Updates from the NGA Membership Team for November 2025. For more about the programs below and a list of upcoming events please email NGA at: membership@nga.org.
November Spotlight
Governors Mark Veterans Day
This week, the nation’s Governors marked Veterans Day by issuing proclamations and holding ceremonies to recognize the military service of America’s veterans.
During 2025, Governors have worked to recognize veterans through a number of legislative and policy proposals. NGA released this commentary to share examples of some of these policies.
NGA also recognizes the Governors currently holding office who have served in the armed forces:
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,
• Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry,
• Maryland Governor Wes Moore,
• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz,
• Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and
• South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
Governor Stitt Writes Essay Honoring Veterans
NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt wrote an essay for the seventh Annual Veterans Day Special Edition of The Ripon Forum. In the essay, Governor Stitt examines how America’s Governors are honoring those who served in the military. Read the essay here.
Chair’s Initiative
Governor Stitt Leads NGA Delegation to Study Swiss Apprenticeship System
NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt recently led a delegation to Switzerland to study that nation’s advanced apprenticeship system. Delaware Governor Matt Meyer participated in the mission designed to further Governor Stitt’s NGA Chair’s Initiative Reigniting the American Dream. The visit included meetings with senior Swiss government officials, business leaders and industry associations as well as site visits to vocational schools and apprenticeship programs.
An overview of the meetings Governors Stitt and Meyer held in Switzerland can be read here. The Governors are pictured meeting with Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation, and Guy Parmelin Vice President of the Swiss Federal Council.
Gubernatorial Elections
NGA Congratulates Governors-Elect
November 4, gubernatorial elections were held in New Jersey and Virginia. Incumbents did not run in either election. NGA congratulates New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger (pictured L to R). NGA also maintains this webpage tracking information about gubernatorial elections and provides a variety of resources for Governors and Governors-elect as they prepare to leave or enter office.
Communications
Governors Stitt, Moore Speak with C-SPAN
NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and NGA Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore spoke with host Dasha Burns on C-SPAN’s Ceasefire. Watch the interview here.
NGA Welcomes Communications, Constituent Services Directors to California
Last week, NGA held a convening for Governors’ Communications Directors and Constituent Services Directors in San Jose, California. The convening featured some crossover programming, including a discussion with representatives from LinkedIn, Stanford University and YouTube regarding best practices for using social media to communicate with constituents. Governors’ Communications Directors visited Google’s and Meta’s headquarters, and Governors’ Constituent Services Directors held meetings at Adobe’s headquarters (pictured below).
Government Relations
NGA Urges Resolution to Government Shutdown
NGA joined with organizations representing the nation’s state, territory, county and municipal governments to send a letter calling on Congress to “resolve the ongoing federal shutdown which is rapidly becoming a crisis for the millions of Americans we represent.” Read the full letter here.
In addition to NGA, the letter is signed by the National League of Cities, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments, the United States Conference of Mayors, the International City/County Management Association and the Government Finance Officers Association.
Governors Outline Key Permitting Reform Priorities in Letter Sent to Congress
A bipartisan group of more than a dozen Governors sent a letter to congressional committee leadership outlining key permitting reform priorities on behalf of NGA’s Permitting Working Group. Read the letter here.
In February, during the 2025 NGA Winter Meeting, NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced the formation of the bipartisan working group focused on energy and infrastructure. Other working group members include:
• NGA Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore
• Colorado Governor Jared Polis
• Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont
• Indiana Governor Mike Braun
• Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry
• Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
• North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong
• Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee
• Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
• Utah Governor Spencer Cox
• Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
NGA Details Ways Governors Can Improve Maternal Health Through the Rural Health Transformation Program
All 50 States Submit Applications to Transform Rural Health
In a new commentary, NGA and the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health explore ways Governors can improve maternal mental health through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The RHTP was created through H.R. 1 and offers states an opportunity to reimagine rural health care systems through a $50 billion federal investment. Read more here. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that all 50 states submitted applications for the $50 billion RHTP.
NGA Holds Briefing on Telecom Infrastructure Vandalism and Public Safety Impacts
Vandalism of telecommunications networks is a growing problem, driven by theft of copper and fiber optic cables for scrap metal. More than 800 incidents are reported each month. NGA’s Economic Development and Revitalization Task Force recently hosted a briefing for Governors’ staff to provide an overview of threats and vandalism. Read more here.
NGA Shares Summaries of Topics Discussed at HHS Institute
NGA recently hosted the 2025 NGA Health and Human Services (HHS) Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Topics of discussion included making innovative tech work for health and human services and navigating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) implementation. Read more about these topics here and here.
NGA Holds Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network Institute, Governors Highlight Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Last week, NGA held the 2025 Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network in Washington, D.C. The meeting brought Governors’ staff members and the nation’s cybersecurity advisors together to discuss current cyber policy developments, trends and best practices. Throughout October, Governors took actions to mark the annual observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Cybersecurity Awareness Month is observed as a national effort to promote cybersecurity awareness and encourage individual Americans as well as organizations, businesses, and state and local governments to take proactive digital safety measures that help protect the nation from cyber threats. Read NGA’s most recent cybersecurity commentary to learn more about actions Governors are taking to promote cybersecurity.
NGA Releases Governors’ Playbook for Strengthening Education and Industry Alignment
America’s Governors play a vital role in shaping the education-to-workforce pipeline, ensuring every student is prepared not only for college but also for the jobs and careers of the future. To support this work, NGA partnered with All4Ed to develop a new resource – the Governors Playbook: Future Ready Pathways. This playbook was created to provide Governors and their advisors with concrete strategies to align education and talent development systems, expand career-connected learning and meet the evolving needs of economies in the states and territories.
Monthly Member Update
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon met at the Montana Chamber of Commerce Economic Summit to discuss energy policies
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear spoke at the University of Cincinnati for a conversation titled “Across the River and Across the Aisle.” The Governors discussed the importance of leadership and how Governors are finding common ground in divisive times. Watch the conversation here.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon released a first-of-its-kind infrastructure roadmap at a roundtable with Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada to position responsibly produced Rocky Mountain natural gas as a cost-effective, low-carbon solution for growing U.S. and Asian energy markets.
In Memoriam
NGA Issued a statement on the passing of Vice President Dick Cheney. Read the statement here.
NGA Mourns Passing of Governor Martha Layne Collins
NGA is saddened to share former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins passed away. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s statement can be read here. NGA extends our condolences to the family, friends and constituents of Governor Collins.
November in Photos
NGA routinely shares photos of Governors at work. This month’s photos featureNGA routinely shares photos of Governors at work. Highlights from the past month follow. Governors and First Spouses visiting summer fairs.
Top Row (L to R): Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson
Middle Row (L to R): Illinois Governor JB Pritkzer, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
Bottom Row (L to R): South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and American Samoa Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula
