Ballweg Nominated To Lead Nonpartisan Groups Of US State Governments

Wisconsin Rep. Joan Ballweg has been chosen by a bipartisan group of her legislative peers from the Midwest to join the national leadership team of The Council of State Governments, the nation’s only organization serving all three branches of government.

CSG’s Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) Executive Committee selected Rep. Ballweg at its July 9 meeting in Des Moines, Iowa.

“We are excited to have our colleague, Rep. Joan Ballweg of Wisconsin, represent the Midwest region on the national level,” says Iowa Sen. Janet Petersen, current chair of the MLC. “Rep. Ballweg knows the importance of bringing legislators together in a nonpartisan way to learn from each other and work on initiatives that advance the common good.”

A member of the Wisconsin Assembly since 2005, Rep. Ballweg serves as co-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, is a founder and co-chair of the Wisconsin Legislative Children’s Caucus, and has long been a legislative leader on issues ranging from agriculture and the economy to higher education and homeland security.

“CSG stands to benefit greatly with Rep. Ballweg on the national leadership team,” said Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. “She’s a proven leader who has extensive legislative knowledge and is committed to bipartisan collaboration.”

In 2016, she served as chair of the MLC and helped raise awareness among the Midwest’s legislators about state policies to enhance child well-being, strengthen families and improve long-term outcomes.

CSG’s national Executive Committee will consider Rep. Ballweg’s nomination in December. If this nomination is approved, she would become CSG vice chair in 2018 and be in line to be CSG chair-elect in 2019 and CSG chair in 2020.

Headquartered in Lexington, Ky., and founded in 1933, CSG fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. The region-based organization offers unparalleled opportunities for state legislators and other officials to develop leadership skills, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.

CSG’s Midwestern Office provides staff support to the MLC, which includes all legislators from 11 states as well as members of the legislative assemblies from four affiliate provinces.