JANUARY 2021 | VOLUME 30, NO. 1 THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS | MIDWESTERN OFFICE

% of 3- to 17-year-olds with a mental, emotional, rise of school-based mental health developmental or behavioral problem

Increasingly, states are looking for ways to bring these services to students, and 22.8% 20.7% encourage partnerships with local providers who can deliver specialized care 22.3% 25.0% 23.1% 22.4% by Tim Anderson ([email protected]) nonacademic, wraparound program director for the Healthy 20.8% 24.6% services to students. Schools Campaign. 23.9% 25.9% n one Cleveland suburban “As much as we like to say If anything, circumstances of the 24.1% district, licensed psychologists the education system is about past year will only heighten this Iare regularly visiting schools and academics, the reality is that activity. delivering clinical levels of care to those issues of student wellness “For a variety of reasons, the Source: Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health, “2018-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health” students. are tremendously important to education sector is increasingly Hundreds of miles away, in the enabling a successful academic seeing its role as supporting the southernmost part of the state, a experience,” Ohio Superintendent mental health of students and small district is converting part of of Public Instruction Paolo staff,” says Dr. Sharon Hoover, co- its board offices (located on the % of children, ages 3-17, with a DeMaria says. director of the National Center for same campus as its schools) into a mental/behavioral condition who School Mental Health. school-based health center. There, “If children come to school “At the same time, we see receive treatment or counseling young people will get access to an hungry, or can’t see the array of services, including mental whiteboard, or have a high level of the behavioral health sector trauma or stress, they’re not going recognizing schools as an Received Did not receive health treatment. treatment or treatment or to be in a position to be educated.” important venue for service State These are two of the more than counseling for counseling for Mental health, above all other provision. We also have more 3,000 local initiatives across Ohio condition condition getting state support because of types of eligible services, is what and more examples of how to legislative action taken two years schools targeted for support structure those services and get Illinois 65.5% 34.5% ago — an unprecedented, $675 through Ohio’s new Student reimbursed for them in the school million funding commitment by Wellness and Success Fund. setting.” Indiana 49.3% 50.7% the state to help schools provide That choice is not surprising, DeMaria says, considering POLICY OPTIONS FOR STATES Iowa 61.8% 38.2% what he has heard from school Hoover points to a number Kansas 52.7% 47.3% administrators, teachers and of state-level, school-centered parents on listening tours across policies and investments that can Michigan 57.8% 42.2% the state. And that was before help young people. Minnesota 65.3% 34.7% the potential impacts of the One strategy is to improve COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health literacy among Nebraska 59.1% 40.9% mental health of people of all students. ages. “Just like we’d want young North Dakota 66.8% 33.2% Across the country, “there people to know about their Ohio 57.9% 42.1% was a ton of activity, pre-COVID, physical health and nutrition around state actions to support as part of health education, we South Dakota 66.8% 33.2% mental health and schools,” want them to understand mental says Alex Mays, senior national health — how do you obtain Wisconsin 52.6% 47.4%

Source: Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health, COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 “2017 -2018 Survey of Children’s Health” Inside this issue

CSG Midwest Issue Briefs 2-3 Question of the Month 5 Capital Insights 8-9

• Agriculture & Natural Resources: States trying again to • How have states in the Midwest sought to regulate • Profile: South Dakota stop far-reaching California rules on raising livestock pharmacy benefit managers? Senate Majority Leader Gary Cammack • Health & Human Services: Illinois, Indiana are seeking expansion of Medicaid’s postpartum coverage Capital Clips 6 • FirstPerson article: Minnesota Sen. Carla • Criminal Justice & Public Safety: Proposals in Kansas aim • Slow population growth in the United States has been even Nelson to improve community supervision, expand use of diversion more pronounced in Midwest • Great Lakes: U.S. Congress authorizes construction of new • Michigan, Nebraska have laws for barriers to prevent introduction of Asian carp to lakes college student-athletes CSG Midwest News 10 • Year-over-year state spending Around the Region 4 expected to drop for first time • A look at how new and returning legislators can make the since Great Recession most of The Council of State Governments • Sessions in Midwest began with new rules on masks in capitols, remote legislating during COVID-19 pandemic • Iowa ramps up efforts to improve instruction of computer science BILLD Alumni Notes 11 Capital Closeup 5 in K-12 schools • Seven graduates of CSG Midwest’s leadership program are • State government of Minnesota singled out as national top party leaders in state legislatures in 2021 • Lopsided majorities in some legislatures mean big leader on cybersecurity, IT modernization challenges for members of very small caucuses • Words of advice from BILLD graduates to legislators in their first year of legislative service CSG MIDWEST ISSUE BRIEFS

Agriculture & natural Resources Midwest states battling California law they say dictates how region's farmers must raise livestock

by Carolyn Orr ([email protected]) animal proteins,” says Iowa Sen. ONGOING LEGAL BATTLES Annette Sweeney, who is also a Value of hog production Proposition 12 has survived he U.S. Department of Justice in farmer. December joined six Midwestern in midwest as of October 2018 previous attempts to kill it in court. T “This proposition does not In November 2019, a U.S. District states (plus nine others) and the North improve animal welfare or food Court in California denied the North American Meat Institute in the latest safety, and California voters Value of Inventory American Meat Institute’s request for legal effort to block a 2018 California shouldn’t be telling Iowa farmers State production (1,000 a preliminary injunction, finding that ballot initiative that opponents say will how to raise their hogs.” (In 2018, ($1,000) head) the law did not have a discriminatory dictate how farmers across the region Iowa legislators approved HF 2408, Illinois 1,132,050 5,350 purpose. A three-judge appellate can raise their livestock. which requires grocery stores to sell panel denied an appeal, saying that California voters approved conventional eggs from hens raised Indiana 913,318 4,050 Proposition 12 is not discriminatory Proposition 12 by a 63 percent to 37 in cages if they also sell “specialty” since it applies to producers both percent margin, thereby establishing eggs, such as cage-free, to ensure Iowa 5,670,532 22,800 within and outside of the state. production standards for pigs and veal consumers and food programs had In late December, the court denied Kansas 432,851 2,110 calves within California — but also access to economical eggs.) a request for a rehearing by the full prohibiting the sale of meat produced In an amicus brief, Kansas Michigan 294,849 1,190 panel of judges. The North American outside the state if those animals were Attorney General Derek Schmidt Meat Institute is considering an not raised in accordance with the said Proposition 12 would establish Minnesota 2,021,704 8,500 appeal. requirements. a national animal-husbandry policy A previous complaint against Nebraska 717,838 3,600 It also augments Proposition 2 of via rules allowing California officials Proposition 12 — filed in December 2019 by the National Pork Producers 2008 (approved by an almost-identical to conduct on-site inspections North Dakota 36,767 147 percentage), which required that of farming operations in other Council and the American Farm Bureau cage-laying hens have enough space states and impose record-keeping Ohio 557,004 2,950 Federation (joined by several states) — was dismissed in April 2020 by a to extend their wings in all directions. requirements. South Dakota 399,771 1,560 federal judge who ruled the law did Proposition 12 eliminates cages for “California’s attempt to regulate not discriminate against interstate hens, and requires farmers to provide animal agriculture outside its Wisconsin 84,912 305 commerce and did not directly regulate veal calves with 43 square feet and borders is an unconstitutional extra-territorial conduct. sows with 24 feet of space by 2022. barrier on interstate commerce Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Uncooked meat, poultry and eggs and will be devastating to Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service, Meat Animal Ohio and South Dakota are among the must be produced under these Production, Income, October 2018 agriculture,” Schmidt said. 15 U.S. states supporting the North standards to be sold in California, a The U.S. Justice Department’s American Meat Institute’s current big market for agriculture producers brief contends that California’s lawsuit against California’s Proposition in the Midwest. For example, the state Proposition 12 disrupts U.S. the department argued. 12. accounts for about 20 percent of the Department of Agriculture food “Any price increases in food products U.S. pork market. programs. attributable to the new law would Carolyn Orr serves as CSG Midwest staff California’s regulations “hurt “[It] would frustrate USDA policy not make such assistance programs more liaison to the Midwestern Legislative consumers by increasing prices for to buy products that are specialized expensive and reduce the buying power Conference Agriculture & Natural Resources pork, veal and eggs and hurt farmers or geographic in nature for the of benefits under the Supplemental Committee. by increasing the cost of producing Emergency Food Assistance Program,“ Nutrition Assistance Program.” Health & Human Services

Some states look to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to full year

by Jon Davis ([email protected]) that adopted Medicaid expansion failed in Iowa (SF 2062), Wisconsin Outcome of efforts in Midwest to expand must also cover certain services (SB 630/AB 693), and Illinois (an new Kaiser Family Foundation postpartum medicaid coverage in 2020 recommended by the U.S. Preventative amendment to HB 4 that would have report recommends that Services Task Force. covered doula and evidence-based Astates seeking to reduce Beyond that, states can choose home visiting services for up to a year maternal mortality should expand which other services to cover. following birth). their Medicaid programs’ postpartum Illinois and Indiana are seeking Minnesota’s HF 7 would have coverage from the federally mandated federal waivers to expand coverage directed the state’s human services 60 days to a full year from the date of from 60 days to one year. commissioner to study ways to expand birth. Illinois’ plan, submitted in January postpartum Medicaid coverage, The report also recommends: 2020, would extend coverage to including federal waivers, and report • raising parental income eligibility reduce maternal deaths and better to the Legislature by Dec. 15, 2021. levels; address social determinants of health, Introduced during a special session, • expanding coverage for specific as well as improve the health of babies that measure also failed to advance. populations, such as under-insured covered by the Children’s Health Maureen Hensley-Quinn, senior E women or mothers suffering from Insurance Program. program director at the National substance use or mental health E Indiana wants to expand coverage Academy for State Health Policy, says disorders; for mothers who are living at or below postpartum Medicaid coverage will • providing postpartum services E S 111 213 percent of the federal poverty continue to be one of the primary non- such as lactation consultations and level and who are suffering from COVID-19 issues in health in 2021. breastfeeding supplies; opioid use disorders. State officials say S 111 “Maternal health and morbidity is a • including family planning services this change in policy would reduce priority for many states,” she says. “We to provide pregnancy planning and M maternal morbidity and mortality “by know that Black and minority women healthy birth spacing; and Source: National Academy for State Health Policy providing additional health care access are more likely to be uninsured, • adopting the Affordable Care Act’s and case management support.” and therefore more likely to have Medicaid expansion (most states in the Michigan’s 2021 budget includes conditions that lead to morbidity.” Midwest already have done so). 2020 was $21,720 for a family of three. $12.6 million for the Healthy Moms, Federal law requires states to provide Babies born to women on Medicaid are Healthy Babies initiative, which Jon Davis serves as CSG Midwest staff liaison postpartum coverage for women automatically covered for their first year. expands coverage to a full year. to the Midwestern Legislative Conference with incomes of up to 138 percent Medicaid pays for prenatal care, Other legislation to expand such Health & Human Services Committee. of the federal poverty level, which in childbirth and delivery services. States coverage was considered in 2020 but

2 STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 criminal Justice & public safety Kansas commission seeks budget savings for state by standardizing supervision, expanding diversion

by Mitch Arvidson ([email protected]) while various state courts handle supervise offenders. It also probation supervision. This can lead would have provided funding % of Kansas’ prison population in for drug ike most states, Kansas is facing a to dual supervision for one person — via federal grants. offenses, FY 2010-FY 2019 Lbudget deficit in fiscal year 2021 multiple meetings, fees, drug tests HB 2708 unanimously 11% because of the COVID-19 pandemic. and little to no coordination of efforts passed the House but died 2010 Estimated in the fall to be $152 million among state agencies. in the Senate’s Judiciary 12% after an initial $1.4 billion deficit In fiscal year 2019, $84 million of Committee when COVID-19 2011 forecast in April, it will precipitate cuts 11% Kansas’ spending on criminal justice shut down most legislative 2012 this legislative session. came from individuals incarcerated activity. 11% Advocates of criminal justice reform due to violations of supervision or drug Owens says the measure 2013 say recommendations approved in offenses. will be considered again in 12% November by the Kansas Criminal To reduce these costs, and prioritize 2021. 2014 Justice Reform Commission could help prison beds for violent offenders, the “The goal being, let’s help 14% close that gap, as well as save money 2015 commission recommends expanding the people who need help year Fiscal 14% into the future, by using stronger, the use of diversion programs. with their addictions,” he says. 2016 non-incarceration supervision and SB 123 of 2003 authorized “Let’s help them turn their 15% community-based treatments. prosecutors and judges to assign lives around and in the end if 2017 “When you think about the cost of nonviolent drug possession offenders they’re able to, let’s make sure 15% housing someone in prison [$30,000 to with no prior convictions to they’re not branded with a 2018 $75,000 per year], and then 16% certified substance abuse felony for the rest of their life.” 2019 the ancillary economic costs treatment. The Council of State of criminal activity, you begin In practice, however, this Governments Justice 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 to realize that focusing on supervision falls under the Center helped the Kansas Total prison population treating the symptoms of responsibility of county/ commission by providing In prison for drug o enses Total population what leads people to criminal district attorney offices, comparative research from activity would be a more many of which in Kansas are other states, and with on- Source: CSG Justice Center analysis of prison population data cost-effective approach to run by a single, part-time, the-ground data collection dealing with crime,” says Rep. prosecutor. and stakeholder interviews in different agencies, [it] was an invaluable Stephen Owens, vice chair of Kansas Rep. On behalf of the nearly 100 Kansas counties. Stephen Owens resource [leading] to the success of our the commission. commission, Owens “Their team literally swarmed our Criminal Justice Reform Commission.” One recommendation seeks introduced HB 2708 in state and did research that, as citizen to standardize and consolidate parole February 2020. legislators, we simply don’t have time Mitch Arvidson serves as CSG Midwest The bill would have authorized to do,” Owens says. and probation supervision standards to staff liaison to the Midwestern Legislative eliminate duplicative state efforts. prosecutors to enter into memoranda “For them to be able to step in and Conference Criminal Justice & Public Currently, the Kansas Department of of understanding with court services do so much of that homework, that Safety Committee. Corrections handles parole supervision or community corrections offices to research, and to work with all of these great lakes Proposed Asian carp barrier gets federal backing; new rules on treatment of ballast water moving forward

by Tim Anderson ([email protected]) federal sponsor for the pre-construction St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus. engineering and design phase. Preventing these Assessing the Health of the he year 2020 ended with two policy And it will be receiving some financial introductions is the goal of Great lakes ecosystem developments likely to shape assistance from a Great Lakes neighbor. the EPA’s proposed new rules, Tfuture regional efforts to protect Michigan has committed $8 million which include discharge- the Great Lakes from one of its greatest for this phase of the project. Illinois will specific standards for 20 Indicator Current status Trend threats — the introduction and spread of contribute the remaining $2.5 million different types of vessel Drinking water Good Unchanging aquatic invasive species. that is needed. The two states entered equipment and treatment As part of a spending bill approved in into an intergovernmental agreement systems. They are the result of Beaches Good Unchanging December, the U.S. Congress authorized in late December. More costs will come, the Vessel Incidental Discharge an $858 million project to add a new and have to be covered, for the actual Act of 2018. Fish consumption Fair Unchanging electric barrier and other fish-control construction phase. Great Lakes advocates Unchanging to technologies at Brandon Road Lock and largely supported this law Toxic chemicals Fair improving Dam near Joliet, Ill. The goal: keep Asian NEW RULES, BUT NOT YET because it ensures that the carp and other invasive species from EPA can regulate ballast water Habitat and species Fair Unchanging reaching the Great Lakes via the Chicago Concerns about Asian carp are behind the push for the Brandon Road project. discharges as a pollutant Area Waterway System. under the Clean Water Act, and Invasive species Poor Deteriorating This fall, too, the U.S. Environmental These species of fish were initially thus establish science-based Protection Agency released draft brought to the United States to control Groundwater Fair Undetermined treatment standards. standards for how the ballast water on algae blooms and vegetation in But these gains in federal oceangoing vessels must be treated. aquaculture facilities in the South. They Watershed impacts Fair Unchanging escaped and have spread throughout protection will come with a the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, which loss of policy authority for Climate trends No overall assessment PROGRESS ON BRANDON ROAD are connected to the Great Lakes via the states, which will be largely barred from setting more- Source: “State of the Great Lakes 2019” (Governments of Canada and the The new barrier and controls at Brandon Chicago Area Waterway System, where United States) Road are a project of the U.S. Army Corps Brandon Road Lock and Dam is located. stringent standards of their of Engineers. Such projects typically But most invasive species, including sea own. Michigan, Minnesota require a non-federal sponsor that pays lamprey and zebra mussels, came to the and Wisconsin currently for Great Lakes states will be for their for 35 percent of the costs, but Great Lakes Great Lakes via the discharge of ballast have state-level permitting programs governors to petition the EPA and ask for advocates and congressional supporters water from oceangoing vessels. and/or requirements for ballast water more-stringent standards. were able to boost the federal share of “[It] accounts for anywhere from 55 to management. “That [pre-emption] Brandon Road’s costs to 80 percent. 70 percent of the reported introductions happens when the standards are final, CSG Midwest provides staff support to the since 1959,” Sarah LeSage, aquatic invasive effective and enforceable,” LeSage said. That still leaves a considerable amount Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus. of money needed for a project with a species program coordinator for the These new federal rules, which will be Illinois Rep. Robyn Gabel serves as chair. current price tag of close to $1 billion. Michigan Department of Environment, enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, could Minnesota Rep. Jennifer Schultz is the vice Illinois has signed an agreement with Great Lakes and Energy, said in December take effect as early as 2023, she said. chair. the Army Corps to be the project’s non- during a presentation to the Great Lakes- At that point, the only policy pathway

STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 3 AROUND THE REGION

Are lawmakers required to wear masks not business as usual: COVID-19 protocols are for legislative session? in place in all of Midwest’s legislatures, but (As of January 2021) rules vary widely from chamber to chamber

by Tim Anderson ([email protected]) themselves, had family members contract it, or been exposed to others who have had it,” South Dakota or a second calendar year, the nation’s Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck said “laboratories of democracy” are having to prior to the start of session. Fexperiment with new ways of conducting “We know the situation in our state, and plan to legislative business amid the outbreak of a deadly do what we can to mitigate the spread. But we still infectious disease. understand that legislative business has to go on.” Y The early results for 2021: a varied set of COVID- Late in 2020, Attorney General Derek Schmidt 19-related rules and protocols in place for the start of advised the Kansas Legislature that members should Y S session in the Midwest’s 21 state legislative chambers; be “physically present” for votes in committee and on proposed new laws on how legislatures can meet the floor. He based this advisory opinion on quorum Y S during future outbreaks; and the implementation of rules and constitutional language requiring legislators N technologies to ensure public access to the legislative to meet (which commonly means “come together,” process. according to Schmidt) in the state capital. Here is an overview, based on a CSG Midwest review “Bills passed by a procedure inconsistent with [these] of legislative documents, discussions with legislative requirements may be subject to challenge in court staff and news reports as of early January. and will be invalidated if found constitutionally infirm,” Schmidt wrote. Snapshot of legislatures in Midwest MINNESOTA HOUSE GOES REMOTE IN 2021 for 2021 sessions At least for the start of the year, most legislative MASK REQUIREMENTS IN SOME CHAMBERS leaders in the Midwest chose to hold their sessions and Kansas’ legislative session began in January in % of legislators committee meetings in person, in their respective state person. According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, State # of members capitols. steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the state serving in The Minnesota House is one notable exception. Capitol include having members of the House use the first year* Session began there in early January with some chamber’s gallery to allow for social distancing and 118 in House, members in the chamber, but most taking their oaths Illinois 11% utilizing remote testimony on bills before legislative 59 in Senate of office through Zoom, according to the online committees. House publication Session Daily. For the entirety of 100 in House, Many other legislatures are employing these same Indiana 11% the 2021 session, too, House leaders had procedures strategies. Other protocols for 2021 include the 50 in Senate in place to allow for online legislating, including plans installation of plexiglass barriers in committee rooms 100 in House, for all committee meetings to be held remotely. (The and on the chamber floor; new Iowa 16% 50 in Senate Minnesota Senate is employing a mix limits on the number of people in of in-person and online meetings.) committee rooms; temperature 125 in House, Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas 20% checks for legislators, staff and the 40 in Senate most states did not have specific public; and COVID-19 testing. laws spelling out when and how 110 in House, In Indiana, the 100-member Michigan 20% legislatures could meet remotely. House moved its floor sessions to a 38 in Senate States such as Minnesota have larger government office building. 134 in House, instead used changes in legislative It also started the year by holding Minnesota 14% 67 in Senate rules. However, at the beginning only one floor session per week. of this year, bills were being (The House has typically met three 49 in Unicameral Nebraska 16% introduced in some of the region’s times a week.) Legislature capitols to provide specific statutory Legislatures split on the question authority. 94 in House, of whether to require the wearing North Dakota 8% A proposal in North Dakota (SB of masks or simply encourage it, 47 in Senate 2124) would allow the Legislative though the latter has been more 99 in House, Assembly “to use any technology Ohio 17% common (see top map). In some 33 in Senate or electronic means available to states, too, mask wearing is optional conduct meetings and transact for members of the legislature, but 70 in House, South Dakota 17% legislative business” when meeting in special session to mandatory for staff, visitors and/or the media. 35 in Senate “address a state of emergency or disaster.” When Saskatchewan’s new Legislative Assembly met 99 in House, Bills in Illinois (HB 5868 and SB 4030) outline a process for the first time in late 2020, members wore masks Wisconsin 14% for when and how the state General Assembly could while in session. Plexiglass shields also were installed 33 in Senate conduct legislative business virtually — “in times of on members’ desks. * Excludes members who previously served or switched chambers pestilence or an emergency resulting from a domestic or a foreign terrorist attack,” and under rules that the House UPGRADES IN TECHNOLOGY IN PLACE and Senate would be required to have in place. “The intent of the legislation is to provide for According to The Bismarck Tribune, North Dakota Legal limits on length of session? the very rare circumstances where it is extremely lawmakers used a portion of federal CARES Act dangerous or impossible to meet,” says Illinois Rep. Ann dollars over the interim to improve public access to Williams, sponsor of HB 5868. the legislative process — for example, technological Wisconsin is one of the few U.S. states with a long- upgrades to live-stream committee meetings and floor standing, comprehensive law on virtual legislating sessions and to allow remote testimony on bills. during publicly declared disasters. That law was used The Minnesota House expanded the number in 2020 to help plan and execute sessions in which of committee meetings that can be live-streamed legislators participated and voted on bills remotely. simultaneously (from two to five), with the goal of having “most, if not all, regular House activity … visible via webcast,” according to Session Daily. VIRTUAL OPTION FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS In addition, to improve the functionality of remote In some Midwestern states, legislative leaders are legislating, the House is using a fingerprint authentication holding in-person sessions while giving individual system. Each member was issued a fingerprint reader and N members the chance to participate virtually. That had two fingers registered prior to session. N extends to voting on bills in states such as North Dakota, “Now, when a vote is taken, we use the fingerprint I where new rules give “the same rights, privileges and reader to verify who we are, and then vote online,” says I duties” to members who are not “physically present.” Minnesota Rep. Paul Anderson, noting that this change Y South Dakota’s joint rules permit legislators to attend allows the chamber to bypass the cumbersome and vote remotely under certain circumstances and process of virtual roll-call voting. Y with the approval of leadership. “When all the kinks get worked out, it should speed “Members of the Legislature have battled COVID up the process of [online] voting,” he added. Source: The Council of State Governments’ “Book of the States”

4 STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 CAPITAL CLOSEUP

‘Being in two places at once’: Small party caucuses pose big challenges

by Jon Davis ([email protected]) committees to testify on a bill elsewhere. chamber’s 50 seats. % of seats held by party in control of “If I have to leave the Appropriations The Saskatchewan Party controls 79 ot much changed across the Committee, then there’ll be no [Democrat] percent of the province’s 61-member legislative chambers (january 2021) Midwestern legislative landscape in that committee,” Nesiba says. “There’s unicameral Assembly, making it safe Nwhen the dust from the November going to be real challenges. I think it’s going from “no confidence” votes that can House/lower chamber 2020 general election had settled. No to be harder than [the 2020 session], when bring down the government and force chamber changed partisan hands, but as we were five.” a new election. 85% the size of some majorities grew, the size At the start of session, Heinert asked There are lopsided majorities outside of corresponding minorities stood out like various committee chairs to let his three- the Midwest as well. Hawaii’s 25-seat 51% a sore thumb. member caucus place Senate began its 2021 session with just 89% 63%* Or, as South Dakota Sen. comments on the record one Republican (and one vacancy). 54% Red Dawn Foster says, like a Capital Closeup regarding bills and to Since 1992, that GOP caucus has 59% “sore pinky.” accommodate schedule fluctuated between five (2002 through 65% 62% 73%* When the 35-member quirks as they arise. Most 2006) and none (2017 and 2018). Senate began its 2021 have been understanding, “Regardless of how small the 69%* session in January, Foster he says. representation is for the other party, was the newly minted “That’s going to be the it’s still worthwhile that their voice assistant minority leader hard part — being in two be heard,” says South Dakota Senate Senate/upper chamber for a Democratic caucus places at once,” he says. “But Majority Leader Sen. Gary Cammack, of three: herself, Minority I have faith in our members. who also is the 2021 chair of CSG’s 85% Leader Troy Heinert and We work well together, and maybe we’ll Midwestern Legislative Conference. Minority Whip Reynold Nesiba. have to save arguments for floor debates. Perhaps counterintuitively, 51% Politics aside, that number presents a But we had to do that as a caucus of five.” Cammack believes the situation in 91% 64%* huge practical hurdle: with 13 standing The South Dakota Senate was fairly South Dakota can take some of the 58% committees in the Senate, the caucus evenly split along partisan lines as recently politics out of cross-aisle dialogue. 64%* doesn’t have nearly enough members to 76% as 2009, with 20 Republicans and 14 “On issues where you disagree, 69%* 78% attend them all. Democrats. Republicans gained 10 seats you can have a real one-to-one Heinert says interns and volunteers in the 2010 election, and Democrats have conversation and talk it out. A 50- 73% are being relied upon to take notes in the been in single digits ever since. 50 situation would change those committee meetings that he, Nesiba and By percentage terms, South Dakota’s dynamics,” he says. Nonpartisan, Foster can’t attend so they can discuss Senate Republican majority of 91 percent Democratic Republican unicameral control control bills during caucus time. (South Dakota’s is the most lopsided among the region’s Capital Closeup is an ongoing series of legislature Legislature sets caucus meetings for times legislatures, although North Dakota’s articles focusing on institutional issues in state governments and legislatures. when no committee meetings are held). Republicans have majorities of 85 percent * Chamber has a vacant seat, pending appointment Previous articles are available at Nesiba adds there are times when in both chambers and Indiana Senate or special election of a new member csgmidwest.org. he’ll have to leave one of his assigned Republicans occupy 78 percent of the Question of the Month

State laws on licensure/registration of QUESTION | What actions have states in the Midwest taken pharmacy benefit managers in Midwest regarding the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)? (as of december 2020)

In a December 2020 decision, the U.S. Supreme As of October 2020, 46 states had enacted some Court unanimously affirmed that states can type of law regulating PBMs, including measures regulate pharmacy benefit managers (often enacted in six Midwestern states over the past abbreviated as PBMs), the “middlemen” between two years. health insurance plans and pharmacies, to curb rising prescription drug prices. Among the states requiring PBMs to share information on pricing and rebates with According to the National Academy for State pharmacies and/or administrative organizations Health Policy, PBMs administer health plans’ are Illinois (HB 465), Indiana (HB 1588), Iowa (SF pharmacy benefits, which can involve setting up 563) and Minnesota (SF 278). a pharmacy network, designing the list of covered prescription drugs, and establishing what plan Under HB 1207 and SB 241, Indiana’s insurance commissioner may adopt rules to specify PBM members pay out of pocket. M licensure and financial standards, as well as ban Some PBM practices have come under scrutiny, PBMs from reimbursing affiliates more than M including requiring rebates (which may not get independent pharmacies. passed on to the health plan or consumers) from N In 2018, as part of SF 2418, Iowa barred PBMs manufacturers to put drugs on a “preferred” list; from prohibiting pharmacies or pharmacists creating lists that benefit the PBM at consumers’ Sources: National Community Pharmacists Association and from discussing cost information with covered CSG Midwest research expense; requiring the purchase of drugs from individuals, or from selling more-affordable PBM-controlled pharmacies; restricting price and alternatives. The bill also prohibited health drug-pricing arrangements and rebate deals with cost information that pharmacies can share with benefit plans from requiring pharmacy benefit drug manufacturers and distributors. consumers; and failing to safeguard the financial co-payments that exceed submitted charges. interest of their health plan’s clients. South Dakota in 2019 enacted HB 1137, limiting In Minnesota, PBMs cannot bar pharmacists from the amount by which a PBM can charge or adjust To address those concerns, the National Academy disclosing information about drug costs and a payment and barring them from discriminating for State Health Policy suggests states require alternative therapies, nor can they retroactively against pharmacies participating in certain PBMs to be licensed, have a fiduciary duty, adjust claims for reimbursement submitted by a health plans, and from setting patient co-pays/ disclose conflicts of interest, and report rebates pharmacy. co-insurance higher than the cost of the drug. and fees to the state, which would then make public any non-proprietary information. Ohio’s 2019 budget (HB 166) incorporated bans Question of the Month response by Laura on retroactive claim adjustments and requiring Kliewer ([email protected]), senior policy The academy also recommends a prohibition pharmacies to not disclose lower-priced and analyst for CSG Midwest, which provides on co-payments/co-insurance higher than the therapeutically equivalent drugs. The state also individualized research assistance to cost of a drug; statutory language that ensures reorganized its Medicaid managed care program, legislators, legislative staff and other pharmacists have the ability to inform customers; opting to contract with a single PBM by July 2020. government officials. This section highlights and a ban on penalties against patients who don’t The state’s PBM must meet strict transparency a research question received by CSG Midwest. use pharmacy services in which the PBM has a requirements and disclose any received financial Inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. financial interest. benefits or other payments, conflicts of interest,

STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 5 CAPITAL CLIPS

U.S. Population growth slowed in past decade; trend was even more pronounced in Midwest Estimated Change in Midwestern states’ In a decade of historically low population growth nationwide, most states in the Midwest had even smaller increases, with one population over past decade experiencing a net decline in residents between 2010 and 2020, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released in late 2020. Only North Dakota and South Dakota outpaced the U.S. growth rate; a third state in the upper Midwest, Minnesota, has had a population increase on par with the rest of the United States. Conversely, the latest estimates show Illinois as one of six U.S. +13.4% states losing people between 2010 and 2020. +6.5% Three factors cause changes in a state’s population: 1) the number of births vs. the number of deaths; 2) domestic migration +9.4% +2.5% (movement between states); and 3) international migration. On that first factor, there has been a “natural increase” in population +0.9% of every Midwestern state, though one notable recent trend across the nation has been a smaller and smaller birth-to-death ratio. +3.7% Patterns in domestic migration are caused by factors such as quality of life and economic opportunity. For example, much of +5.9% +1.3% North Dakota’s decennial increase occurred in the first part of the decade, during an oil boom in the western part of that state. -2.0% +4.1%

Prior to this past decade, the lowest rate of decennial population growth in U.S. history was 7.3 percent and occurred in the +1.9% 1930s, according to demographer William Frey, a senior fellow in the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program. The new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show this past decade’s increase as being below 7 percent. “It is roughly half the growth rate of the 1990s, a time of rising [international] immigration and millennial-generation births,” he US US wrote in December. Frey adds that the COVID-19 pandemic stunted population growth, with several states — including Illinois, Michigan and Ohio in the Midwest — experiencing a net loss of population over the past two years. Nationwide, the increase between July 2019 and July 2020 is estimated to be 0.35 percent, the lowest annual growth rate since at least 1900, says Frey, US noting that the pandemic led to more deaths and restrictions on immigration. Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Supporters of new compensation laws for student-athletes get wins in Michigan, Nebraska

Michigan and Nebraska are among the first states in the nation with laws that allow collegiate athletes to use their own names, images, likenesses and reputations for financial compensation. Michigan’s HB 5217 and 5218 were signed in December and take effect in 2023. The bipartisan measures were sponsored by two former college athletes: Reps. Brandt Iden and Joe Tate. Iden notes that in his college days, he had opportunities to give tennis lessons to young players at recreational centers and camps, but was not allowed to advertise his status as a player on his Kalamazoo College team. Such a qualification, he says, would have presented additional value when offering his services. In late 2019, the NCAA’s governing board voted to allow student-athletes to earn compensation from the use of their names, images and likenesses. However, Tate, who played football at Michigan State University, believes a codification of student- athletes’ rights in state law still is needed. Under HB 5217 and 5218, Michigan’s post-secondary institutions are barred from denying eligibility or scholarships based on an athlete pursuing certain financial opportunities. The bills also allow agents to enter into contracts with student-athletes. Nebraska’s LB 962 was signed into law in July and becomes effective on July 1, 2023.

Spending cuts in early part of fiscal year illustrate pandemic’s impact on state finances FY 2020 general fund revenue Collections

The COVID-19 pandemic’s teeth sank deeper into state budgets’ general funds from fiscal year 2020 to 2021 as it slowed economic compared to original budget projections activity and as federal aid to states ran out, prompting spending cuts and other mitigation efforts, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers in its December 2020 “Fiscal Survey of the States.” +1.3%

Among the report’s findings: general fund spending in U.S. states’ enacted FY 2021 budgets declined 1.1 percent from FY 2020 (the -1.6% first year-over-year decline since the Great Recession), and general fund revenue is projected to decline by 4.4 percent this fiscal year +2.4% +1.3% compared to “already depressed” levels from FY 2020. -4.7% Data for the report were collected from August through November 2020, only the first few months of the new fiscal year in most +1.2% +0.2% states. Still, many mid-year cuts already were being reported — for example, a reduction of $421.3 million in Indiana, due in part to -1.6% -5.3% -7.1% state agencies slashing their budgets by 15 percent along with 7 percent cuts to public universities; and $437.6 million in Kansas, based on a mix of targeted and across-the-board cuts proposed by Gov. Laura Kelly. -7.1% Based on responses from state budget leaders, NASBO also reported the use of across-the-board or targeted cuts in Michigan, Nebraska and South Dakota, as well as staff furloughs and salary reductions inOhio and hiring freezes of some kind in Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska and Ohio. S Most states entered the recent downturn in relatively strong fiscal shape. Rainy day fund and total balances were at record highs S before the pandemic hit, NASBO says, but total balances among U.S. states were already being projected to decline by $33.3 billion in Source: National Association of State Budget O cers’ “Fiscal FY 2021 compared to 2019 levels. Survey of the States, Fall 2020”

Iowa working to get all students access to quality computer science instruction % of U.S. High schools Teaching computer science, by community type By fall of 2022, every high school in Iowa will be required to offer instruction in computer science, and the state is making plans now 0 57% to have its teacher workforce ready and a strong curriculum in place. Legislators approved HF 2629 in 2020, a bill that created the new instructional requirements and established a Computer Science Work Group. This group began meeting early this year to develop 0 44% recommendations on how to teach computer science and promote this subject area among K-12 students and families. 41% 43% 0 Since 2017, Iowa has had a Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund, which prepares K-12 instructors to teach specific computer science courses and/or earn university endorsements to teach computer science. A total of $883,097 was awarded 0 this past year to more than 167 school districts and nonpublic schools. 20

Under Iowa’s HF 2629, high schools must offer at least one computer science course by July 1, 2022. One year later, Iowa’s elementary 10 T S and middle schools must begin providing instruction in at least one grade level. R 0 Source: 2020 “State of Computer Science ducation”

Minnesota gets top ranking in nation for work on cybersecurity, technology modernization

Minnesota is a national leader among state governments on cybersecurity preparedness and IT modernization, the result of a mix of legislative actions and investments as well as leadership from the executive branch, according to a December 2020 report from the Internet Association, a group composed of global internet companies. The state has a cybersecurity budget of $5 million, experiences a smaller-than-average number of ransomware attacks, and is guided by a centralized chief information security office. Minnesota also is one of three U.S. states with a “cloud first statute,” which the Internet Association describes as a commitment to leveraging commercial technologies to save taxpayer money and modernize the delivery of services. Minnesota was one of three states given a rating of “very good” in the study. Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota and Ohio were placed in the middle “good” tier; with Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin in the lower “getting started” tier.

6 STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 COVER STORY

New funding mechanisms help schools become hubs of mental health service

» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and maintain positive mental health,” programs. Its grants for school-linked According to Mays, who tracks Hoover says. mental health services date back to state activity across the country mental health and young people Some states (New York and Virginia) 2007; they bring practitioners into the for the Healthy Schools Campaign, have begun requiring mental health school building for direct care and Michigan has emerged as a leader % OF 3- TO 17-YEAR-OLDS education as a part of the school treatment, assessments of student in recent years on school-based 7.1% | WITH DIAGNOSED ANXIETY curriculum, and Illinois was the first needs, and training of staff. mental health — for example, U.S. state to adopt standards for social Separately, Minnesota has a “safe appropriating $31 million for emotional learning. school levy,” a provision in state law schools to bring in licensed % OF 3- TO 17-YEAR- Another option for states is to set a that permits local districts to collect behavioral health providers and 3.3% | OLDS WITH DIAGNOSED goal or requirement for the number of property taxes for specific purposes, changing the state’s Medicaid DEPRESSION school-employed psychologists, social including the hiring of licensed school program so that it can cover workers, counselors and nurses per counselors, nurses, psychologists and services for general-education student. (The ratio in nearly all states is social workers, as well as contracting students (those who don’t have an % OF 3- TO 17-YEAR- currently below recommended levels.) with mental health professionals. individualized education plan). 7.4% | OLDS WITH DIAGNOSED “Those staff are critical to providing Sen. Greg “The challenge you run into a BEHAVIOR PROBLEM universal mental health prevention Clausen, a lot is whether a state program is and supports in the schools, and that leading legislative sustainable or whether it’s just a % INCREASE IN NUMBER OF can reduce the needs for higher levels advocate of one-off,” Mays says. SUICIDES AMONG 10- TO of care,” Hoover says. school-based “That why I think it’s important 47.1% | 24-YEAR-OLDS OVER PAST “It’s not just looking immediately mental health, for states to look at ways to tap DECADE at what community providers we can traces his interest into health care funding, like bring in to the school.” in the issue Medicaid. Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention back to his past “If these services were being INCREASE IN SCHOOL- Minnesota Sen. experience as a provided in a hospital or a PROVIDER PARTNERSHIPS Greg Clausen school principal community clinic, it would to provide for school-based mental and administrator. be reimbursed, no questions asked. health, including new federal grants, That kind of outside help, though, “There were a Schools should be recognized as greater flexibility in public and private can be essential, especially in number of students where you saw the another site of service.” insurance plans, and programs being delivering specialized, higher-level care need, and there was a frustration that That change in Medicaid policy, she developed by the states themselves. to students. Many of the new state- we didn’t have a lot of services we could adds, is needed specifically for services Ohio’s $675 million Student Wellness funded initiatives in Ohio, for example, provide,” Clausen says. “And then when being provided by school-employed and Success Fund is a case in point. involve partnerships between the we tried to go outside the school, it was, staff. (Outside mental health providers “Maybe 10 years ago, you would have schools and local providers. ‘Well, we can get you in in three months.’ already can be reimbursed.) heard the argument, ‘This is not what Minnesota has one of the Midwest’s “It really provided the spark that we According to Hoover, a variety of schools ought to be about,’ ” DeMaria longest-running, comprehensive needed to do something.” funding streams are now available says. “Not anymore.”

Examples of state actions in Midwest to bolster school-centered mental health policies

To improve early detection of student needs, school-entry A bill introduced this year in Nebraska (LB 87) would dedicate health exams in Illinois must include screenings for social a portion of lottery proceeds to grants that train teachers and emotional well being (SB 565 of 2017). Illinois also was and other school personnel in mental health first aid. The the first U.S. state to adopt standards for social emotional goal: Ensure students in crisis get immediate help, and get learning. connected to appropriate services in the community.

Under a 2019 law (SB 325), Indiana has begun offering grants In recent years, North Dakota has started and expanded a for schools to develop plans that help students in need prevention and early intervention program in the schools. of mental health services. These plans (developed with The pilot initiative helps schools integrate behavioral parental involvement and consent) can include school- health strategies into existing educational and support based or outside services. systems for students.

Iowa’s top school official is helping lead that state’s first-of-its- Ohio is investing a historic amount of state dollars this kind, stand-alone Children’s Mental Health System. Created two biennium on student wellness. The $675 million Student years ago (HF 690) to close gaps in access and improve services, Wellness and Success Fund goes to projects developed by this system is overseen by a state board, with the Department local schools. That includes new school-based mental health of Education director serving as one of two standing co-chairs. services and partnerships with community providers.

Legislative appropriations in Kansas in recent years have Across Saskatchewan, at least one staff member in every school led to the creation of mental health intervention teams in will receive training this year on “mental health first aid” — for select school districts. School liaisons and clinical therapists example, recognizing symptoms of students in crisis, providing in the community work on these teams; they help identify initial assistance and connecting them with professional care. students in need and connect them to appropriate services. Saskatchewan is spending $400,000 on this training.

According to Alex Mays of the Healthy Schools Campaign, In South Dakota, as part of the state’s Project AWARE Michigan is a national leader on school-based mental health, initiative, system of care coordinators are forging new noting it was one of the first U.S. states to have such services relationships between local school districts and the state’s covered by Medicaid. This year, too, legislators dedicated community mental health centers. These coordinators help nearly $37 million for mental health services in schools. assess student needs and develop action plans.

More than a decade ago, Minnesota launched the Students in Wisconsin are being empowered to recognize the groundbreaking School-Linked Mental Health Services warning signs of depression and suicide among their peers, program. Along with bringing clinical-level care to schools, and then offer evidence-based supports. State funding for the program helps identify children with serious mental peer-to-peer training is the result of last year’s passage of AB health needs. 528. Wisconsin high schools can now apply for state grants.

STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 7 CAPITAL INSIGHTS

profile: south dakota senate majority leader gary cammack

A leader in business, on conservation and now of state government, he sees important economic and policy opportunities for South Dakota in year ahead

by Jon Davis ([email protected]) Bio-sketch: South dakota Sen. gary cammack ary Cammack’’s road to legislative leadership began, and continues, chosen Senate majority leader in late 2020; previously in the western part of his beloved  G served as Senate president pro tempore home state of South Dakota. He and his wife, Amy, met while in  first elected to South Dakota Senate in 2014 after serving high school in the town of Sturgis, got one term in the House married in 1972 and, one year later, bought a business.  elected as 2021 chair of The Council of State Governments' “Just a little general store 12 miles off a Midwestern Legislative Conference paved highway,” Cammack recalls. Six years later, they bought another  owns and operates Cammack Ranch Supply with his wife, Amy location in the town of Union Center (“this time on a paved highway,”  winner of 2018 Leopold Conservation Award for successful, Cammack says) and continued to grow innovative practices on Cammacks' 11,000-acre cattle ranch the business into what it is today — one of the area’s most successful and  he and Amy have four sons and 10 grandchildren respected supply stores for ranchers and farmers. Along the way, Cammack also worked in construction, as an ironworker helping build the Alaska Pipeline. That job helped “You can’t push people to do things and be very successful for the family erase its debts and buy the first acres of land that is now their 11,000-acre, any period of time. My leadership style is to encourage folks, and conservation award-winning ranch. The Cammacks began a family as well, now to make sure I adequately communicate the vision I have.” grown to four sons and 10 grandchildren. And then came the chance to enter the Legislature, and we hold all of the to thoroughly discussing an issue in their capabilities and create some new politics. constitutional offices in the executive order to find other areas of agreement. ones, if it’s possible. “I’d always had an interest in that, in branch. Last year, the people in the U.S. for having a front-row seat to democracy,” So Republicans have a very strong the first time — well, I’m fairly certain in Cammack says. representation in state government, and The past year was incredibly anybody’s lifetime that’s around right When a spot opened on the sometimes that has a tendency to create challenging for all states and now — saw meat cases that were empty. commission of his home county, Q Cammack, a longtime business leader, fractures based on differing viewpoints. their legislatures because of the And all of a sudden, it became a fairly was an obvious choice. He eventually It’s important that we maintain some COVID-19 pandemic. What is the clear reality that we need to develop really good communication — within made the jump to the Legislature in 2012, outlook for South Dakota in 2021? those opportunities and expand those winning a three-way primary for a House the [Senate Republican] caucus and also existing plants. Our smaller mom-and- seat and then the general election. He with the executive branch, the House We’ve got a really unique and pop plants can provide that local food soon joined the state’s upper chamber of Representatives and the public in A wonderful opportunity, actually. and also provide opportunities for local and emerged as a top legislative leader general. The other thing is that I think it’s In our state, we never shut down and producers in agriculture. there — first as president pro tempore, really important, regardless of a personal ended up, revenue-wise, in a very That’s one of the things I’m certainly and now as Senate majority leader. position [on an issue], to make sure all strong position. We also used the funds going to be taking a look at. Cammack also is now chair of viewpoints are heard in the caucus. Then, that came from the federal side wisely. The Council of State Governments’ we agree upon a direction and move in Because of all that, we’ve got Midwestern Legislative Conference, that way so we can speak as mostly a approaching a couple hundred million You’re also taking on the binational, nonpartisan group of all unified voice. dollars of money that’s available to us for Q another leadership state and provincial lawmakers from this one-time spending. So we’re going to role: chair of the Midwestern region. In that position, he will guide the have a really golden opportunity to be Legislative Conference. What are work of the MLC in 2021, including its In terms of leadership style, able to do some important things in the your goals for this nonpartisan, Annual Meeting (that event is scheduled Q what have you seen work, state of South Dakota that we might not to be held July 11-14 in Rapid City, S.D.). or not work? have been able to do otherwise. regional association of legislators? In a recent interview with CSG Where I hope to leave the MLC Midwest, Sen. Cammack discussed his In leadership, you’ve got to do is in a stronger position as far as views on leadership, the challenges and A exactly that, you’ve got to lead. What are some ideas on A participation and membership, and to opportunities that lie ahead for his home You can’t push. You can’t push people to how the state can use that Q be able to communicate to more people state of South Dakota, and the value of the do things and be very successful for any money? Midwestern Legislative Conference. Here period of time. My leadership style is to the value of the organization. are excerpts. encourage folks, and to make sure that There’s going to be a focus on There’s always some improvement I adequately communicate the vision I A expanding and completing our to be made, but the main thing is we have on any given issue. I try to do my broadband initiative. … Our goal is to have to make sure that the folks that we What do you view as some best to find common ground so that we have all of our citizens well-connected, serve have a clear understanding of all Q of the most important can move forward with some broad- so that’s going to be one of the big of the good things that we can do, and responsibilities of the Senate based support. things. all of the help that we can be to those majority leader? When I’ve seen real success [in the We’re also going to be taking a hard members. Any time I’ve attended one Legislature], it’s when individuals are look at trying to expand the capabilities of the MLC meetings, you cannot walk In South Dakota we do have a able to bring people together, identify of small packing plants and harvest away without having ended up with a lot A supermajority of Republicans in that common ground, and then commit facilities for livestock. We want to expand of insights.

8 STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 First person: Empowering Low-income Children With High-Quality Early Learning opportunities ‘Minnesota model’ combines use of scholarships, Parent Aware rating system

The highest returns on investment occur if it goes to high-quality programs that are successfully preparing low-income children for kindergarten.

On the flip side, research from the Early Learning Scholarships and Parent low-income children under age 5 still Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institute of Aware Ratings, which some have come can’t access high-quality programs. We Child Health and Human Development to call the “Minnesota model.” continue to search for a bipartisan way to shows that low-quality programs After results of that pilot program fund more scholarships. not only don’t produce a high return proved very encouraging, I helped Beyond our experience in Minnesota, on investment, they can actually set pass legislation to bring Early Learning it has been very gratifying to see similar vulnerable children backward. Scholarships and Parent Aware statewide, approaches adopted around the nation. Fortunately, high-quality child care and have been fighting since then to There are at least 18 state or municipal by Minnesota Sen. Carla Nelson can come in many shapes and sizes. maintain and expand these programs. initiatives that are aligned with a majority ([email protected]) We’ve seen in Minnesota that best To date, the state has awarded more of the tenants of what we call the practices can be adopted in homes, than 50,000 of these scholarships, and “Minnesota Model of Early Learning.” In hen I was a young girl both of schools, centers or churches. That’s every year, 100,000 young children other words, these jurisdictions have my parents worked — my dad great news, because parents want and are served in Parent Aware-rated programs that are targeted to the children Was a principal and my mom as need the ability to choose the setting programs. This is one of my proudest most in need, tied to quality, start early in a teacher. that is right for their family. achievements in public office. life, and offer families flexibility and choice. So, every day, my mom dropped my As a former teacher, I have seen the Thanks to the Minnesota Early A few notable examples: Quality First brother and me off at Grandma Bowman’s impact of high-quality child care first Learning Foundation pilot program and Scholarships in Arizona, Indy Preschool home. Grandma Bowman wasn’t our real hand. I think of a kindergartner who did evaluations, scholarships are aligned Scholarships, Erie’s Futures Fund in grandma; that’s just what we called her. not know how to open a book to read, with four research-based principles. Pennsylvania, and Maryland’s Child Care She was my family’s day care provider in opening it with the spine on the right. • First, financial help is targeted to Scholarship Program. All have significant the little town where I grew up, where You don’t see that with children who have children in low-income families who similarities to our approach in Minnesota, everyone knew everyone. experienced a high-quality program. can’t access quality early-learning with interesting twists that we’re studying. Child care has changed a lot since I am a firm believer that the first and programs. Research shows that this kind then, in large part because we have most important teacher in a student’s life of targeted investment yields the highest ‘ALL HANDS ON DECK’ MOMENT learned about the importance of early is the parent. But many parents from all return on investment for taxpayers. brain development. Brain scientists Child care is no longer just about walks of life are working full time and need • Second, scholarships are available tell us that up to 80 percent of brain keeping children sheltered, fed, safe and assistance; quality programs provide the early in life, from birth to age 5, before development happens by age 3. healthy. For students to be successful in help that they and their young children achievement gaps grow too large and We also know that achievement gaps school and life, they also need to have need. So, when I think about child care, become difficult to close. can be measured as early as age 1. The their brains stimulated in quality, play- what I think about is adequately preparing • Third, by making these scholarships data send a clear, urgent message: we based early-learning programs. The stakes young children to enter school. flexible, parents are empowered and must stimulate young brains early in life. What should that look like? are high for our taxpayers, communities, put in the driver’s seat. Parents can economy and most-vulnerable children. choose from an array of high-quality IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY, CHOICE This must be an “all hands on deck” THE ‘MINNESOTA MODEL’ programs to find one that best fits their moment. We are failing too many Armed with this knowledge, Along with other states, Minnesota has individual preferences and needs. disadvantaged children by shutting them today’s parents expect the use of been a leader in providing high-quality • Finally, and perhaps most importantly, out of opportunities that build equity. early-learning best practices, such as child care that prepares kids for school. our scholarship program demands quality. At the state, local and national levels, an evidence-based curriculum, well- As a first-year lawmaker in the Senate Scholarships can only be used at programs we have to do a better job to ensure that equipped learning environments, and in 2011, I began working with the that use kindergarten-readiness best all children enter kindergarten prepared opportunities for play that support business community on this issue. practices, as measured by our research- to succeed. The Minnesota model fast-developing young brains. Parents Our state’s business community driven Parent Aware rating system. provides a proven path forward. don’t merely want child care. They want was, and is still, very concerned about The results have been amazing. the kind of high-quality child care that Minnesota’s achievement gaps, which Privately funded, third-party evaluations Sen. Carla Nelson is chair of the Minnesota forms the foundations of education. are some of the worst in the nation. found that children in Parent Aware- Senate Taxes Committee and previously Taxpayers are demanding quality, too. Those gaps pose a threat to having the rated programs make significant gains served as chair of the E-12 Finance and Research from the Federal Reserve Bank kind of educated workforce needed to on kindergarten readiness measures: Policy Committee. She has been a member of Minneapolis shows that taxpayers can compete in the global economy. vocabulary, early math skills, social of the Minnesota Legislature since 2003. yield a return of up to $16 for every $1 After reviewing the best available competence and executive function, and Sen. Nelson is a graduate of CSG Midwest’s invested in helping low-income children research, business and civic leaders raised phonics. Low-income children make the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development. access quality early-learning programs. $20 million in private funds to identify biggest gains of all. However, economists stress that the an effective way to use early learning to Evaluations also highest returns are only available if address achievement gaps. showed that flexible the investment goes to high-quality From 2006 to 2011, the Minnesota scholarships helped programs that are successfully preparing Early Learning Foundation piloted and low-income families low-income children for kindergarten. vigorously evaluated early versions of access high-quality programs, and were very popular with SUBMISSIONS WELCOME providers and parents. The only problem This page is designed to be a forum for legislators and constitutional officers. The opinions with these Early expressed on this page do not reflect those of The Council of State Governments or the Midwestern Legislative Conference. Responses to any FirstPerson article are welcome, Learning Scholarships as are pieces written on other topics. For more information, contact Tim Anderson at is that there aren’t 630.925.1922 or [email protected]. enough of them, due to lack of state funding. Currently, 35,000

STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 9 CSG MIDWEST NEWS & EVENTS

7 Ways for NEw, and Returning, legislators to make the most of csg

The Council of State Governments advances work of states by providing services to lawmakers, other policy leaders

cross the Midwest, 232 people are serving in a state legislature for the first time. The CSG’s Midwestern Legislative Conference ACouncil of State Governments congratulates and welcomes all of these new public servants, and looks forward to helping them in the months and years ahead. CSG is the nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. Through its work together on common policy priorities while region-based structure, CSG fosters the exchange sharing ideas and best practices: This is the MLC’s of insights and ideas to help state officials and to current committee lineup: strengthen public policy. • Agriculture and Natural Resources, The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization • Criminal Justice and Public Safety, offers unparalleled regional, national and • Economic Development, international opportunities to network, develop • Education, leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving • Fiscal Affairs, partnerships. CSG’s mission is to champion • Health and Human Services, and excellence in state governments to advance the • Midwest-Canada Relations. common good. Appointments to these committees are made For first-year and veteran lawmakers alike, here by legislative leaders in individual states as well as Member of MLC A liate member of MLC are seven ways to make the most of CSG in 2021 MLC leaders. This year, too, the MLC has launched and beyond. two new working groups: one focusing on issues of social justice, a second on the continuance of legislative operations during situations such as a pandemic. GET INVOLVED IN CSG’S Please contact CSG Midwest director Mike GET CUSTOMIZED RESEARCH 1 MIDWESTERN LEGISLATIVE McCabe ([email protected]) if you’re interested in 6 ASSISTANCE ON PUBLIC CONFERENCE serving on one of these interstate committees. POLICY FROM CSG MIDWEST CSG also supports various national committees CSG’s binational, nonpartisan Midwestern and task forces. Throughout the year, CSG Midwest provides Legislative Conference includes all legislators individualized research assistance to legislators from 11 member states, as well as the Canadian and legislative staff. This research is coordinated by province of Saskatchewan. Three Canadian LEAD ON PUBLIC POLICIES CSG’s liaisons in each state. Please contact them for provinces also are affiliate members of the MLC 4 IMPORTANT TO STATES AND assistance. (see map). THE MIDWEST • Illinois — Mitch Arvidson, [email protected] The MLC is led by a four-officer team of state • Indiana — Ilene Grossman, [email protected] legislators as well as a bipartisan Executive How can U.S. states and Canadian provinces Committee of legislators from across the Midwest. better protect the Great Lakes? • Iowa — Ilene Grossman, [email protected] These leaders guide the work of CSG Midwest in What policies can help improve public safety, cut • Kansas — Laura Kliewer, [email protected] providing services and support to the region’s corrections costs and reduce rates of recidivism? • Michigan — Laura Kliewer, [email protected] lawmakers. When can interstate compacts be used to help states work together to solve common problems? • Minnesota — Mitch Arvidson, [email protected] These questions, along with evidence-based • Nebraska — Tim Anderson, [email protected] TAKE PART IN CSG’S policy responses, are the focus of CSG-led groups 2 IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL such as the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative • North Dakota — Laura Tomaka, [email protected] EVENTS IN 2021 Caucus (GLLC), the Justice Center and the National • Ohio — Laura Tomaka, [email protected] Center for Interstate Compacts. • South Dakota — Jon Davis, [email protected] From its inception in 1933, CSG has been CSG Midwest staffs the GLLC, as well as regional • Wisconsin— Jon Davis, [email protected] dedicated to helping states fulfill their roles as the groups to strengthen passenger rail and to plan for nation’s “laboratories of democracy.” With that in the safe shipment of radioactive waste through the mind, CSG regularly brings together legislators region. STAY UP TO DATE ON TRENDS and other leaders of state government to learn AND INNOVATIONS IN STATE from one another, as well as top national policy 7 GOVERNMENTS experts. BUILD YOUR LEADERSHIP, LEGISLATIVE SKILLS WITH For example, the MLC Annual Meeting is the 5 CSG’s regional and national publications keep only event of its kind designed by and for the HELP OF CSG lawmakers informed on key policy trends and Midwest’s state and provincial legislators. It is Hundreds of legislators from the Midwest are innovations in state government, as well as scheduled to be held this year on July 11-14 in alumni of CSG’s two leadership training programs: important institutional issues in state government. Rapid City, S.D. The CSG National Conference is scheduled to be held Dec. 1-4 in Santa Fe, New • the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership • This publication, Stateline Midwest, is produced Mexico. CSG also holds policy academies focused Development (BILLD), the only leadership- 11 times a year and focuses on key policies and on specific issue areas in state government. development program designed specifically for trends of interest to this region and its elected Throughout the year, too, CSG offers virtual Midwestern state legislators; and officials. sessions on public policy and professional • Toll Fellows, CSG’s national leadership • Capitol Ideas, CSG’s national magazine, is development; visit csgmidwest.org and csg.org to development program for state officials from all published five times a year and covers cutting- learn more. three branches of government. edge issues and forecasts policy trends in state Information on these programs, including how government. PARTICIPATE IN MLC to apply, is available at csg.org and csgmidwest.org. • “The Book of the States,” an annual COMMITTEES, OTHER INTERSTATE And through its Under the Dome initiative, the encyclopedia of essential information on state government, is a premier resource for 3 WORKING GROUPS MLC brings customized professional development and policy training to the region’s capitols. For policymakers and academic institutions Many of CSG Midwest’s events help support more information, please contact CSG Midwest’s throughout the nation. the work of seven binational, interstate policy Laura Tomaka ([email protected]) or Cindy CSG’s policy research also can be found at committees. These groups allow legislators to Andrews ([email protected]). csgmidwest.org, csg.org and csgjusticecenter.org.

The Council of State Governments was founded in 1933 as a national, nonpartisan organization to assist and advance state government. The headquarters office, in Lexington, Ky., is responsible for a variety of national programs and services, including research, reference publications, innovations transfer, suggested state legislation and interstate consulting services. The Midwestern Office supports several groups of state officials, including the Midwestern Legislative Conference, an association of all legislators representing 11 states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are MLC affiliate members.

10 STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 CSG MIDWEST’S BILLD PROGRAM

BILLD alumni notes: Q & A with BILLD Alums: What is your advice for Graduates serving as legislators in their first year of service? top caucus leaders ILLINOIS REP. TIM BUTLER | CLASS OF 2016 ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER Kansas Sen. Dinah Sykes (BILLD class of 2017) was elected “There are a million different issues which will come your way as a legislator. You in January to serve as minority leader of the Senate, making her the first new senator to have a lot of colleagues, many with backgrounds and knowledge different than hold this post in nearly a quarter yours. You can’t tackle all the issues. Find the issues you are passionate about, line century. Her predecessor had served up your committee assignments along those issues, and work hard on those things in this position since 1996. on which you know you can make a difference. Then lean on your colleagues with “I am humbled by the trust my expertise on other issues that you may not know as well.” colleagues have placed in me,” Sykes told CSG Midwest. “And I am grateful INDIANA REP. PHIL GIAQUINTA | CLASS OF 2009 to be working alongside them as we MINORITY LEADER face the challenges ahead. “ “I would remind them not to forget about their constituents back home. She said the caucus’s priorities will be on Medicaid Constituent services are just as important, if not more important, than your expansion, access to health care services such as legislative work to your constituents. I also tell new members not to put too much preventative screenings and mental health resources, and funding for public schools. pressure on themselves to master the legislative process in their first year. It took most veteran legislators several session to get to the point where they felt perfectly “I will continue to build on the relationships I have with comfortable with the legislative process.” Republicans, build relationships with the freshman class, and find areas where we can come together to pass good policy for the people of Kansas.” IOWA REP. ANN MEYER | CLASS OF 2019 “The best advice I received as a new legislator was to keep in contact with your Several other graduates of CSG Midwest’s Bowhay constituents. Schedule town halls at local libraries, do a weekly newsletter, and Institute for Legislative Leadership Development are serving this year as top caucus/legislative leaders. post at least a weekly video update from the Capitol to your social media. I get the best feedback from the videos; my constituents love being kept ‘in the loop’!” • Illinois Sen. Don Harmon (class of 2005): Senate president • Indiana Rep. Todd Huston (class of 2016): speaker of the House MINNESOTA REP. KURT DAUDT | CLASS OF 2011 • Minnesota Rep. Kurt Daudt (class of 2011): minority MINORITY LEADER leader “ The most successful new legislators are the ones who know what they’re • North Dakota Rep. Chet Pollert (class of 2001): passionate and knowledgeable about, and are willing to focus and dive in on those majority leader topics. The experience of being a new legislator is overwhelming, and you can’t try • Ohio Rep. Emilia Sykes (class of 2018): minority to bite off too much in your first term if you don’t know where all the bathrooms leader are in the building. Diving in on issues you care about will earn you respect from • South Dakota Rep. Jamie Smith (class of 2017): your colleagues on both sides, and you’ll have a chance to make a difference really minority leader quickly if you focus your energy on those things as you learn the others.” In addition, North Dakota Rep. Kim Koppelman (class of 1997) was selected to serve as speaker of the House for this legislative session. In this position, he is the presiding NORTH DAKOTA REP. SHANNON ROERS JONES | CLASS OF 2017 officer of the North Dakota House of Representatives. “Talk to people with whom you generally don’t agree. Develop relationships with people who are unlike you. When you understand who your colleagues are, and Please submit Alumni News to Laura Tomaka, CSG where they are coming from, you develop your common ground. For the most part, Midwest program manager for BILLD. She can be people have much more in common than not. When we can start our conversations reached at [email protected]. acknowledging the things that we don’t disagree on, resolving those issues that we disagree on seems like a more attainable task.”

SOUTH DAKOTA SEN. JIM BOLIN | CLASS OF 2012 BILLD News: legislators MAJORITY WHIP “Be patient and realize that the legislative process is very challenging and can can apply now for be daunting. You may have an idea you believe is great, but you must persuade others that they should support it. Many new legislators come with the idea that 2021 fellowship change will be quick and easy. The legislative process is perilous, and a bill with any controversy will often times be defeated. However, over time and with persuasion, a new idea may be approved. Persistence is a key quality.” Lawmakers in their first four years of service are encouraged to seek a 2021 fellowship to attend BILLD, the premier legislative leadership program in the Midwest. The appli- WISCONSIN SEN. JANIS RINGHAND | CLASS OF 2012 cation deadline is April 8. This year’s Bowhay Institute for ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER Legislative Leadership Development is scheduled to be held July 30-Aug. 3 in Minneapolis and include a mix of sessions “Listen, listen, listen! We are not elected to preach our political position, we are on leadership training, professional development and policy. elected to listen to our constituents and take positive action to make our state a Close to 900 legislators have graduated from the annual lead- better place for all to live in.” ership institute since it began in 1995. To learn more about the program and how to apply, please visit csgmidwest.org.

BILLD Steering Committee Officers | Co-Chairs: Nebraska Sen. Sara Howard and Minnesota Rep. Laurie Halverson | Co-Vice Chairs: Iowa Sen. Amy Sinclair and Indiana Rep. Holli Sullivan Through the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, or BILLD, CSG Midwest provides annual training on leadership and professional development for newer state and provincial legislators from this region. This page provides information related to the BILLD program, leadership development and legislative Through the leadership. the Bowhay CSG’s Institute Midwestern for Legislative Legislative Leadership Conference Development BILLD Steering , or BILLD, Committee CSG Midwest — a bipartisan provides groupannual of training state and on provincial leadership legislators and professional from the development for newer state and provincial legislators Midwestfrom this — region. oversees This the page program, provides including updates theon alumniannual ofselection the program, of BILLD as Fellows.well as information related to the BILLD program, leadership development and legislative leadership. The BILLD Steering Committee — a bipartisan group of state and provincial legislators from the Midwest — oversees the program, including the annual selection of BILLD Fellows.

STATELINE MIDWEST | JANUARY 2021 11 THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS | MIDWESTERN OFFICE CSG Events

CSG Midwestern Legislative Conference CSG Henry Toll Fellowship Program Virtual Events for Legislators August 20-24, 2021 | Lexington, KY Visit csgmidwest.org to find dates of upcoming webinars Contact: Kelley Arnold ~ [email protected] and view recordings of past webinars on public policy, 800.800.1910 | csg.org professional development and leadership training.

Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Midwestern Legislative Conference Caucus Annual Meeting Annual Meeting September 24-25, 2021 | Québec City, QC July 11-14, 2021 | Rapid City, South Dakota Contact: Lisa Janairo ~ [email protected] Contact: Cindy Andrews ~ [email protected] 630.925.1922 | greatlakeslegislators.org Great Lakes-St. Lawrence 630.925.1922 | csgmidwest.org Legislative Caucus

CSG National Conference Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership December 1-4, 2021 | Santa Fe, New Mexico Development Contact: Kelley Arnold ~ [email protected] July 30-August 3, 2021 | Minneapolis, Minnesota 800.800.1910 | csg.org Contact: Laura Tomaka ~ [email protected] 630.925.1922 | csgmidwest.org

Stateline Midwest is published 11 times a year by the NONPROFIT Midwestern Office of The Council of State Governments. ORGANIZATION Annual subscription rate: $60 U.S. POSTAGE PAID To order, call 630.925.1922 FOX VALLEY, IL PERMIT NO. 441 CSG Midwest Office Staff

Michael H. McCabe, Director Ilene K. Grossman, Assistant Director Tim Anderson, Publications Manager Lisa R. Janairo, Program Director Mitch Arvidson, Policy Analyst Laura Kliewer, Senior Policy Analyst Cindy Calo Andrews, Assistant Director Laura A. Tomaka, Senior Program Manager Jenny Chidlow, Office Manager Kathy Treland, Administrative Coordinator and Meeting Planner Jon Davis, Policy Analyst and Assistant Editor

January 2021

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