Economic Development and Revitalization Task Force

Federal Priorities

• Accelerating infrastructure project delivery and streamlining permitting, while establishing Governors’ priorities for the next surface transportation reauthorization;
• Advancing technology innovation and securing energy resilience to strengthen the country’s economy and national security;
• Working with Congress on the most impactful programs for states and territories contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the CHIPS and Science Act;
• Investing in state and territorial efforts to protect water resources and clean water.
• Ensuring Governors have a voice as Congress considers tax reform and international trade agreements.

Governors Advocate for Bipartisan Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill

On June 16, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Co-Chairs of NGA’s Economic Development and Revitalization Task Force, sent a letter to Congressional leaders detailing state and territory transportation priorities and urging passage of a bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill that upholds a strong state-federal-territorial partnership. The Governors write in part: “Governors have consistently worked closely with Congress on surface transportation and have been at the forefront of implementing these investments. We have seen the value of federal transportation funding in our communities and understand how additional Congressional action could address continued challenges with project delivery. States and territories are also responsible for setting transportation performance management standards for safety, bridge condition, pavement condition, and travel time. We rely on federal support and creative policymaking at all levels to achieve these critical standards of safety and reliability that save lives, support local economies, and protect our national security. We applaud Congress’s dedication to reauthorizing America’s surface transportation programs ahead of their expiration next year and look forward to sharing our perspectives throughout the process.”

On July 16, on behalf of the National Governors Association, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works urging policymakers to maintain robust funding, ensure flexibility for states, and take action to ensure efficiency, certainty and transparency in the permitting process. Watch the hearing.

Governors Call for Energy Permitting Reform

At the 2025 Winter Meeting Economic Development and Revitalization Task Force Co-Chairs Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster joined Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for a discussion on streamlining the permitting process for vital infrastructure projects.