Upcoming Events
See You in Boise!
We are looking forward to seeing you at the CSG West 75th Annual Meeting, July 19-22, in Boise, Idaho. The Annual Meeting will bring together state legislators, legislative staff, and partners from across the West to learn from dynamic speakers, discuss and share insights on policy issues affecting the region, and network with colleagues.

The CSG West staff, along with the Idaho Host Committee, has worked diligently to put together a substantive event, featuring legislative learning labs, policy committees, and small-group training sessions on influence and executive presence. For attendees interested in bringing family and friends, we invite you to take advantage of our special guest programs as well!

Please see the quick links below for your reference. We're excited to welcome you in Boise!
SLLC to Host Supreme Court Review Webinar
This year’s U.S. Supreme Court term will long be remembered, with consequential decisions on a wide range of cases. Our partners at the State and Local Legal Center (SLLC) will take a deeper dive into these rulings during their annual Supreme Court Review Webinar on July 14 at 2:00 pm ET.
 
Join Dan Bromberg, who wrote the SLLC amicus brief in Shurtleff v. Boston; Roman Martinez, who argued Vega v. Tekoh; and Luke McCloud, who argued Concepcion v. United States, in a discussion with Lisa Soronen of the SLLC about the most interesting and important cases for state and local governments decided this term. This webinar is free to attend.
Water & Drought
U.S. Department of the Interior Announces $25.5 Million in Funding to Address Severe Drought in the West
As extreme drought continues to afflict the West, a new study reveals that current conditions along the Colorado River Basin are the most severe in nearly 2,000 years. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee recently held a hearing to identify solutions to the drought’s impact in western states.

In response to these concerns, the U.S. Department of the Interior has announced $25.5 million in funding for water efficiency and drought resiliency projects in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The funding is part of the WaterSMART grants allocated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Fourteen projects will be awarded funds, with an aim to save more than 12 billion gallons of water annually.

To learn more about the water efficiency objectives, along with a full list of the fourteen selected projects, click below.
In Acknowledgement
CSG’s Justice Center Celebrates 20 Years
We are delighted to honor the CSG Justice Center in celebrating its 20th anniversary, which took place in June. The Justice Center has blossomed into an organization of more than 100 researchers, practitioners, and policy experts who believe deeply in their mission to advance public safety, strengthen communities, and promote second chances.

Since 2002, the Justice Center has used data and research-driven practices to assist policymakers and practitioners improve diversion systems, expand reentry supports, and foster meaningful justice reforms. They remain dedicated to working with leaders across ideological lines, culminating in such projects as the Stepping Up initiative and Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), and extensive work focused on juvenile justice systems and mental health courts.

In the West, recent Justice Center efforts includes community supervision and behavioral health investments in Wyoming and projects impacting Tribal Nations in Oregon and Montana. Western leaders have helped shape the work of the CSG Justice Center with Advisory Board members including:

  • Senator John Lovick, State Senate, State of Washington
  • Joe O'Leary, Director, Oregon Youth Authority
  • Ann Miller, Managing Attorney, Defender's Office of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana

Congratulations to the CSG Justice Center on 20 years of exceptional work! To read more about their 20th anniversary and upcoming projects, click below. 
CSG West is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving western state legislatures. All active legislators are considered members of our organization and included in organizational correspondence regarding news and events. While we hope you find this information of use, we also understand the need for a tidy inbox. If you do not wish to receive email updates from us, please unsubscribe below to be removed from our email list.