NGA Center for Best Practices
NGA Center for Best Practices teams develop innovative solutions to today’s most pressing public policy challenges. The NGA Center is the only research and development firm that directly serves the nation’s Governors.
Latest
Good Jobs, Strong States: How Governors Are Building Opportunity in 2026
Workforce and economic development are at the top of Governors’ agendas in 2026. Governors are making investments to attract and expand businesses in key sectors, increasing education and training opportunities ...
Local, State Coalition Presses Congress for Urgent SNAP Fix
Officials on the frontlines of SNAP benefits administration across the nation are warning Congress about a little-known legislative provision with a huge impact on state budgets – an impact supercharged ...
State Leadership: Governors Work to Sustain Food Assistance
Governors and their teams stepped up to provide crucial support and safeguard the well-being of their communities during the 43 days of the 2025 federal shutdown. The shutdown demonstrated Governors’ ...
Reigniting the American Dream
Every American should have the opportunity to build a life of purpose, to strengthen their community, and to help shape a nation defined not only by prosperity, but by potential realized. Yet across our very diverse states, too many people have lost faith in this opportunity. They’ve faced too many obstacles, encountered too many closed doors, and given up the hope of a brighter future. We can do better.
Reigniting the American Dream is more than an initiative. It’s an invitation for every U.S. governor to take action.
Program Areas
Center for Best Practices Library
Governor Actions to Address PPE and Ventilator Shortages
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in global demand for critical personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment, ...
Gubernatorial Considerations for Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Implementation
Pandemics, emergencies, and other catastrophic events require governors and state and territory leaders to consider how they will continue to ...
Flexibilities Under CCDBG/CCDF, CARES Act Supports for Small Businesses and Child Care
During the webinar, state leaders from the Parents and Children Thriving Together: Two-Generation State Policy Network (PACTT Network) shared how ...
Early Release from Incarceration in Response to COVID-19
Correctional institutions are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks. As part of state and local COVID-19 response efforts, officials are taking ...
Implementing Effective Social Distancing Policies to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19
As COVID-19 is rapidly spreading throughout communities in the United States, policies promoting social distancing have been a critical strategy ...
Gubernatorial Strategies for Health Care Workforce and Facility Capacity
COVID-19 is posing a serious threat to the nation’s health care workforce. As cases continue to rise, there will be ...
Rural Energy Affordability Solutions
Rural households typically spend 40 percent more on energy bills than urban households (ACEEE). States are working to reduce rural ...
Postsecondary Strategies for COVID-19
Postsecondary education in states is a complicated ecosystem that connects oversight of adult basic education, workforce training programs, veterans’ programs, ...
COVID-19 Responses in the Juvenile Justice System
As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, governors are taking action to limit the spread of this disease, including coordinating ...
CARES Act & Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations: Workforce Provisions Summary and Analysis
Note: Title II of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) contains detailed provisions on the design ...
Law Enforcement and Stay-at-Home Orders
As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, governors are taking action to limit the spread of the disease, including issuing ...
Impacts of COVID-19 on Transportation Operations and Revenue
Governors and their states are on the frontlines of response to the evolving coronavirus pandemic. State transportation agencies are playing ...
PAST NGA CHAIRS INITIATIVES
- 2024-2025
Gov. Jared Polis’s Initiative
Let’s Get Ready! - 2023-2024
Gov. Spencer Cox’s Initiative
Disagree Better - 2022-2023
Gov. Phil Murphy’s Initiative
Strengthening Youth Mental Health - View all…