CSG Toll Fellowship Application Period is Now Open

Deadline May 1st

The Toll Fellowship, named for CSG founder Henry Wolcott Toll, is one of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government officials. Each year, the Toll Fellowship convenes 48 of the nation’s top officials from all three branches of state government to Lexington, Kentucky, for an intensive, five-day “leadership boot camp.” The program’s sessions are designed to stimulate personal assessment and growth while providing priceless networking and relationship-building opportunities.

The 2025 Toll Fellowship will be held August 8-12, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. Elected, appointed and merit officials may all apply. All materials are due by May 1, 2025.



Questions? Please contact leadershipdevelopment@csg.org.

CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award: Applications and Nominations are Now Open

Applications and nominations are now open for the 2025 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award. This annual recognition honors 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 or territory.

Applications can be accessed below, as well as information about award criteria, past award recipients, and this year’s recognition ceremony. Application materials are due by end of business on Thursday, August 1.

Click above for the 2025 Western Legislative Academy program guide.

REMINDER

Applications Open for the 2025 Western Legislative Academy

Each year, state legislators from the Western region are selected to participate in the Western Legislative Academy (WLA), a multi-day training experience focused on sharpening leadership skills in communications, consensus building, focus management, ethics and more. Sessions are interactive and hosted by national leaders and academic authorities. Additionally, class members learn from each other and develop lasting relationships with legislative peers.

The application period is open for the 2025 WLA, which will take place December 16-19 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Throughout its 2025 state visits, CSG West staff will be encouraging eligible members to consider applying to this remarkable leadership program. The deadline for completed applications is May 1st. 

RECENT EVENTS

Left to right: CSG West Director Edgar Ruiz, Senator Cindy Nava, and Consul General of Mexico in Albuquerque, Patricia Pinzón.

2025 State Visits: New Mexico

CSG West completed its second state visit of the year last week at New Mexico’s Roundhouse. We had the opportunity to engage with legislative leadership, members, and staff about our 2025 programs and resources, including this year’s Colorado River Forum that will convene this fall in Santa Fe and the 78th CSG West Annual Meeting in Jackson, Wyoming.

We also engaged with Patricia Pinzón, Consul General of Mexico in Albuquerque, regarding this year’s Border Legislative Conference in Sonora, Mexico, and spotlighted the 2025 Western Legislative Academy with eligible members. A big thank you to the New Mexico Legislature for their warm hospitality!

Edgar Ruiz with New Mexico Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart.

Left to right: Edgar Ruiz; M.A. Tania Maldonado Garduño, Directora General de Desarrollo Económico; New Mexico Speaker Javier Martínez; Jerry Pacheco, President of the Border Industrial Association; Consul Patricia Pinzón; and Gerardo Fierro, Executive Director of the New Mexico Border Authority at New Mexico’s Economic Development Department.

This week CSG West is visiting members at the state Capitol in Helena, Montana. Stay tuned for photos and updates! Up next…

CSG Justice Center Releases New 50-State Criminal Justice Data Snapshots

The CSG Justice Center has announced the release of its newly updated Criminal Justice Data Snapshots—available for all 50 states. The snapshots provide up-to-date, extensive data to better inform policymakers, including data on crime, arrests, punishments, and reentry outcomes from over 75 sources spanning the entire criminal justice landscape.

Access your state’s Criminal Justice Data Snapshot below:

WGA Shares Key Takeaways from Western Governors’ 2025 State of the State Addresses

As the 2025 legislative sessions ramp up, several Western Governors have delivered State of the State addresses to outline their policy priorities for the year ahead. The Western Governors’ Association has provided recaps and full transcripts from these addresses, which include the Western states of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Access this information at the link below.

CSG West can’t wait to see you September 16-19 at the 78th CSG West Annual Meeting in Jackson, Wyoming. Secure your seat today for the largest convening of Western state policymakers!

THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS WEST

www.csgwest.org