Toll Fellows

Transportation 2012: A Closer Look

Two years ago the term "shovel ready project" was heard all over the place but as money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dwindles and uncertainty over whether additional federal authorization is coming it is no longer a common conversation piece. Looking ahead to 2012, CSG transportation analyst Sean Slone has attempted to identify some of the issues states will face.  Not surprisingly, funding drives several of the issues from determining what, if any, role federal dollars will play moving forward to how states can creatively fund needed transportation work at a time when Medicaid deficits and education cuts have the public less keen on spending money on asphalt. Check out the Top 5 issues in transportation to get a glimpse into what some states are doing to address transportation needs in the face of continuing budget woes.

Healthcare 2012: A Closer Look

23.6% - Numbers are a funny thing.  When you're talking about a tax rate, 23.6 percent seems a lot smaller than when you realize that same number is the amount of state budgets taken up by Medicaid expenses in 2011.  Medicaid is the single biggest budget item for states and it is eating away at funding that was once going to seemingly "safe" areas like education. The budget tight rope has states looking for ways to bring down Medicaid costs, from reducing eligibility to expanding managed care. At the same time, states are watching the Supreme Court's consideration of challenges to the Affordable Care Act as they gear up to implement associated new policies.  Health care has been a huge topic in statehouses for several years and promises to remain so in 2012.  To equip state policymakers with the information they need, CSG has identified the Top 5 issues in the area - check it out!

Fiscal and Economic Issues 2012: A Closer Look

Since 2009, state budget shortfalls have been staggering and, even as the economy shows signs of turning around, states project shortfalls of more than $100 billion in 2012!  Facing ongoing fiscal constraints, states will continue to focus on jobs and the million-dollar question of how to create them.  In addition, as funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act runs out and in the face of continuing demands by big ticket items like education and Medicaid, federal funding questions will continue to leave states scrambling to increase revenues. As a result, 2012 may end up being the year of tax reform.  CSG seeks to help you explore all of these fiscal issues and questions with it's Top 5 issues of 2012 - check it out!

Education 2012: A Closer Look

Just a few weeks ago, Indiana and Minnesota became the first states to file for waivers from No Child Left Behind.  How many states will follow this lead in 2012?

Whether it's seeking No Child Left Behind waivers, adopting Common Core State Standards, implementing new performance pay incentives for teachers or tackling tenure reform, a number of education policy discussions will dominate state houses across the country.  CSG education policy lead Pam Goins explored the Top 5 issues she sees facing states in the area of education this year.

Energy and Environment 2012: A Closer Look

$20 billion - That's the average annual support states have relied on for more than 30 years that will be lost as a result of Congress allowing ethanol production tax credits to expire.  In a federal election year where partisan gridlock may slow or completely stop Congressional action on a number of important issues, CSG lead energy and environmental policy analyst Brydon Ross has identified the Top 5 issues facing states - including the loss of federal energy incentives like the ethanol tax.  Other areas CSG monitor for states this year include growing efforts by states to require fracking disclosures, the siting and construction of energy pipelines to help meet consumer demand, and clean air regulations.

2011 Toll Applications Available

As the dust settles on another eventful election season, everyone is looking for something to talk about and we have a great topic for water cooler chats!  The 2011 Toll Fellows Program!  Applications are available online (watch your mailboxes for the annual brochure mailing).  So start looking around and talking the program up to your colleagues.  

The 2011 program will be held Sept. 9-14 in Lexington.  Applications are due February 25! Please note that applications are due earlier this  year than normal due to the early date of our spring conference.

I look forward to receiving your recommendations!  I'd like to challenge every Toll alumni still in service to recommend at least one applicant this year! Alumni recommendations are a key part of our recruitment efforts - so thank you in advance for all your hard work and help!

Words of Wisdom

Growing up, whenever I had a problem or complained about something by Dad would look at me and say "So what are you going to do about it? You have to be the change you want to see."

We all have similar pearls of wisdom that still resonate in our minds and hearts today.  CSG wants your advice to share with the readers of Capitol Ideas. We'd like to know who's inspired you as you've worked to serve your state. We will share some of the best advice you give us with your colleagues across the country in the November/December issue. Who knows? That bit of advice from your mom, favorite teacher or mentor just might inspire someone else and become the best advice they ever received.

Please, take a second and complete this very short survey - share your advice with us now!

CSG staffer joins national debate over state revenue shortages

CSG staffer - Sujit CanagaRetna, a senior policy analyst with the SLC - was featured last night on ABC evening news.  Sujit was part of a discussion about increasing numbers of states being faced with imposing new taxes on services in order to make ends meet.

Has your state discussed new service taxes?  On what services? What are your thoughts on this solution?

Arch takes Manhattan

For the past 25 years, Arch Lustberg has been stealing the show at Toll Fellows - as well as CSG's various regional leadership programs.   He has coached class after class in how to more effectively deal with the media and has become a cornerstone of CSG's leadership development efforts. In recognition of his service to CSG and, more importantly, to a quarter-century of state government leaders, we will be honoring Arch with the first ever CSG Distinguished Service to the State Award.  The presentation will coincide with a luncheon highlighting the Toll Fellows Program on Thursday, May 20.  That afternoon we will be hosting a private reception for Arch where alumni can have a chance to thank him personally.

So pack your bags - practice  your open face - and join us in the Big Apple as we honor Arch and discuss some of the key economic challenges facing the states.  Register for the 2010 Economic Summit of the States today!

CSG magazine gets a make-over

The CSG magazine - formerly known as State News - is getting a make-over for the new year.

Capitol Ideas, the new bimonthly publication, will offer more member-driven content on topics of interest to the CSG membership.

Health care reform was an obvious choice for the hot topic in the premier issue of Capitol Ideas. As Congress debates reconciliation between the House and Senate versions of health care reform, many state officials are pondering just what it will mean for their budgets.

Capitol Ideas explores the potential impact of reform, as well as health care cost drivers, preventive strategies and efforts to contain costs in the January/February issue.

"Obviously states are struggling under the burden of financing programs they already run," Alan Weil, executive director of the nonpartisan National Academy of State Health Policy said. "The notion that they're going to be able to turn all their energy into this expansion and all these new exciting things is, I think, unrealistic."

But that just may be what states will face if and when the reform passes.

In the premier issue of Capitol Ideas, Weil lays out steps states have bee taking to address the health care needs of their constituents, and details just what states will need to implement any reform.

Even as the federal government wrestles with reform, states are tapping innovative ideas to deal with costs, care and coverage issues and Capitol Ideas includes case studies and discussion of some of those efforts.

The magazine also addresses health care cost drivers, health information technology and the focus on prevention.  It also includes 10 questions with former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, now the secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

There will also be a preview of the 2010 legislative session and a guide to leadership in the state capitols.

Look for the inaugural issue of Capitol Ideas in your mailboxes soon!