NCSL Legislative Video Resource Center

We hear so often that a program or policy is "evidence-based"—sometimes to justify support for a position or funded program. Would it help to know where to look for credible evidence—or what questions to ask to test whether something is really evidence-based? Learn how to sort out what evidence really means and how it can help make policy and budget decisions that are more likely to achieve policymakers’ desired outcomes. Speakers include Kristine Goodwin, NCSL, David Anderson, Arnold Ventures, and Alyssa Doom, The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Immigration remains a high-profile topic nationally and in state legislatures. Over the last 10 years, state legislators have enacted an average of 153 laws per year, addressing the 2020 census, occupational licensing, driver’s licenses, sanctuary policies and enforcement, and creating immigration offices or task forces. Learn about state policies on immigration. Speakers include Senator Mo Denis (D-Nev.) and Senator John McCollister (R-Neb.).

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The measure includes a critical priority for states and territories, a $1 billion over 4 years cybersecurity grant program designed to help state, local, tribal and territorial entities improve they cyber posture.

State coalition partners – the National Governors Association (NGA), the Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC), the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) – discussed questions and concerns on the new grant in order to help inform the implementation program.