WASHINGTON, DC – During the annual Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA), Governors approved federal priorities to advocate to Congress and the Administration. The list of priorities was developed by three bipartisan, Governor-led task forces who meet regularly to discuss issues and policies that impact states and territories.
“Governors work together to develop bipartisan solutions and collectively advocate state needs to Congress and federal agencies. These policy priorities encompass the goals of all 55 states and territories and will serve as a road map for the remainder of the 118th Congress,” stated Tiffany Waddell, NGA Director of Government Relations.
2024 NGA Federal Policy Priorities
Task Force on Economic Development and Revitalization
- Accelerating infrastructure project delivery, streamlining permitting, and securing energy resilience
- CHIPS and Science Act implementation, Economic Development Administration reauthorization, and advancing technology innovation to strengthen our economy and national security
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) implementation and advocating for the infrastructure needs of states and territories
- 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)
- Ensuring successful deployment of broadband infrastructure and adoption of services through programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program
Task Force on Public Health and Disaster Response
- Support policy and procedural changes to ensure efficient, transparent, and timely responses to disaster recovery for all
- Ensure the National Guard is equipped with adequate resources and capabilities to serve as the operational reserve for national security missions as well as support domestic emergencies while ensuring that Governors retain the authority to control the National Guard personnel as laid out in U.S.C. Title 32, Section 104
- Support the facilitation of private, non-profit, local, state, territorial and federal partnerships to enhance cybersecurity resiliency, and improve long-term critical infrastructure for new and emerging threats
- Strengthen and support mental health nationwide through sustained federal investment and reduction of stigma, particularly for vulnerable populations including youth, emergency personnel, disaster survivors and essential workers
- Identify pathways for increasing the healthcare workforce in areas including but not limited to community health, rural health, direct care, nursing support, long-term care, mental health, and substance use disorders in order to improve healthcare delivery
- Improve child and maternal health outcomes through strong federal-state partnerships that evaluate and address root causes while better supporting families nationwide
- Strengthen healthcare infrastructure through development of resources, guidance, and collaboration with supply chain, public health infrastructure, human services, health equity, nutrition, and telehealth
Task Force on Education, Workforce and Community Investment
- Farm Bill Reauthorization, ensuring resiliency and rural revitalization
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Reauthorization and improving workforce training in postsecondary education
- Ensure states and territories have adequate time and resources to spend remaining Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, especially for ongoing academic recovery efforts and upgrading school facilities
- Support state and territory efforts to finance new housing, including workforce housing and housing for public sector employees (i.e., teachers, firefighters, agriculture inspectors, and law enforcement)
- Support efforts to strengthen public safety and reduce recidivism
