Shawntaye Hopkins

Author Articles

Study Highlights Little State Oversight of Educational Services Provided to Incarcerated Youth

By
CSG Justice Center
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Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 03:56 PM

A first-of-its-kind report released today by The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center found that most incarcerated youth do not have access to the same educational services as their peers in the community, and little accountability exists to ensure educational standards are met in lock-up. The report, “Locked Out: Improving Educational and Vocational Outcomes for Incarcerated Youth,” reveals that despite spending between $100,000 to $300,000 per incarcerated child in secure facilities, only 13 states provide all incarcerated youth with access to the same types of educational services that students have in the community. Meanwhile, only nine states offer community-equivalent vocational services to all kids in lock-up.

Former Regulatory Commissioners Weigh In on Rooftop Solar

By
Shawntaye Hopkins
|
Monday, October 12, 2015 at 01:25 PM

During a recent CSG eCademy webcast, “Pricing Rooftop Solar: Sustainability, Fairness & Promoting Productivity,” two former regulatory commissioners discussed the process used to set utility rates and how to ensure cost fairness and affordability while enabling the growth of distributed generation.

Pricing Rooftop Solar: Sustainability, Fairness & Promoting Productivity

By
Liz Edmondson
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Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at 03:09 PM

Two former regulatory commissioners discuss how electric rates are determined, the impact of policies promoting distributed generation, and how to design public policies to enable the growth of distributed generation while ensuring electric rates are fair and affordable for all electric customers.

Experts Discuss Voting Tools That Reach Overseas

By
Shawntaye Hopkins
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Monday, September 28, 2015 at 02:54 PM

During a recent eCademy webcast, “Policy Recommendations to Improve Military and Overseas Voting,” members of The Council of State Governments’ Overseas Voting Initiative Policy Working Group discussed tools that improve the voting process for U.S. military members and civilians who are overseas.

CSG Looks Back as it Moves Forward

By
Shawntaye Hopkins
|
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 09:58 AM

On Aug. 31, The Council of State Governments rededicated its national headquarters in Lexington, Ky., after an extensive, $5.5 million renovation to the building where CSG got its start in the Bluegrass State. CSG’s history, however, and the council’s commitment to championing excellence in state governments, dates back even further.

The Servant Leader in the 21st Century

By
Shawntaye Hopkins
|
Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 09:36 AM

At the George C. Marshall Foundation, we spend a lot of time thinking about Marshall. Our latest endeavor is the Marshall Legacy Series, which explores the distinct and discreet aspects of Marshall’s long career to reveal those salient characteristics that served him so well. Its tagline sums up his genius and his achievements: Visionary in War and in Peace. We define these characteristics in five words.

Building a Better Workforce

By
Shawntaye Hopkins
|
Monday, August 31, 2015 at 12:00 AM

The Council of State Governments released a report last week that outlines recommendations for state-level policies that help ensure students are prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce. The report, "A Framework for State Policymakers: Developing Pathways to Ensure a Skilled Workforce for State Prosperity," is the brainchild of CSG's 2014 national leaders who sought to help states prepare today's students for the jobs of tomorrow. Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, who served as CSG's 2014 national chair, led the State Pathways to Prosperity initiative, a multi-year effort to identify obstacles—and alternative pathways—to prosperity for many Americans.

HIV Outbreak Triggers Substance Abuse Policy Changes

By
Shawntaye Hopkins
|
Monday, August 24, 2015 at 12:00 AM

Austin, Ind., a city of about 4,200 people in Scott County, Ind., off Interstate 65, has been the epicenter of an HIV outbreak, said Maureen Hayden, statehouse bureau chief for CNHI Indiana Newspapers. HIV has spread among intravenous drug users and more than 170 cases have now been reported. Hayden, a reporter who continues to cover the outbreak in southeast Indiana, was one of three presenters who discussed Indiana’s situation and substance abuse treatment options during a recent CSG eCademy webcast, “Harm Reduction: Needle-Borne Disease and Substance Abuse.”

Trying Times Ahead for Federal, State Government Relations

By
Shawntaye Hopkins
|
Monday, August 17, 2015 at 01:26 PM

Federal and state government relations are complicated, and tougher times may be ahead for state legislators as funding for services remains scarce. Three experts discussed the duties, powers and limitations of state governments during a recent CSG eCademy webcast, “How Does the Power Flow in Legislative Branch Federalism?” The webcast was the second in a series of three civics education webinars about the state of federalism.

Making the Military Vote Count

By
Kamanzi Kalisa
|
Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 09:54 AM

It can be difficult for a member of the military or their family to vote while serving overseas. Luckily, both the federal and state governments are putting programs in place to help ensure military members’ voices are heard at the ballot box.

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