Announcements
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2023 WLA Brochure
Reminder: Western Legislative Academy Applications Close April 28
Applications are currently open for the 2023 Western Legislative Academy (WLA), the region’s premier training program for state legislators in their first four years of service, and will close April 28. Held annually in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this year’s program will take place December 12-15 at the Broadmoor Hotel.

Due to a limited class size, admission is competitive. The WLA is a scholarship program, with selected participants responsible only for their travel to and from Colorado Springs. 

Information about the program and application process can be found below, including a link to the digital application form. If you have any questions about the program or application process, please feel free to contact wla@csg.org, or reach out to Legislative Training Manager Will Keyse at wkeyse@csg.org or (916) 330-4513.
LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE
Cybersecurity for Government Leaders
When: April 27, 2023 | 10:30 AM Pacific
CSG West is grateful to again partner with the National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) for a training intended to prepare government leaders and staff to be vigilant against cyber threats. For those who were unable to attend February’s event, a second chance to participate will take place Thursday, April 27 at 10:30 am (Pacific). The training will educate on the ecosystem of cybersecurity, common types of cyberattacks, and best practices on how to protect individuals against cyber threats.

NCC launched Cyber for State Leaders, which was featured in Governing, a cyber hygiene training for state leaders in 2021. They offered trainings in all 50 states and trained 1,342 state leaders as part of the program.. This session is a step towards expanding the training and strive to be more inclusive of all government leaders and their staff. 
State Visits
On the Road with CSG West: Montana
As CSG West prepares to convene two of its annual programs in Montana this year, last month’s state visit to the Montana State Capitol was an important opportunity to connect with members and legislative leaders. 

CSG West staff Edgar Ruiz and Jonathan Lennartz enjoyed meeting with Senator Mike Cuffe, who shared a wealth of knowledge about the Columbia River Treaty and water policy issues along the U.S.-Canada border. Senator Cuffe’s insights will be valuable in shaping the programming for the Legislative Council on River Governance (LCRG), which will convene June 26-29 in Whitefish, Montana. 
One of the many highlights of the state visit included conversations with legislators about their policy priorities, as this feedback helps determine the most relevant issues to address during upcoming CSG West programs and events. As was fitting for Women’s History Month, three women from the Montana House offered particularly notable insights from their legislative work during the current legislative session. 

Representative Marta Bertoglio is a former United States Air Force officer taking special interest in veteran affairs. Representative Bertoglio shared information about her legislation, House Bill 68, signed by Governor Greg Gianforte earlier this session, which aims to help relocated military families establish residency more readily for their child’s school enrollment. 

House Minority Caucus Chair and Western Legislative Academy (WLA) alumnus, Representative Alice Buckley, described efforts to expand eligibility to a child care scholarship program for low-income families.

Representative Denise Baum, a 19-year law enforcement veteran serving the last 14 years as a detective in Billings, discussed the impact of Montana’s Crisis Intervention Teams when responding to individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. 
CSG West Staff with Senate Committee on Housing Chair, Senator Stanley Chang
On the Road with CSG West:
Hawaii
Last month, CSG West staff Edgar Ruiz and Will Keyse felt the Aloha spirit during the annual state visit to the Hawaii State Capitol in Honolulu. Many thanks to Senate Majority Leader Dru Kanuha and his wonderful staff for hosting us during the visit. We were able to connect with many members and staff to provide information on CSG West programs and services for the year, as well as learn of pertinent challenges facing the state.

A highlight of the visit included a breakfast gathering for alumni of the Western Legislative Academy (WLA) and members eligible for this year’s WLA. We thank the 45 members that came to join us and celebrate regional professional development.
Mahalo to Sen. Chris Lee for the breakfast introduction, and to Senate Majority Leader Kanuha and Representative Troy Hashimoto for the introductions on the Senate and House floors, respectively.

In addition to conversations with the leadership teams of Senate President Ronald Kouchi and Speaker Scott Saiki, CSG West staff were grateful to connect with Housing Committee Chairs Rep. Troy Hashimoto and Sen. Stanley Chang and thank them for their initiative in gathering Western housing committee chairs. 

We appreciated the insight from each of the Hawaiian members on issues facing the legislature in Oahu and the neighbor islands, and look forward to seeing many of you this summer at the 76th CSG West Annual Meeting in Los Angeles in August.
CSG West staff with Representative Della Au Belatti, who served as CSG West’s House liaison for the 2021-2022 biennium
From the CSG Justice Center
CSG Justice Center Celebrates Second Chance Month
Join the CSG Justice Center and its partners to celebrate Second Chance Month throughout April, featuring live events, videos and publications supporting the safe and successful reentry of incarcerated people. Follow along as the Justice Center highlights the efforts of state, local and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for people returning from incarceration.
THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS WEST www.csgwest.org
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