NGA - National Governors Association
06/17/2024 | Press release | Archived content
Membership Monthly – June 2024
Updates from the NGA Membership Team for June 2024. For more about the programs below and a list of upcoming events please email us at: [email protected].
June Spotlight
Nation's Governors Continue Call for Discontinuation of Legislative Proposals Denying Governor authority Over National Guard
NGA has been working closely with Governors as they continue to press the Department of Defense to discontinue Legislative Proposal 480 that would weaken or eliminate Governor authority over the National Guard and threaten readiness and operational efficacy of their units.
Governors from both parties in all 55 states and territories unanimously object to the proposal to transfer certain National Guard units out of states. NGA and Governors have also been working with Congress to address this issue.
Most recently, Governors supported the House of Representatives in adopting the Wilson Amendment in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act Full Committee Mark Up. The amendment retains Governors' authorities and the required approval process outlined in Title 10 and Title 32. NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Vice Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis released this statement commending the action taken in the House.
NGA Holds Convenings for governors' staff members
NGA Holds Communications, Policy Convenings
Governor Shapiro Welcomes Attendees to Pennsylvania, Praises Public Service
NGA recently held a Convening for Governors' Communications Directors that ran concurrently with a Policy Summit for Governors' Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Legislative Directors and Policy Directors.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, pictured, welcomed the participants to Pennsylvania, recognizing the attendees for their public service. Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro also spoke with attendees, participating in a panel discussion focused on health policy.
The Communications Convening included meetings in New York City with several of the country's top media outlets, including The New York Times, pictured, and The Wall Street Journal. The Policy Summit included sessions on a variety of priority issues, including public safety and artificial intelligence.
NGA Welcomes Chiefs of Staff to Leadership Forum
NGA recently welcomed Governors' Chiefs of Staff to the Hoover Institution to participate in the State and Local Leadership Forum. The meeting focused on several timely topics, including a session on the implications of economic growth and inflation, as well as a discussion on American leadership that was facilitated by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, pictured with attendees, who serves as the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and a Senior Fellow on Public Policy.
Communications
Governors Cox, Moore Highlight Disagree Better on GMA
NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Maryland Governor Wes Moore conducted an interview with Good Morning America to highlight Governor Cox's NGA Chair's Initiative Disagree Better. Watch the interview here.
Communications
Governors Invited to Promote Student Contest to Mark America's 250th Birthday
As a reminder, Governors' offices have been asked to help America250 spread the word about the nationwide America's Field Trip contest students in grades 3-12 can enter to help celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026.
This toolkit contains suggested language and other ideas for ways Governors can help raise awareness about the contest.
Watch Montana Governor Greg Gianforte's video message to see an example of how Governors are helping raise awareness about the contest.
Government Relations
Governors Green and Scott Send Letter to Congress
Hawai'i Governor Josh Green and Vermont Governor Phil Scott, co-chairs of the NGA Public Health and Disaster Response Task Force, recently sent a letter to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees noting Governors' priorities as the committees consider Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bills. The letter calls on Congress to prioritize several efforts, including items related to behavioral health, children and families programs, maternal health, older adults and aging, public health infrastructure and healthcare workforce, disaster relief, emergency management, homeland defense, and cybersecurity. Read the letter here.
Last month, Idaho Governor Brad Little and U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., co-chairs of NGA's Education, Workforce and Community Investment Task Force, sent a letter to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees asking Congress to prioritize funding in the areas of labor and workforce development, career and technical skills, PreK-12 education, postsecondary education, criminal justice, housing and agriculture. Read the letter here, and contact Tim Carlton for more information.
NGA Shares Farm Bill Resource and Update
Last month, the House Committee on Agriculture passed, with a bipartisan vote of 33-21, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, legislation to reauthorize the 2018 Farm Bill. In anticipation of the House mark-up and possible consideration of a Senate Farm Bill package, NGA produced a side-by-side resource comparing Farm Bill proposals in the House and Senate to NGA's Farm Bill Priorities, which were released and sent to the House and Senate authorizing committees in the fall of 2023.
The 2018 Farm Bill was most recently given a one-year extension at the end of 2023, providing extension of program authorizations until September 30, and at the end of the Crop Year, ending December 31. A timeline for floor consideration of the House Committee-passed Farm, Food, and National Security Act, has not been announced, nor has a Senate Agriculture Committee mark-up been scheduled at this time.
Governors and National Partners Urge Congress to Preserve Cyber Security Grant Funding
NGA joined several state and local government leaders to send a letter urging Congress to preserve funding for the State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program (SLGCP). The letter reiterates the critical need for SLGCP funding to remain at $100 million for Fiscal Year 2025, the amount previously approved by Congress through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Read the letter here.
NGA Holds Congressional Briefing
The NGA Public Health and Disaster Response Task Force held a congressional briefing on building resiliency to combat disasters and emerging threats, including cyber, health, National Guard and homeland security. This briefing brought together Congress, federal agencies and private partners to discuss priorities of state and territory leaders. Read a summary of the meeting here, and watch the briefing here.
Center for Best Practices
Governor Kelly Speaks at NGA Broadband Leaders Workshop
This month, NGA held the second Broadband Leaders Workshop in Overland Park - Kansas City, Kansas. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, pictured, spoke at the event that brought together broadband leaders and key federal officials, industry leaders and stakeholders for a workshop designed to help navigate this critical stage in implementing federal and state programs to achieve key broadband access, affordability and adoption goals.
Governor Stitt to Speak at NGA Energy Policy Institute
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, pictured, will speak at the NGA Energy Policy Institute scheduled to be held June 26-27 in Oklahoma City. The Energy Policy Institute is NGA's premier convening for Governors' energy policy advisors and senior staff. This event will feature engaging discussions, informative presentations and ample networking opportunities with state and territory peers, federal partners and industry leaders.
Governors and State Leaders Continue Commitment to Building a More Resilient and Secure Energy Future
American Samoa Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, Hawai'i Governor Josh Green and U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., pictured with Hawai'i First Lady Jaime Green, recently participated in NGA's Energy Security, Resilience and Recovery Roundtable for Territories and Islanded Communities. The meeting brought the Governors and state and territory leaders together to discuss some of the latest technologies and best practices to help strengthen critical issues of energy resilience and security. A summary of the meeting can be read here.
NGA Partners with Governor DeWine's Office to Lead Policy Retreat on PFAS, Water Safety
NGA's Center for Best Practices recently worked with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's policy advisors, along with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio Department of Health (ODH), to develop and host a state policy retreat held May 20-21 in Columbus.
The retreat focused on PFAS testing and mitigation options for private well owners. PFAS is a class of chemicals known as "forever chemicals" that have detrimental human health impacts and can be found in various consumer products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently established PFAS limits for public drinking water systems; however, private wells are not subject to these limits.
Governor DeWine's office has been collaborating with state agency experts to begin to develop a plan to test for PFAS in private wells and determine treatment options. In December, Governor DeWine, pictured, announced the expansion of H2Ohio, Ohio's comprehensive, data-driven strategy to improve water quality throughout the state. As part of the program, Ohio will undergo a statewide survey to measure its large rivers for the existence of PFAS.
The NGA Center also continues to work with the Ohio state team on next steps.
NGA Convenes Six States to Explore Best Practices to Advance Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy
NGA convened leaders from Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Ohio and Vermont in Albany, New York, for a meeting designed to help advance their disability inclusive workforce policy agendas. A summary of the meeting can be read here.
To kick off the event, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, pictured, hosted the state leaders at the New York State Executive Mansion.
In January, NGA, with support from the U.S. Department of Labor's State Exchange on Employment & Disability, selected these six states to participate in the Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy Learning Collaborative.
NGA Releases Webinar on Maine's Education Priorities
NGA released a new webinar, "Spotlighting Maine's Efforts to Strengthen Education for Students, Families and Schools Across the State." This webinar brings together Joe Marro, Senior Policy Advisor for Maine Governor Janet, and Pender Makin, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, to discuss their ongoing work to strengthen education in Maine.
NGA Leads Webinar Series on State Energy Planning
NGA and the National Association of State Energy Officials are conducting a series of webinars on various aspects of the comprehensive state energy planning process. Read more about the series here, and click below to watch the first two episodes.
NGA ANNIVERSARY
NGA Celebrates 116th Anniversary
NGA observes its 116th birthday this year. NGA was founded in 1908 after Governors met with President Theodore Roosevelt to discuss conservation issues. This meeting prompted Governors to form an association through which they could come together to discuss mutual concerns and act collectively. Learn more about NGA here.
Monthly Member Update
Governor Ivey Announces Summer Reading Challenge
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, pictured, has invited Alabama students to join her for her Summer Reading Challenge, an effort to encourage children to include reading in their summer activities.
As part of the campaign, Governor Ivey released a video message encouraging rising students in grades K through 8 to participate in the initiative.
June in Photos
NGA routinely shares photos of Governors at work. A sampling of this past month's photo highlights follows.