National Governors Association

National Governors Association. The National Governors Association is a bipartisan public policy organization representing the governors of the fifty-five states, territories, and commonwealths of the United States. Founded in 1908, it serves as a collective voice for state executives, facilitating the exchange of best practices and advocating for federal policies that support state priorities. Through its meetings, task forces, and policy centers, the association addresses critical issues ranging from health care and education to economic development and cybersecurity.

History

The organization was established in 1908 following an invitation from President Theodore Roosevelt for state executives to convene at the White House to discuss conservation issues, leading to the formation of the Governors' Conference. Key early figures included progressive leaders like Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin and Charles Evans Hughes of New York. It was formally renamed the National Governors Association in 1977, reflecting its evolution into a permanent, full-time public policy entity. Throughout the 20th century, it played a significant role during national crises, including the Great Depression and both World War I and World War II, often coordinating state responses to federal initiatives like the New Deal. Landmark meetings, such as the 1989 Education Summit in Charlottesville, Virginia with President George H. W. Bush, have shaped national policy dialogues.

Organization and leadership

The association is governed by its member governors, who elect a chair and vice chair annually, traditionally alternating between political parties; the current chair is Spencer Cox of Utah and the vice chair is Jared Polis of Colorado. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive director and staff based in its headquarters in Washington, D.C.. Its work is organized through several major divisions, including the Center for Best Practices, which conducts research and provides technical assistance to states, and the Office of Government Relations, which leads federal advocacy. Key committees and task forces, such as those focused on health and human services or economic development and commerce, allow governors to delve into specific policy areas. The association also maintains formal liaisons with organizations like the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Council of State Governments.

Policy and advocacy

The association develops policy positions through its committees, which are ratified by the membership and published as official policy directives, guiding its advocacy before Congress, the White House, and federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services. Major advocacy areas have included Medicaid reform, infrastructure investment, education standards under laws like the Every Student Succeeds Act, and state authority in regulating internet commerce. It frequently files amicus curiae briefs in pivotal Supreme Court cases affecting federalism, such as those pertaining to the Affordable Care Act or environmental regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency. Its non-partisan Center for Best Practices publishes reports and guides on issues from workforce development to disaster response, influencing state-level legislation and administrative actions across the country.

Meetings and events

The association hosts several major gatherings annually, most notably the Summer Meeting, held in a different host state each year, and the Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., which often features addresses by the President of the United States or key cabinet secretaries. These events include plenary sessions, committee meetings, and policy forums with leaders from Congress, think tanks like the Brookings Institution, and the private sector. The association also convenes special summits, such as the 2022 summit on mental health in Oklahoma City, and regional meetings to address specific geographic concerns. Since 2020, it has increasingly utilized virtual platforms to facilitate discussions on urgent topics like the COVID-19 pandemic response and supply chain disruptions, maintaining continuous dialogue among state executives.

Member states and territories

Full membership consists of the sitting governors of the fifty states, the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Membership is automatic upon a governor's inauguration, and all members have equal voting rights within the association's committees and on policy directives. The association maintains official rosters and communications with the governors' offices, often coordinating through designated state liaisons. It recognizes the unique challenges faced by territories and commonwealths, ensuring their representation in policy discussions on issues like disaster recovery and Medicaid funding. The collective engagement of these members from diverse jurisdictions, from California to the Northern Mariana Islands, underpins the association's role as a unified voice for subnational governance in the United States. Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:State governments of the United States