NGA Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations works to ensure that Governors’ views are represented in shaping federal policy by maintaining regular contact with congressional leaders and key administration officials, keeping up-to-date information on critical state–federal issues and coordinating state action.

We work closely with Governors’ Washington, D.C., office representatives, state-federal contacts and other state and local government organizations to maximize the effectiveness of NGA’s lobbying activities. Specifically, our staff serve as policy experts and liaisons to Congress and executive branch agencies and coordinate the work and policy activities of NGA committees.


Governors believe federal action should be limited to the powers expressly conveyed by the Constitution, to preserve state sovereignty in legislative and regulatory matters the Executive Committee has added the following bipartisan priorities:

  1. Enhancing emergency management;
  2. Streamlining permitting processes;
  3. Supporting flexibility and waiver opportunities and funding for state and territorial designed Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF;
  4. Ensuring the federal government meets its already committed obligations for federally funded projects across states, territories and Commonwealths.

Additional federal priorities have been developed by each of NGA’s Governor-led Task Forces and can be found on the Task Force pages below. The complete list of 2025 federal priorities can be found here.


NGA Task Forces & Council of Governors

Staff

  • Tiffany Waddell—Director of Government Relations
  • Renee Antoine—Legislative Director
  • Tim Carlton—Legislative Director
  • Richard Lukas—Legislative Director
  • Courtney Brinley—Legislative Associate
  • Abigail Smith Judstra—Legislative Associate
  • Mackenzi Matthews—Legislative Associate

Advocacy Communications Library

FirstNet Hearing Letter

FirstNet Hearing Letter

The Honorable Greg Walden Chairman Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives Washington, ...
President Obama, 2013 NGA Winter Meeting Follow-Up

President Obama, 2013 NGA Winter Meeting Follow-Up

President Barack Obama The White House Washington, DC 20201 Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the nation’s governors, thank you ...
Congressional Leadership on Sequestration

Congressional Leadership on Sequestration

The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Minority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, ...
Testimony - State Leadership and Innovation in Disability Employment

Testimony – State Leadership and Innovation in Disability Employment

Testimony Of The Honorable Jack Markell Governor of Delaware Submitted to the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, ...
ESEA Reauthorization

ESEA Reauthorization

The Honorable Tom Harkin Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 428 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC ...
Hurricane Sandy Aid

Hurricane Sandy Aid

The Honorable John Boehner Speaker of the House U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Minority ...
Air Force Commission

Air Force Commission

The President The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: The 2013 National Defense Authorization Act created an independent ...
Hearing Statement - Marketplace Fairness Act

Hearing Statement – Marketplace Fairness Act

The nation’s governors call on Congress to help states modernize sales tax systems and encourage greater marketplace competition by taking ...
Testimony - The Marketplace Equity Act of 2011

Testimony – The Marketplace Equity Act of 2011

By Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Conyers and members of the committee, I am grateful to be ...
Testimony - FY 2013 Budget Air Force Structure Reductions

Testimony – FY 2013 Budget Air Force Structure Reductions

Chairman Forbes, Ranking Member Bordallo, distinguished members of the Subcommittee, my name is Terry Branstad, Governor of the State of ...
Testimony - Homeland Security Grant Reform

Testimony – Homeland Security Grant Reform

Chairman Bilirakis, Ranking Member Richardson, distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today ...
Hearing Statement - Tax Reform - State and Local Tax and Fiscal policy

Hearing Statement – Tax Reform – State and Local Tax and Fiscal policy

Chairman Baucus, Ranking Member Hatch, and members of the committee, the nation’s governors appreciate your interest in considering how federal ...
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