Updates from the NGA Membership Team for April 2024. For more about the programs below and a list of upcoming events please email us at: membership@nga.org.
NGA Welcomes Governors’ Staffers to Utah
NGA Holds Convening for Governors’ Schedulers, Executive Assistants, Residence Managers and First Spouses’ Staff
This year, NGA’s Membership team has held multiple meetings and events designed to support Governors’ offices and their staff members. The meetings provide a robust networking forum and offer educational opportunities to support Governors’ staff members in their work helping Governors and First Spouses govern, further policy priorities and serve the residents of their states and territories.
The meeting offered the Governors’ staff members who serve in these roles the opportunity to share best practices with their colleagues from other states.
During the convening, NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and First Lady Abby Cox welcomed the group to the Utah Governor’s Mansion. Governor and Mrs. Cox expressed appreciation for the group’s dedication to public service and stressed that Governors and First Spouses could not serve the people in their states and territories without the dedicated service and hard work of Governors’ schedulers, executive assistants, residence managers and first spouses’ staff members.
Coinciding with the convening for Governors’ staff, NGA also hosted its first retreat for First Spouses.
NGA thanks Governor and Mrs. Cox and their staff members for their considerable hospitality. NGA also thanks the First Spouses and Governors’ staff members who participated in the retreat and convening.
Communications Spotlight
NGA Releases New Disagree Better Videos
NGA continues to release and promote videos Governors have recorded to highlight NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s Chair’s Initiative: Disagree Better.
The latest videos feature NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Maryland Governor Wes Moore as well as Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver.
Research shows videos of this nature measurably reduce partisanship. Governor Cox has highlighted this research at Disagree Better events, and more details about this research can be found on NGA’s website.
NGA’s YouTube account features a channel where all of the Governors’ Disagree Better videos that have been released so far can be found.
NGA also created the Disagree Better Video Toolkit to help Governors’ offices and other stakeholders share the videos Governors have recorded to help promote the Disagree Better initiative.
Government Relations
NGA Leadership Issues Statement on National Guard
NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Vice Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis released a statement to ensure Governors retain the authority to control the National Guard personnel as laid out in United States Code (U.S.C.) Title 32, Section 104.
The statement comes in response to a Department of Defense proposal to transfer of Air National Guard (ANG) space units into the Space Force. The proposal would require Congress to override existing law that mandates a Governor’s approval for changes to a Guard unit.
Historically, Title 10 and Title 32 of U.S.C. have protected Gubernatorial authority of the ANG for more than 100 years. Governors operate with full authority as Commanders in Chief of ANG within their jurisdiction.
The Governors’ statement stresses that Congress should not consider any legislation that threatens Title 10 or Title 32 of U.S.C., noting Governors should maintain full authority as Commander in Chief of National Guard Assets.
The full statement can be read here.
NGA Leads Congressional Briefing
This month, NGA’s Economic Development and Revitalization Task Force and the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) hosted a Congressional briefing to educate Congressional staff, Administration officials and other stakeholders on the environmental priorities of states and territories.
The briefing featured Jordan Marsh, Director of Federal Affairs for South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster; Jim McCleskey, Washington Representative for North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper; and Karen Kudelko, Senior Deputy Director of Federal Affairs for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The panel highlighted the Task Force’s 2024 federal priorities, specifically safeguarding water resources by protecting the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs), prioritizing the needs of states and territories in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2024 reauthorization, and addressing the threats of forever chemicals (PFAS).
Watch the briefing, linked below, and here.
Center for Best Practices – Vice Chair’s Corner
NGA’s Vice Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis leads the Center for Best Practices.
NGA, NLC Kicked Off EV Workforce Initiative
NGA and the National League of Cities (NLC) are partnering on a new project to help cities and states prepare workers for job opportunities generated by the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure.
Earlier this month, the collaborative’s work kicked off in Washington, D.C., with a convening that brought together government, industry, postsecondary and workforce leaders to identify key opportunities, challenges and resources to advance the goals of the EV Workforce Collaborative.
Learn more about the Collaborative’s goals here.
Governors Continue to Use Emergency Powers to Address the Drug Overdose Epidemic
NGA released a new publication detailing examples of ways Governors are using emergency powers to address the drug overdose epidemic.
Read the publication here.
Visit NGA’s webpage on Substance Use Disorder and Addiction to learn more about work states and territories are leading to address the drug overdose epidemic and substance use disorders.
NGA Marks National Public Health Week
In recognition of the April 1-7 observance of National Public Health Week 2024, NGA released a new written piece, Governors’ Health Priorities in 2024 State of the State Addresses, to unpack some of the health-related policies Governors have highlighted in their 2024 State of the State addresses.
Policies highlighted in Governors’ State of the State addresses have included: expanding behavioral health services and supports, investing in public health infrastructure, developing policy to improve maternal and child health outcomes, bolstering the healthcare workforce and expanding access to needed care, especially in rural and underserved communities.
NGA Releases Afterschool & Summer Learning Webinar
NGA’s Center for Best Practices K-12 Education team released a new webinar, Strategies for Supporting Effective Afterschool & Summer Learning & Enrichment Strategies, as part of the webinar series State Strategies for Address K-12 Student Needs.
In the episode, Aaron Dworkin, Chief Executive Officer of National Summer Learning Association, and Jodi Grant, Executive Director of Afterschool Alliance, share effective Governor and state strategies for promoting high quality afterschool and summer learning and enrichment programs in their state.
The webinar follows NGA’s previous webinar Lessons Learned from Afterschool and Summer Learning Enrichment in 2021.
NGA Releases Series of Maternal and Child Health Papers
As a continuation of the NGA Center for Best Practices’ maternal and child health work (MCH), NGA has released a series of papers recounting innovative strategies used to address the impacts of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on MCH populations.
Each paper aims to highlight strategies Governors and policy leaders have employed to address issues related to:
- · Sustaining Equitable Community Supports
- · Behavioral Health
- · Health and Human Services Workforce
- · Childcare and COVID-19
- · COVID-19 Response and Recovery
Governors Highlight AI Initiatives in State of the State Addresses
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a tremendous opportunity to improve society. But, as with any new technology, AI also has potential drawbacks. In the absence of federal regulation, Governors are doing their part to mitigate risks and maximize benefits.
In their 2024 State of the State Addresses, a number of Governors highlighted work at the state level to address the opportunities and challenges presented by AI. Read more here.
NGA Shares Resources from Recent SNAP Briefing
NGA recently held a briefing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
During the briefing, Associate Administrator of SNAP Cathy Buhrig provided an overview on the status of SNAP and opportunities for states and territories to request technical assistance.
Additional resources:
NGA Releases Publication, Video on Recent Webinar about Manufacturing Support Strategies
NGA released the publication Weaving State & Federal Manufacturing Support Strategies Through Regional Consortia.
The publication provides insights into a webinar NGA recently co-hosted with the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative about ways Governors can incorporate practices employed by regional manufacturing consortia that have federal “designations” to strengthen manufacturing ecosystems.
In Memoriam
Remembering Governor Brennan
NGA is saddened to share former Maine Governor Joseph E. Brennan recently passed away.
NGA extends our condolences to the Governor’s family, friends and the people of Maine.
Read more about Governor Brennan in a statement Maine Governor Janet Mills issued to honor his service.
April in Focus
NGA routinely shares photos of Governors at work. A sampling of this past month’s photo highlights follows.
Top Row (L to R):
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker donated blood.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landy met with Canadian representatives.
Maine Governor Janet Mills greeted veterans at the Travis Mills Foundation Vietnam-Era Veterans Breakfast.
Middle Row (L to R):
Delaware Governor John Carney held an event to mark Autism Acceptance and Inclusion Month.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee met with a law enforcement officer.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu participated in a fireside chat at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.
Bottom Row (L to R):
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont attended a basketball game.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen attended a hockey game.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed legislation to help ensure students are reading by grade level.
Updates from the NGA Membership Team for May 2024. For more about the programs below and a list of upcoming events please email us at: membership@nga.org.
May Spotlight
Nation’s Governors Call for Discontinuation of Legislative proposals Denying Governor Authority over National Guard
Last week, NGA facilitated a Governor-level briefing where Governors spoke directly with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to reiterate concerns with Legislative Proposal 480 (LP 480) which would federalize U.S. National Guard units into the U.S. Space Force and give the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force the sole discretion to move airmen or eliminate their units.
NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Vice Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis released this statement summarizing the call, emphasizing that the Governors of all 55 states and territories are united in opposition to the proposal and have serious concerns about the Pentagon’s failure to comply with established legal process requiring consultation and approval from Governors on all National Guard deployment matters.
Last week’s briefing follows a letter Governors sent to the Secretary of Defense calling for the immediate discontinuation of LP480. NGA’s press release provides more details about the Governors’ letter.
The ten Governors who serve on the federally appointed Council of Governors also issued a letter opposing the policy.
Last week, Governors Cox and Polis held a virtual press conference with more than 30 members of the media to field questions regarding Governors’ position on this issue.
Disagree Better
Governors Cox, Lee Lead Disagree Better Event in Nashville
Country Musician Brad Paisley Joins Governors at NGA Meeting
This week, NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee held a meeting in Nashville in support of Governor Cox’s NGA Chair’s Initiative: Disagree Better. Centered on the theme of building dialogue skills and fostering positive contact, the event featured panel discussions with bipartisan experts and a service project. Country music superstar Brad Paisley also participated in the meeting to help more Americans learn about the initiative.
Governors Lujan Grisham, Gordon Share Disagree Better Video
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon released a video to help further the work of Governor Cox’s Disagree Better initiative. In the video, Governors Grisham and Gordon remind Americans that disagreeing better is one of the country’s oldest, most cherished traditions. Watch the video here.
Governors Cox, Moore Write Op-Ed Highlighting Volunteering and Service as Keys to Healing Divides
NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Maryland Governor Wes Moore wrote an op-ed to highlight how “volunteering and service are keys to healing divides.” Both Governors have been leading initiatives to foster volunteer and service opportunities in their states. NGA’s service playbook outlines policy options related to service-to-career pathways. NGA also held a meeting with Governor Moore on this topic and released a new publication on service-to-career pathways.
NGA Spring Reception
NGA Welcomes Governors’ Staff to Spring Reception
NGA thanks all of the Governors’ staff members who attended last week’s annual NGA spring reception. NGA also thanks the American Bankers Association (ABA) for hosting the reception. At the event, NGA’s Executive Director Bill McBride and ABA’s Chief Policy Officer Naomi Camper (pictured) spoke to attendees, expressing appreciation for their commitment to state service.
Communications
Governors Invited to Promote Student Contest to Mark America’s 250th Birthday
Governors’ offices have been asked to help America250 spread the word about the nationwide America’s Field Trip contest students in grades 3-12 can enter to help celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
This toolkit contains suggested language and other ideas for ways Governors can help raise awareness about the contest.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte recently shared a video message to help raise awareness about the contest.
Click here to watch Governor Gianforte’s message.
Government Relations
NGA Leadership Urges Congress to Pass Legislation to Support U.S. Allies
Last month, NGA leadership issued a statement calling on Congress to come together and pass legislation to support America’s national security. In the statement, NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and NGA Vice Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis emphasized that “the supplemental bills should be a bipartisan effort that prioritizes national security amidst the growing threats to the United States.” The full statement can be read here.
Governors Little, Bryan Send Letter to Congress
Idaho Governor Brad Little and U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., co-chairs of NGA’s Education, Workforce and Community Investment Task Force, sent a letter to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees noting Governors’ priorities as the committees continue to craft and consider the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bills. Read the letter here.
Public Health and Disaster Response Task Force Holds Congressional Briefing
Last week, the NGA Public Health and Disaster Response Task Force hosted a congressional briefing in Washington, D.C. The briefing focused on building readiness and resiliency to combat disasters and emerging threats including those related to cyber, health, National Guard and homeland security.
Center for Best Practices
Governors Support Mental Health Awareness Month
In recognition of the May observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, NGA released a new publication exploring some of the actions Governors are taking to mark Mental Health Awareness Month.
Additionally, NGA’s recent publication Governors Prioritize Behavioral Health In 2024 State of the State Addresses provides an overview of many of the behavioral health priorities and policies Governors highlighted in this year’s State of the State or Territory addresses.
NGA Releases New Publication on the Emerging Field of Behavioral Health Paraprofessionals
As states move from filling the behavioral health workforce mainly with professionals who have a significant amount of post-secondary education to creating opportunities for behavioral health support among professionals with more accessible levels of schooling, NGA released a new publication to help states with this work.
Governors are Addressing FAFSA Challenges
NGA released a new publication detailing some of the actions Governors have been implementing to help students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing the FAFSA is the first step a student must take to determine their eligibility for numerous scholarship programs.
New K-12 Education Resources for Governors’ Offices
INGA’s K-12 Education Team launched a new webpage that provides an overview of NGA’s technical assistance support for a cohort of nine Governors’ offices working to address students’ academic and mental health and well-being needs through the 2023-2024 Academic Supports and Student and School Staff Well-Being Project. The nine states include Alabama, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wyoming.
NGA Leads Skills Based Strategies National Meeting
NGA recently held a three-day Skills Based Strategies national convening in Washington, D.C. The meeting built on the work NGA has been leading with support and partnership from Walmart to focus on skills-based hiring in the public sector. Learn more here.
State Actions to Address Human Trafficking
NGA recently hosted its monthly briefing for the Criminal Justice Policy Advisors network. The briefing focused on state actions to address human trafficking, including executive actions, taskforces and legislative solutions. A full recap of the briefing is available here.
New Webinar on Fostering Entrepreneurship
Watch NGA’s new webinar on state models for fostering entrepreneurship. The webinar features details about the work Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro are leading to support entrepreneurs.
NGA to Start Child Care Working Group
NGA’s Children and Families team is convening a child care working group for states and territories to engage in peer-to-peer learning. Offices interested in joining the working group are asked to complete this form.
NGA Holds Meeting with Governors’ Infrastructure Coordinators
NGA recently hosted its Northeast Regional Project Delivery Workshop in Philadelphia in partnership with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s office. The convening brought together many officials, including Governors’ Infrastructure Coordinators and other advisors from Northeast states, to discuss infrastructure project delivery and coordination challenges facing these states. A summary of the meeting can be found here.
NGA also released an overview of the infrastructure meeting the Kansas Infrastructure Hub recently hosted.
In Memoriam
Remembering Governors Pryor and Graham
NGA is saddened to share former Arkansas Governor David Pryor (pictured below left) and Florida Governor Bob Graham (pictured below right) recently passed away. NGA extends our condolences to the Governors’ families, friends and constituents.
Monthly Member Update
Governor McKee Highlights Work to Reduce Absenteeism
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee (pictured) held an event in Providence to celebrate the work Rhode Island has been doing to increase student attendance rates. Governor McKee has been leading several policy initiatives to decrease absenteeism, including the #AttendanceMattersRI video campaign to promote good attendance. Watch Governor McKee’s video here.
May in Photos
NGA routinely shares photos of Governors at work. A sampling of this past month’s photo highlights follows.
