At a recent forum for NCSL Foundation members in Washington, D.C., Kate Blackman and Natalie Wood, NCSL vice presidents of state research and policy, shared their forecasts for key issues likely to dominate the 2025 legislative sessions.

From fiscal challenges to tech innovations and workforce dynamics, the legislative issues dominating state discussions are also setting the stage for federal priorities. As 2025 approaches, these topics will likely shape the national agenda....

Ryan Nesselrodt is a fellow with the West Virginia Science and Technology Policy Fellowship, a program that provides rigorous, nonpartisan policy research for members of the West Virginia Legislature.

About 1,000 new lawmakers were elected in November’s election and will be joining their legislatures in the new year. Every legislature is different, of course, but for this episode we asked two veteran legislators to offer a little advice...

NCSL is joined by the National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Council of State Governments and International City/County Council Management Association in strongly recommending passage of a...

As many legislative staff members gear up for the 2025 session, planning for self-care can be just as important as preparing for work. Learn about self-care strategies in this NCSL Base Camp session.

Buying a house can break the bank, and new buyers can struggle to scrape together a down payment. This NCSL Base Camp session covered the latest state approaches to help first-timers make their dreams of homeownership come true.

In this issue of Capitol to Capitol New Report on AI in Government, Extension of Telemedicine Flexibilities, and more.

Beth Reiley is a principal legislative analyst in Oregon’s Legislative Policy and Research Office.

Brain scientist John Medina says boosting your “intellectual humility”—a willingness to accept that your beliefs and opinions may occasionally need updating—can boost your memory and help you manage conflict.

Seventy-two percent of high school teachers report cellphone distractions as a significant problem in their classrooms, according to a June 2024 survey from Pew Research. And while 10 states have laws or policies regarding cellphones in K-12...

The Nov. 5 election reduced the number of states where one party has a trifecta—controlling both chambers in the legislature as well as the governor’s seat—and added two where neither party will dominate, NCSL elections experts...

NCSL sent congressional leadership policy priorities for the remainder of the 118th Congress and the final 2025 fiscal year appropriations package.  NCSL priorities include: Farm Bill reauthorization, Supplemental Appropriations for...

In this issue: ASLCS award winners, Reports from Associate Exchange Program participants, LSMI and CATS – and NCSL’s 50th Anniversary. 

In this issue of Capitol to Capitol NCSL Supports Reauthorization of Second Chance Act, CFPB Reports on Federal and State Privacy Protections for Consumer Financial Data, and more.

Sarah Maher is a fellow with the Idaho Science and Technology Fellowship, a nonpartisan program that provides outstanding scientists, social scientists and engineers the opportunity to learn firsthand about policymaking through a yearlong...

Massive wildfires in the US. have caused widespread damage in recent decades. On this episode we’re joined by a utility executive and a state legislator to discuss the value of wildfire mitigation plans and how legislators can use them to...

In this issue: Profiles of the new principal clerks and secretaries, news from the Spring Business Meeting in New Orleans and a report on the Illinois Capitol’s facelift.

In this issue: Profiles of the new principal clerks and secretaries, news from the Spring Business Meeting in New Orleans and a report on the Illinois Capitol’s facelift.

Together with the National Governors Association, Council of State Governments, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the International City/County Management Association, NCSL...

What key issues will shape the 2025 legislative sessions? What policy trends might carry forward from 2024? What changes could states see as the new legislative session starts in January?

In their 2024 legislative sessions, state lawmakers continued their efforts to integrate nondegree credential options into their larger postsecondary and career-training ecosystems.

This letter urges Congress to pass the Disaster Management Cost Modernization Act, which would enable states to consolidate management functions and utilize management costs across all open disasters.

This letter urges Congress to reauthorize the Second Chance Act, which provides critical reentry grant programs and enhances services and supports for housing, childcare, career training, and treatment for substance use disorders.