FOREWORD

The health of a state, like that of an individual, is complex, but there are key “vital signs” that indicate its health status- civic, fiscal, economic and work force, and human. As states work to improve the health, safety, and economic well-being of their residents, they must do so in recognition of the many complimentary efforts, partnerships, and related issue areas that come with it.

The 2021-22 CSG Healthy States National Task Force was formed with a focus on these “vital signs”: civic health, economic and workforce health, fiscal health, and human health. Each selected policy focus is representative of an area where continuous improvement and innovation may support and drive the overall health of the states. This is highlighted by the challenges experienced by states since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy focuses are not at the exclusion of the many other important responsibilities of state government, but rather are intended to be a connecting catalyst for a state’s overall benefit.

The 2021-22 CSG Healthy States National Task Force was comprised of 57 state leaders from across 38 states and all three branches of government. The state members of the task force were the most important assets of this endeavor. This policy work greatly benefited from the diversity of states, political perspectives, branches of government, and people represented. The respective expertise was the critical components to the formation of this final report.

The resulting product of the two-year task force is a set of 38 bipartisan recommendations for state consideration. The recommendations are a result of bipartisan collaboration of state leaders to inform and guide opportunities for state policy action. It is acknowledged that not every recommendation may be addressed quickly or easily by every state. However, each recommendation holds the potential to strengthen the health of a state through improved information sharing, collaboration and policy design.

The work of the task force would not be possible without the support of private sector and nonprofit partners who provided critical support through the duration of the task force. In addition, the many subject matter experts who provided their expertise during task force events greatly contributed to the knowledge and overall work of the task force.

As the work of the task force culminates, it is hoped that the recommendations included here result in the genesis of new state efforts to build healthier communities, fiscally resilient states, greater and more equitable economic opportunities for residents, and a well-informed and civically engaged public.