Board on Geographic Names.”

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CSG East Members Awarded FTA Funds

CSG EAST Programming and Convenings 61st Eastern Regional Conference Aug. 14-17 | Manchester, New Hampshire Each year, CSG East convenes state officials for a threeday conference, the largest gathering of state officials in the East. All of CSG East’s policy committees meet to discuss critical issues affecting the region in the areas of agriculture and rural affairs, Canada-U.S. relations, education and workforce development, energy and environment, fiscal affairs, military and veterans’ affairs, territorial relations and transportation. CSG East’s Council on Communities of Color and Eastern Trade Council also meet at this conference. Learn more at csg-erc.org/annual-meetings.

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Eastern Leadership Academy (ELA) Aug. 21-25 | Philadelphia Application deadline: May 15

Thirty state and provincial officials from the 19 CSG Eastern Region member jurisdictions gather in Philadelphia each year for the Robert J. Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy. This select group of state officials from all three branches of government receives training to enhance their leadership and communication skills from a variety of experts in media, education and government. If you strive to be an effective leader, an informed decision-maker and an effective communicator, ELA is the program for you. Held in partnership with the Fels Institute of Government, ELA is a unique opportunity to learn with the best and brightest from across the region. Learn more at csg-erc.org/leadership-training.

For more on CSG East, visit csg-erc.org. 212.482.2320 • info@csg-erc.org

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration awarded $409.3 million to update, electrify and improve the safety of America’s buses. The FTA says funding requests totaled more than $2.5 billon, or five times the funding available. Grants were given to 70 projects among 39 states and are aimed at making bus systems and routes more reliable. Of those states, eight CSG East members received awards between $9.8 and $12.3 million. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, an additional $5.1 billion in competitive grant-funding is authorized over the next five years. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will receive funding to replace old facilities, switch from diesel to clean buses and improve the safety of public transportation.

Maryland Gov. Hogan Removes Education Requirements for Thousands of State Jobs Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced the removal of a four-year college degree requirement from thousands of state jobs, according to a press release from the governor’s office. People who lack a bachelor’s degree but who have relevant experience, special training or are already active in the workforce can now be considered for state jobs in IT, customer service and more. This workforce development initiative was spearheaded by the Maryland Department of Labor and the Maryland Department of Budget and Management. The state plans to work with partners to highlight these roles to job seekers who are “Skilled Through Alternative Routes” or STARs. Of the 2.9 million workers in Maryland today, more than 1.3 million, or 47%, are considered STARs.

Delaware to Receive $56 Million for Broadband Delaware Gov. John Carney and State Chief Information Officer Jason Clarke announced $56 million of Broadband Infrastructure Grants for the state. Current service providers Comcast, Verizon and Mediacom were selected as the recipients of this award. The three companies will improve their existing broadband infrastructure and expand coverage areas to better serve homes and businesses across the state. Funding for this project comes from

the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The grants cover about 75% of the capital construction costs, with providers contributing a minimum 25% match. Construction for this project is set to begin soon.

Eastern States Lift COVID-19 Restrictions One by one, states have announced revised COVID-19 restrictions, including relaxed measures on masks and social distancing. These revisions come after a steady decrease in COVID transmission across the nation. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy was one of the first to declare that masks were no longer mandatory for students, teachers or visitors in schools. Several states followed this announcement with similar protocols. New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine and Massachusetts have all lifted mask requirements in schools. As the Omicron variant fades, states are looking to implement exit strategies for their residents and visitors. Most cities, counties, and schools have been determining whether precautions are necessary based on local data since the pandemic began.

Maine to Provide Financial Relief for Renters For the past year, U.S. rents have risen faster than ever before. The average monthly rent has risen significantly across the nation, leaving states to come up with ways to mitigate this challenge. Maine Gov. Janet T. Mills proposed a change to her supplemental budget to provide financial relief to residents in the wake of inflation. The package includes an increase in the state’s relief checks to $850, dedicates $22 million in one-time general funds to create an Emergency Housing Relief Fund and increases the Budget Stabilization Fund to more than $500 million. This proposal comes after the Revenue Forecasting Committee upgraded the state’s general fund revenue forecast by $411.7 million, which dedicates most surplus funds to one-time initiatives instead of continuous spending.

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New Ohio Programs Address Minority-owned Businesses Two new loan programs in Ohio address needs of minority and women-owned businesses. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the new Women Business Enterprise Loan Program and Ohio Micro-Enterprise Loan Program in the 2022-2023 operating budget. The Women Business Enterprise loans start at $45,000 and go up to a maximum of $500,000. In order to qualify, businesses must be 51% owned or controlled by women or be certified as women-owned business enterprises. The Ohio Micro-Enterprise loans have a 0% interest with a minimum loan of $10,000 up to a maximum of $45,000. Both loan programs will be administered by the Ohio Department of Development through the Minority Business Development Division.

States Implement Monarch Protections In the past few years, state organizations, local governments and energy companies have implemented monarch butterfly conservation measures spanning 23 states. Natural resource departments in Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin have all sanctioned monarch protection plans in the past decade. In addition, dozens of organizations have agreed to preserve around 815,000 acres of monarch habitat. This agreement comes from the 2020 agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Energy Resources Center at the University of Illinois, Chicago, which encourages partners to provide and preserve habitation for monarchs. The Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances works with public and private landowners who voluntarily assist with conservation efforts like pest and vegetation management.

Indiana’s investment in early education is showing lasting effects on scholastic readiness. On My Way Pre-K was created by the Indiana General Assembly in 2014 to prioritize early-learning programs for low-income children. Since then, this pilot program has seen a definite improvement in kindergarten readiness and stronger math and literary skills throughout the years. The program matches qualifying candidates with state grants to send a

Illinois Increases Spending on Violence Prevention Illinois has more than doubled spending on violence prevention measures over the past three years. Up to $517 million was budgeted in the 2022 fiscal year, rising to $832 million in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal for the coming fiscal year. Grants are provided through the Reimagine Public Safety Act, which aims to address firearm violence through targeted programming and integrated behavioral health services. Under this plan the state would provide more funding for evidence-based programs like Medicaid-funded trauma recovery services for adults, outreach services for young people effected by violence and put $20 million toward programming to help local prosecutors protect victims of gang violence. This increase in funds would also aid the state in hiring more police officers and forensic scientists.

Minnesota Establishes New Bodies to Fight Opioid Epidemic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed Executive Order 22-07, which launches a new interagency subcabinet and advisory council to combat the opioid epidemic in the state. A new Addiction and Recovery Director will be appointed to implement addiction and recovery work and serve as the administration’s point person to address opioids and substance use. In conjunction with this role, a new Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction Subcabinet will be put in place to develop recommendations, identify areas of weakness and opportunity and assist the government with accessing treatment options and gathering input from Minnesotans with lived and direct experiences to establish solutions.

CSG MIDWEST Programming and Convenings 76th Midwestern Legislative Conference July 10-13 | Wichita, Kansas Each year, CSG Midwest convenes the largest gathering of Midwest state and provincial legislators. The event is designed by and for the region’s legislators and includes a mix of expert-and legislator-led policy sessions, insightful speakers and special events for attendees and their guests. Generations of legislators have taken part in the Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting where they are able to explore public policy and connect with fellow legislators in a nonpartisan, welcoming environment. Learn more at csgmidwest.org/annual-meetings/mlc. The Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) Aug. 27-31 | Madison, Wisconsin Application deadline: April 20 CSG Midwest BILLD is the only leadership training program designed exclusively for Midwestern legislators. BILLD helps newer legislators develop the skills necessary to become effective leaders, informed decision-makers and astute policy analysts. The Bowhay Institute is designed for Midwestern legislators in their first four years of legislative service. Learn more at csgmidwest.org/billd.

For more on CSG Midwest, visit csgmidwest.org. 630.925.1922 • csgm@csg.org

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Indiana’s Education Investments Show Results

4-year-old to an eligible early-education program, which includes both public and private institutions, daycares and licensed family homes. Earlier this year, results from Purdue University researchers concluded that students who participated in the On My Way Pre-K program had higher language, literacy and school readiness than peers with similar income levels.

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Florida Approves Agritourism Tax Incentives

CSG SOUTH Programming and Convenings 76th Southern Legislative Conference July 9-13 | Oklahoma City Each year, CSG South convenes the largest gathering of Southern state and provincial legislators at the Southern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting. The event is designed by and for the region’s legislators and includes a mix of expert- and legislator-led policy sessions, insightful speakers and special events for attendees and their guests. Generations of legislators have taken part in this annual meeting where they are able to explore public policy and connect with fellow legislators in a nonpartisan, welcoming environment. Learn more at csgsouth.org/event.

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Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) Oct. 15-19 | Little Rock, Arkansas Application deadline: July 30

CALS embodies the CSG South mission of championing excellence in state government and providing nonpartisan forums for state officials who might rarely cross paths to share ideas. The program brings together Southern state officials from three branches of government in a strictly nonpartisan environment. The class size is capped at 25 maximum state officials — representing all three branches of government — to foster connections among classmates. Learn more at csgsouth.org/CALS.

For more on CSG South, visit csgsouth.org. 404.633.1866

The Florida Legislature recently approved Senate Bill 1186, which updates the state’s law governing how agricultural lands are taxed. Currently, agricultural lands in the state used for a “bona fide” purpose are taxed at a lower rate to incentivize farmers to keep agricultural land rather than selling the land for a different use, such as retail or residential housing. Senate Bill 1186 allows more agritourism operations to qualify for the lower tax rate by closing certain loopholes. The bill also prohibits a property appraiser from denying agricultural status due to construction or maintenance of a non-dwelling structure for agritourism activity. Instead, that structure would be assessed at the “just” value separately and added to the agricultural land’s lower “assessed” value to create a hybrid tax platform.

Electric Vehicles Driving Growth in the South The South saw more electric vehicles (EVs) purchased in 2021 than the two previous years combined. According to recent reports, only 14% of the nation’s charging stations — approximately 15,000 chargers — are in the South, an increase of 57% over the past year. Federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is expected to help boost those numbers. Southern states are slated to receive approximately $100 million in funding for charging infrastructure in 2022. Louisiana is set to receive $75 million in federal funding over the next five years to install a network of electric vehicle charging stations along the state’s highways.

Kentucky Bourbon Drives Economic Growth Kentucky produces 95% of the world’s bourbon. The industry has a tremendous economic impact on the state’s economy from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, craft tour distilleries and bourbon bars. The bourbon industry in Kentucky is valued at approximately $9 billion and generates 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll of $1.23 billion. The tax impact on the state is roughly $286 million. Meanwhile, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail had 1.5

million visits in 2021. To increase tourism and promote a strong post-pandemic recovery, the Kentucky legislature passed House Bill 500, which authorized private bourbon barrel selection and allowed distilleries to open one satellite tasting room each. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill on March 23.

Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas Announce Hydrogen Partnership Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas have entered into a partnership to establish a regional hub for developing, producing, and using clean hydrogen as fuel and manufacturing feedstock. The three states have been focused on hydrogen as an additional resource in their approach to a diversified and clean energy portfolio. In late 2021, a hydrogen-from-natural-gas project with carbon capture and sequestration was announced in Louisiana, and a large electrolytic production hub was announced in Oklahoma.

West Virginia Launches Job Jumpstart Program Announced by Gov. Jim Justice in January, the Job Jumpstart Program is designed to encourage West Virginians to return to the workforce by offering a one-time payment of $1,500 to individuals receiving who currently receive unemployment benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and who obtain employment. To be eligible, applicants must maintain employment for eight consecutive weeks and average a minimum of 32 hours per week.

AK / AZ / CA / CO / HI / ID / MT / NM / NV / OR / UT / WA / WY / AB / AS / BC / CNMI / GU

Hawaii Seeks to Ban “Forever Chemicals” Legislation sponsored by Hawaii Rep. Nicole Lowen would ban the sale of certain items that contain so-called “forever chemicals” — substances that don’t break down, and instead accumulate in fish and other wildlife. House Bill 1644 would ban perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, from a number of uses that “already have established alternatives,” according to the nonprofit newsroom Civil Beat. PFAS are commonly used to create products that “resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water,” according to the CDC. HB 1664 would specifically target “wraps and liners, food boats and pizza boxes,” according to Civil Beats, and “the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams would also be prohibited for testing and training purposes.”

Washington Budget Funds Psilocybin Research The 2022-23 Washington state budget includes $200,000 to study psilocybin, the controlled substance found in “magic mushrooms,” for therapeutic applications. The budget, which was passed by the legislature on March 10 and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee with partial vetoes on March 31, creates a working group to study the use of psilocybin and to issue a report. The working group includes representatives from the Department of Health, the Liquor and Cannabis Board and the Department of Agriculture, military veterans, people with disabilities, medical professionals and others. The Department of Health, Liquor and Cannabis Board and Department of Agriculture are tasked with providing subject matter expertise, and task force meetings will be open to the public.

In 2021, wildfires burned approximately 525,000 acres of land across Arizona, and Gov. Doug Ducey’s office says the state is already seeing increased wildfire activity in 2022. During a news conference that offered a fire outlook for the year, Ducey said state action and citizens’ vigilance will both play an important role in addressing risk. “Temperatures are creeping back up – and that means Arizona faces a heightened risk of wildfires,” Ducey said. “At the state level, we’re going to do all we can to protect Arizonans and try to

Idaho Unveils “One-stop Shop” for Virtual Public Meetings Idaho Gov. Brad Little and State Controller Brandon Woolf recently announced the new Townhall.Idaho.Gov website, an online one-stop-shop for all public meeting information for state executive branch agencies, according to a press release. “Enhancing Idahoans’ confidence in their state government has been a key priority of mine since day one, and Townhall. Idaho.Gov makes it easier for the public to understand and engage with their government,” Little said in a press release. The site currently offers information related to state government agency and commission meetings, with the goal of eventually including local public meetings as well. The legislature is also considering Little’s proposal for $2 million in new funding to enable agencies to stream public meetings online through the Townhall website.

California Constitutional Amendment Would Address Affordable Housing California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks introduced Assembly Constitutional Amendment 14, currently in committee, which would annually set aside 5% of state general fund dollars to address homelessness and housing insecurity over the next decade, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Voters are saying, ‘I want my kids to be able to buy a house and raise my grandkids in the community in which I raised my children.’ And they can’t,” Wicks told the Times. “We hear that every time we come to the district, every time we’re home.” According to Ballotpedia, an amendment to the California Constitution would require a two-thirds vote in the Assembly and the Senate, followed by a public vote.

CSG WEST Programming and Convenings 75th CSG West Annual Meeting July 19-22 | Boise, Idaho The annual meeting of CSG West is the largest gathering of Western legislators, convening over 500 participants each year. The size and scope of this event creates an intimate and unique environment for attendees to: • Engage and exchange ideas through policy committee discussions on issues such as workforce development, fiscal affairs and social justice. • Learn from topic experts by participating in educational forums and leadership skills training opportunities. • Connect and build lasting relationships with regional, national and international colleagues. Learn more at csgwest.org/events. Western Legislative Academy (WLA) Dec. 13-16 | Colorado Springs, Colorado Application deadline: April 28 CSG West provides premier capacity building opportunities for Western legislators within their first four years of cumulative service through the Western Legislative Academy. The WLA is an intensive three-and-a-half-day professional development program designed to assist legislators in becoming more effective leaders and to strengthen legislative institutions. The WLA focuses on communica¬tions, time management, governing, ethics and consensus building. A highlight of the program is a half day spent at the U.S. Air Force Academy working on personnel assessments and team building. Learn more at csgovts.info/wla. For more on CSG West, visit csgwest.org. 916.553.4423 • csgw@csg.org

ISSUE 2 2022 | CSG CAPITOL IDEAS

Arizona Gov. Ducey Urges Fire-safe Practices in 2022

mitigate any lasting damage to our communities. My heart goes out to all those whose lives have changed because of wildfires — and I want to thank the brave men and women who risk their lives to fight these fires and protect Arizona’s communities.”

UNIQUE JOBS in

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps tabs on how concentrated occupations are in a given area compared to the nation as a whole. Called a LOCATION QUOTIENT , this metric is one way to look at the most unique occupations in each state. In Maryland, for example, geographers have a location quotient of 11.0. This means the state employs geographers at 11 times the national rate. Enjoy a few of our favorite examples from the states below!

IN THE STATES

New York

Alaska

Kansas

17.9 | ZOOLOGISTS AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS

21.8 | AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE, SURFACES, RIGGING AND SYSTEMS ASSEMBLERS

Maryland

11.0 | GEOGRAPHERS

New Mexico Wisconsin 18.5 | PHYSICISTS

8.2 | ANIMAL BREEDERS

Texas 6.8 | PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

Delaware

Oregon 24.9 | LOGGING WORKERS

11.7 | MEAT, POULTRY AND FISH CUTTERS AND TRIMMERS

Hawaii

14.1 | PASSENGER ATTENDANTS

Montana

17.6 | GAMBLING AND SPORTS BOOK WRITERS AND RUNNERS

California

Kentucky

6.9 | FARM LABOR CONTRACTORS

15.1 | ROOF BOLTERS, MINING

Iowa

9.2 | AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS

New Hampshire 6.0 | COMMERCIAL DIVERS

Oklahoma

Vermont

5.9 | FASHION DESIGNERS

Louisiana 17.9 | SAILORS AND MARINE OILERS

15.0 | ROTARY DRILL OPERATORS ( OIL AND GAS )

7.0 | BICYCLE REPAIRERS

Colorado 5.7 | ATMOSPHERIC AND SPACE SCIENTISTS

Washington, D.C. 106.7 | POLITICAL SCIENTISTS

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Occupations with a high concentration in each state in May 2019: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/occupations-with-a-high-concentration-in-each-state-in-may-2019.htm (visited March 29, 2022).

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C S G. O R G

Our next issue will be digital! Enjoy the upcoming Issue 3 of CSG Capitol Ideas magazine in a digitalonly format. Discover enhanced online content including special-edition content recognizing the 20th anniversary of the CSG Justice Center.