Education and Workforce
The bipartisan, interstate and binational Midwestern Legislative Conference Education & Workforce Committee provides a forum for state and provincial legislators to exchange information and ideas on a wide range of policy issues, particularly those identified by the committee’s legislative officers and members. Activities include ongoing policy research, committee-sponsored webinars for legislators and legislative staff, and in-person meetings.
The committee is made up of legislators from the states and provinces that are part of CSG’s Midwestern Legislative Conference. The committee’s composition changes every biennium, with appointments made by legislative appointing authorities and leaders of the MLC. The CSG Midwest staff liaison to the committee is Derek Cantù.
Officers for the 2025-’26 biennium are Nebraska Sen. Jana Hughes and Minnesota Rep. Bernie Perryman, co-chairs; and Kansas Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, vice chair.
The MLC Education and Workforce Committee will next meet in person on Aug. 30 in conjunction with the 2026 MLC Annual Meeting in Saint Paul, Minn.
Agenda for committee meeting and related sessions in Saint Paul
In conjunction with the 80th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC), the MLC Education &…
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- 2025-2026 Biennium
- 2023-2024 Biennium
The discussion on what constitutes effective statewide school funding has evolved greatly in recent years. This webinar explored the varying approaches currently employed by states as well as recent discussions on potential models of reform. Designed for legislators and legislative staff, and open to all, this learning opportunity was co-hosted by the Midwestern Legislative Conference Education & Workforce Committee and Fiscal Affairs Forum.
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This webinar explored the potential of state policies and investments that provide for an "upstream" approach to youth mental health and suicide prevention. This approach focuses on community-based interventions before the point of crisis, with the goals of creating safe environments and a sense of belonging for young people and preventing youth suicide.
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The result of a partnership between The Council of State Governments' Midwestern Legislative Conference and the AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues, this webinar featured insights from leading researchers on a critical issue for state policymakers — the impacts of technologies such as smart phones and generative AI on the well-being of young people.
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In this webinar, led by two interstate legislative groups of CSG's Midwestern Legislative Conference, participants explored a mix of school-based strategies and state policies to keep schools and students safe — a paramount concern for today's policy leaders.
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In conjunction with the 79th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC), the MLC Education & Workforce Committee will hold its 2025 Meeting on Sunday, July 27, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
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