Misplaced Pages

National Governors Association
Chair	Jared Polis (D-CO)
Vice Chair	Kevin Stitt (R-OK)
Executive Committee	Spencer Cox (R-UT) Greg Gianforte (R-MT) Kathy Hochul (D-NY) Jeff Landry (R-LA) Bill Lee (R-TN) Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) Josh Shapiro (D-PA)
Founded	1908; 116 years ago (1908)
Headquarters	444 N Capitol St Suite 267 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Affiliated	Bipartisan
Website
NGA.org/about
Politics of United States Political parties Elections

The National Governors Association (NGA) is an American political organization founded in 1908. The association's members are the governors of the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. Members come from across the political spectrum. NGA declares itself as nonpartisan.

The NGA serves as a public policy liaison between state governments and the federal government. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and at the White House when discussing federal issues to developing policy reports on state programs and hosting networking seminars for state executive branch officials. The NGA Center for Best Practices focuses on state innovations and best practices on issues that range from education and health to technology, welfare reform, and the environment. NGA also provides management and technical assistance to both new and incumbent governors.

The current NGA chair is Governor Jared Polis of Colorado, a Democrat. The current vice chair is Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, a Republican.

History

In 1907, the Inland Waterways Commission thought it necessary to ask the Conference of Governors to provide both state and national views relating to practical questions dealing with natural resources utilization and management in the Progressive Era. The NGA represents the governors of the fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). It is funded primarily by state dues, federal grants and contracts, and private contributions.

NGA adopted a policy in 1977 formalizing its standard practice dating back to 1941: The position of NGA chair alternates yearly between Republican and Democratic governors, so that neither party can control the position for two consecutive years. The vice chair is of the opposite party to the chair, and generally assumes the role of NGA chair the following year.

As of January 2024, Bill Clinton is the only former NGA chair to become president of the United States. Janet Napolitano became the first female chair in 2006.

The association's declaration of bipartisanship has been challenged after incidents such as statements made at the White House and on air by Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal during the 2014 annual summer meeting.

In February 2020, then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the National Governors Association that the Chinese Communist Party was actively attempting to influence U.S. policy through state governors and local officials. In October 2020, the United States Department of State discontinued U.S. participation in the U.S.-China Governors Forum to Promote Sub-National Cooperation due to alleged attempts by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a front organization for the CCP's United Front Work Department, to "malignly influence state and local leaders" in the U.S.

Chairs

Formally adopted as policy in 1977, chairs preside for a one-year term and alternate party affiliation, so the same party never serves for two terms in a row.

The following states have never produced an NGA chair: Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, and South Dakota; nor have any of the five territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Cecil Andrus resigned as Governor of Idaho upon being confirmed as Secretary of the Interior in January 1977. Florida's Reubin Askew completed Andrus' unexpired term as chair.
• Joe Manchin resigned as Governor of West Virginia when he was elected to the United States Senate in November 2010. Washington's Christine Gregoire completed Manchin's unexpired term as chair.

See also

• Executive federalism
• National Cabinet (Australia), a similar body in Australia
• Council of the Federation, a similar body in Canada
• Inter-State Council, a similar body in India
• Joint Ministerial Committee (UK), a similar body in the United Kingdom
• National Governors Association of Japan
• National Governors Conference (Mexico), a similar organization in Mexico
• Conference of Ministers-President, a similar body in Germany
• European Council, a similar body in the European Union
• United States Conference of Mayors
• Republican Governors Association
• Democratic Governors Association
• Governors Highway Safety Association

References

1. "Gov. Cox is launching an initiative as he takes over National Governors Association". ABC4 Utah. July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
2. "Gov. Jared Polis elected vice chair of the National Governors Association". The Denver Post. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
3. Inland Waterways Commission Recommendations... Inquiries in Progress Letter to the President, October 5, 1907: ..."3. We are of opinion that the conference may best be held in the national capital next winter, and that the conferees should comprise the governors of all our States and Territories, a limited number of delegates to be appointed by each governor, and representatives from leading organizations of both State and national scope engaged in dealing with natural resources or with practical questions relating thereto... In his Memphis address on October 4 the President announced the intention of calling such a conference, and on November 13 he issued invitations to the governors of the States and Territories to meet at the White House May 13–15, 1908;..."
4. FAQ Archived December 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine National Governors Association website, "How is NGA funded?" Retrieved December 8, 2013.
5. Janet Napolitano, Sourcewatch, June 7, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
6. National Governors Association showing deep Republican, Democratic divisions, Washington Post, Dan Balz, February 25, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
7. Allen-Ebrahimian, Bethany (February 19, 2020). "How a Chinese think tank rates all 50 U.S. governors". Axios. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
8. "U.S. designates Chinese body a foreign mission, quits local cooperation agreement". Reuters. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
9. "Designation of the National Association for China's Peaceful Unification (NACPU) as a Foreign Mission of the PRC". United States Department of State. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
10. "Historical Timeline". National Governors Association Centennial. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2008.

External links

• Resources in your library
• Resources in other libraries

• Official website

• Government-related professional associations in the United States
• State governors of the United States
• Organizations based in Washington, D.C.
• Organizations established in 1908
• 1908 establishments in the United States
• Federalism in the United States
• Executive federalism