register_post_type sort order by title by default

You could force the order via pre_get_posts:

function wpa_order_states( $query ){
    if( !is_admin() )
        return;

    $screen = get_current_screen();
    if( 'edit' == $screen->base
    && 'states' == $screen->post_type
    && !isset( $_GET['orderby'] ) ){
        $query->set( 'orderby', 'title' );
        $query->set( 'order', 'ASC' );
    }
}
add_action( 'pre_get_posts', 'wpa_order_states' );