Updates from the NGA Membership Team for May 2025. For more about the programs below and a list of upcoming events please email NGA at: membership@nga.org.
May Spotlight
NGA Highlights Governors’ Education Priorities
Throughout May, coinciding with the end of the 2024-2025 school year, NGA’s social channels will continue to highlight Governors’ leadership driving education initiatives during the current school year. The campaign serves to help augment NGA Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ education-focused Let’s Get Ready initiative and comes following an invitation Governor Polis extended to Governors to showcase examples of education sites in their states and territories.
NGA also released this publication exploring the education priorities Governors outlined in their 2025 state of the state and territory addresses as well as a publication exploring ways Governors are prioritizing postsecondary strategies such as career and technical education programs.
Chair’s Initiative
NGA Holds Virtual Let’s Get Ready Convening, Shares Video Highlights Featuring Governors Polis & Meyer
NGA Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis, along with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, led the latest in a series of bipartisan events in support of his NGA Chair’s Initiative, Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success.NGA Holds Virtual Let’s Get Ready Convening, Shares Video Highlights Featuring Governors Polis & MeyerNGA Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis, along with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, led the latest in a series of bipartisan events in support of his NGA Chair’s Initiative, Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success.
NGA Spring Reception
Governors Stitt, Meyer, Stein Attend NGA’s Spring Reception
NGA Vice Chair Oklahoma Kevin Stitt, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein (pictured below L to R) attended NGA’s annual Spring Networking Reception. Held in Washington, D.C., the reception brought together Governors’ staff members, NGA Partners and representatives from the administration and Capitol Hill.
Communications
NGA Leadership Issues Statement on Preserving National Guard Authority
NGA Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Vice Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued a statement reinforcing Governors’ united commitment to uphold long-standing federal laws that require gubernatorial approval before making changes that impact the National Guard. This comes as Space Force leadership pushes a plan to implement Legislative Proposal 480 and remove units from states by the end of the year. Governors from all 55 states and territories have repeatedly called for the rejection of Legislative Proposal 480.
Governors Congratulate Pope Leo, Pay Tribute to Pope Francis
Following the passing of Pope Francis, Governors issued statements and proclamations lowering flags to half-staff in honor and memory of Pope Francis. Following last week’s election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the first American to be named pope, Governors have issued statements of congratulations. Below are posts from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
Government Relations
NGA Welcomes Secretary Noem During Convening of Governors’ Homeland Security Advisors
The Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) met April 15-17, in Washington, D.C., bringing together Governors’ homeland security advisors. During the meeting, participants spoke with national leaders, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary and former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (pictured with NGA Executive Director Bill McBride) and FBI Director Kash Patel. A summary of the meeting can be read here.
NGA Joins Governors at SelectUSA
This week, NGA joined the Governors who participated in the SelectUSA Investment Summit held outside of Washington, D.C. SelectUSA is an annual event hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce to encourage foreign direct investment in the United States. The meeting brings together policy leaders, business representatives and foreign dignitaries interested in partnering with American businesses. Monday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (pictured L to R) participated in a panel discussion focused on how tech investments make the U.S. a leader in global competitiveness. National Association of Manufactures president and CEO Jay Timmons (pictured with the Governors) moderated the discussion.
Center for Best Practices
Governor González-Colón Speaks at NGA Energy Roundtable
Last week, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón delivered welcoming remarks at NGA’s 2025 Energy Resilience Roundtable for U.S. Territories, Alaska and Hawai‘i. The Governor thanked NGA “for selecting the island for this event and bringing together officials from the federal government, state and territorial governments to discuss energy security and resilience.” More information about Governors’ energy policies can be found here.
NGA Releases Fentanyl Awareness Day Publication
Governors Beshear, Youngkin Announce Reduction in Overdose Deaths
National Fentanyl Awareness Day was observed April 29. In recognition of the annual observance, NGA released this new publication to detail examples of policies and education campaigns Governors have been implementing to help address the national drug overdose crisis.
Governors also marked the recent observance, including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear who announced overdose deaths in the commonwealth decreased for the third year in a row.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin joined First Lady Suzanne Youngkin at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Headquarters to announce Virginia has seen a record reduction in fentanyl overdose deaths.
NGA Welcomes Infrastructure Coordinators to Washington
NGA hosted the 2025 Infrastructure Coordinators Workshop in Washington, D.C. Over the course of the three-day meeting, Governors’ Infrastructure Coordinators met with federal officials and public and private sector leaders for discussions on key infrastructure implementation and project delivery issues. More information about Governors’ infrastructure work can be found here.
NGA Holds Webinar Focused on Legal and Regulatory Considerations Related to AI
NGA released a written overview of the recent briefing NGA held for Governors’ legal counsel to discuss legal and regulatory considerations for states related to artificial intelligence (AI). The meeting recap explores state legislative trends, risk management considerations and the executive orders Governors have issued pertaining to AI. Read more here.
NGA Publication Explores Ways Governors Prioritize Postsecondary Strategies
NGA released a new publication exploring examples of ways Governors highlighted different strategies to prioritize postsecondary education options in their 2025 State of State and Territory Addresses. Read more here.
NGA Participates in Kid Governor Leadership Summit
NGA staff members recently met with Kid Governors and their cabinet members during the sixth annual Kid Governor Leadership Summit. Kid Governor is a national, award-winning civic education program that teaches fifth grade students about state government, voting and the importance of civic engagement through an authentic election for their state’s Kid Governor. The program curriculum is currently offered to schools in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Oregon. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek are pictured meeting with Kid Governors.
NGA Shares Summary of Recent Mental Health Awareness Briefing
NGA hosted a briefing for state and territorial staff who focus on mental health awareness. NGA has released this written summary of the briefing to provide examples of recent actions taken in several states as well as other resources offices can use to help mark the May observance of Mental Health Awareness Month.
NGA Holds Convening for Governors’ Appointments to Boards and Commissions Directors
Last week, Governors’ Appointments to Boards and Commissions Directors convened virtually to share best practices, ask questions and offer words of encouragement about their work. The conversation focused on the Senate confirmation process, strategies for building relationships with legislators, and the types of information shared with legislators about candidates. Participants also discussed tools for tracking and organizing vacancies, applications and the high volume of data their offices receive. The next virtual convening will be held on Thursday, November 20, at 2 p.m. ET.
In Memoriam
NGA Remembers Illinois Governor George Ryan & Missouri Governor Kit Bond
NGA is saddened to share former Illinois Governor George Ryan (pictured below left) and former Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond (pictured below right) passed away. NGA extends condolences to the Governors’ families, friends and constituents.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s statement on the passing of Governor Ryan can be read here.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe’s statement on the passing of Governor Bond can be read here.
Monthly Member Update
Governor, First Lady Shapiro Host Reception with Former Governors, First Families to Benefit Residence Restoration
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro hosted a reception at the Governor’s Residence to support the ongoing efforts to rebuild and restore the historic home after the arson attack in April. They were joined by all five living former Pennsylvania Governors and First Ladies, representing more than four decades of Governors and First Families who lived and spent time at the Residence.
Governors Gordon, Cox & Little Sign Energy Compact
Utah Governor Spencer Cox recently hosted an energy summit in Utah, signing an energy compact with Idaho Governor Brad Little and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon that “strengthens our shared commitment to aggressively pursue more affordable, reliable energy across state lines.”
May in Photos
NGA routinely shares photos of Governors at work. A sampling of this past month’s photo highlights follows.
Top Row (L to R): Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Middle Row (L to R): North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Bottom Row (L to R): Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong
