Governors recognize the unique nature of the federal system and the critical importance of developing a close working relationship with federal partners. They are committed to a vibrant and strong partnership with Congress and the Administration and believe that a cooperative relationship between the states, territories, and federal government is vital to best serve the interests of every American.
NGA utilizes a task force structure to ensure a more streamlined, Governor-driven approach to formulate and advance federal policy priorities. The three Task Forces — Education, Workforce and Community Investment; Public Health and Disaster Response; and Economic Development and Revitalization — work in a bipartisan fashion to coordinate NGA’s advocacy on federal policy issues.
The Co-Chairs of NGA’s three Governor led Task Forces recently sent letters to Congress outlining federal programs that are priorities for states and territories in the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations window. The annual appropriations process plays a critical role for states, territories and their Governors in advancing the work they are doing in education, workforce, health and human services, public safety, transportation, infrastructure and so many other areas of importance. Without adequate and reliable funding, it makes the job of administering the myriad of federal programs all the more difficult for state and territorial governments.
On behalf of all Governors, Education, Workforce and Community Investment Task Force Co-Chairs Idaho Governor Brad Little and U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan sent a letter on May 9th requesting the prioritization of funding efforts in support of:
- The Every Student Succeeds Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
- School Based Mental Health Services Professional Grants and the School Based Mental Health Services Grants;
- State grants under the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act;
- Pell Grants;
- State Longitudinal Data Systems & Workforce Data Quality Initiative;
- The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act;
- Apprenticeships;
- State and Territorial Unemployment Insurance Systems;
- Agriculture Programs;
- Programs Supporting Rural America;
- Funding for Affordable Housing Assistance;
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program; and
- Grants to State, Territorial and Local Law Enforcement.
On May 22, NGA Public Health and Disaster Response Task Force, Co-Chairs Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Hawai’i Governor Josh Green sent a letter outlining funding priorities in the areas of health, disaster response, defense, and homeland security. Requested topics for consideration included:
- Behavioral Health;
- Children and Families Programs;
- Maternal Health;
- Older Adults and Aging;
- Public Health Infrastructure and the Healthcare Workforce;
- Disaster Relief;
- Emergency Management;
- Homeland Defense; and
- Cybersecurity.
Capping off NGA’s advocacy, NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Economic Development and Revitalization Task Force Co-Chair Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sent a letter last week outlining Governors federal funding priorities in the areas of infrastructure, broadband, state stabilization, energy, environment, land management, technology, and taxes. Priorities outlined included:
- Surface Transportation Funding;
- Transportation Grant Programs;
- Highway Trust Fund Solvency;
- Water Infrastructure;
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Programs;
- Broadband Deployment and Access;
- Economic Development Administration (EDA) Programs;
- Energy Grant Programs;
- Environmental Management; and
- Sufficient Wildfire Response and Management Funding.
NGA thanks Congress for its continued support of these NGA priorities for Fiscal Year 2025 and for focusing on funding our nation’s critical needs.
