National Governors Association
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox political party The National Governors Association (NGA) is an American political organization founded in 1908. The association's members are the governors of the 50 states, territories and commonwealths. Members come from across the political spectrum.
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.Template:Citation needed
The current NGA chair is Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, a Republican.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The current vice chair is Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, a Democrat.
History
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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.<ref>Inland Waterways Commission Recommendations... Inquiries in Progress Template:Webarchive 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;..."</ref> 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.<ref>FAQ Template:Webarchive National Governors Association website, "How is NGA funded?" Retrieved December 8, 2013.</ref>
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.
Template:As of, Bill Clinton is the only former NGA chair to become president of the United States. Janet Napolitano became the first female chair in 2006.<ref>Janet Napolitano, Sourcewatch, June 7, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2022.</ref>
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.<ref>National Governors Association showing deep Republican, Democratic divisions, Washington Post, Dan Balz, February 25, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2022.</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In July 2025 Democratic governors Laura Kelly of Kansas and Tim Walz of Minnesota, announced their intent to depart from the association citing a lack of criticism of policies during the Second presidency of Donald Trump and criticism of the organization's response to incidents of Trump threatening federal funding and threatening federal interference in operations in democratic-run states.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5417758-kelly-walz-stop-nga-dues/</ref> Similarly, in October 2025, Democratic governors Gavin Newsom of California and JB Pritzker of Illinois issued separate statements threatening to withdraw their states from the association in protest of the organization's lack of any denouncements of the deployments of the National Guard against the wishes of affected state governors.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref name="GovsTime">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.
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
- Council of the Nations and Regions, 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
External links
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