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National Governors Association

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National Governors Association
NGA logo.JPG
Basic facts
Location:Washington, D.C.
Type:501(c)(3)
Top official:Jared Polis (D), Chair
Year founded:1908
Website:Official website

TheNational Governors Association (NGA) is a501(c)(3) bipartisan organization that includes governors from the 50 states, three territories, and two commonwealths. As of July 2025, the NGA's website says they are " the voice of the nation’s Governors and a leading forum for bipartisan policy solutions.[1]

Background

The National Governor's Assocation was founded in 1908.[2] According to their website, the NGA "advances bipartisan dialogue, fosters policy innovation, facilitates information-sharing, advocates bipartisan policy priorities, conducts research and data development, and provides technical assistance in support of the leaders of the nation’s 55 states, territories and commonwealths."[1]

Leadership

The NGA is led by a nine-person committee. Elected annually, the Executive Committee supervises the association’s operations.[3] As of July 2025, the following governor served on the executive board.

*Democratic governors
*Republican governors
  • Republican PartyKevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma, vice chair
  • Republican PartyJeff Landry, Governor of Louisiana
  • Republican PartyGreg Gianforte, Governor of Montana
  • Republican PartyBill Lee, Governor of Tennessee
  • Republican PartySpencer Cox, Governor of Utah
  • Work and activitites

    Collaboration between states

    As of July 2025, the NGA's website says the following:[2]

    Working in the States—Our Membership staff provide services, including management and technical assistance to both new and incumbent Governors, their senior executive staff and trusted advisors.

    Sharing between States—Teams from the Center for Best Practices work with state policy leaders and other experts in fostering information sharing between states to research, develop and implement innovative solutions to public policy challenges.

    Advocating for the States—NGA’s Government Relations advocates for the bipartisan policy priorities of Governors among federal agencies and with Congress and the White House

    Supporting Public/Private Partnerships—NGA Partners works with leading industry and association stakeholders to promote information sharing and support bipartisan state solutions to the challenges facing state government today.[4]

    Best Practices Center

    The NGA Best Practices Center describes itself as developing "innovative solutions to today’s most pressing public policy challenges. The center is the only research and development firm that directly serves the nation’s governors."[5]

    The Center consists of 12 program areas:

    Finances

    The following is a breakdown of the National Governors Association's revenues and expenses from 2015 to 2022. The information comes from theInternal Revenue Service

    National Governors Association financial data 2015-2022
    YearRevenueExpenses
    2015$21,825,201$15,737,282
    2016$15,706,556$17,806,622
    2017$15,695,170$18,527,611
    2018$19,963,160$16,875,933
    2019$19,022,487$21,321,316
    2020N/AN/A
    2021$16,037,440$15,373,527
    2022$14,545,573$11,490,400

    Past leadership

    2021-2022

    Committee members for 2021-2022 were announced on July 8, 2021.[6]

    NGA Executive Committee
    ChairRepublican Party GovernorAsa Hutchinson,Arkansas
    Vice ChairDemocratic Party GovernorPhil Murphy,New Jersey
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorKay Ivey,Alabama
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorDoug Ducey,Arizona
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorCharlie Baker,Massachusetts
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorJared Polis,Colorado
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorGretchen Whitmer,Michigan
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorMichelle Lujan Grisham,New Mexico
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorRoy Cooper,North Carolina

    2014-2015

    Committee members for 2014-2015 were announced on July 13, 2014.[7]


    NGA Executive Committee
    ChairDemocratic Party GovernorJohn Hickenlooper,Colorado
    Vice ChairRepublican Party GovernorGary Herbert,Utah
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorDan Malloy,Connecticut
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorTerry Branstad,Iowa
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorMark Dayton,Minnesota
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorSteve Bullock,Montana
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorPat McCrory,North Carolina
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorMary Fallin,Oklahoma
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorScott Walker,Wisconsin


    2013-2014

    Committee members for 2013-2014 were announced on August 4, 2013. The current term runs though July 2014.[8]


    NGA Executive Committee
    ChairRepublican Party GovernorMary Fallin,Oklahoma
    Vice ChairDemocratic Party GovernorJohn Hickenlooper,Colorado
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorMike Beebe,Arkansas
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorJack Markell,Delaware
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorTerry Branstad,Iowa
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorMark Dayton,Minnesota
    MemberDemocratic Party GovernorSteve Bullock,Montana
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorGary Herbert,Utah
    MemberRepublican Party GovernorScott Walker,Wisconsin


    Alongside the Executive Committee, there were five additional committees:[9]

    • Economic Development and Commerce Committee
    • Natural Resources Committee
    • Education and Workforce Committee
    • Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee
    • Health and Human Services Committee

    Former NGA Chairs

    Chair's Initiative

    Since 1985, the NGA chair has chosen a policy area to focus on during their term. It is known as the "Chair's Initiative." The following is a chart of NGA chairs since 1985 and their chosen initiative.[10]

    List of Former NGA Chairs from 1985-Present
    TenureNameStatePartyInitiative
    2014-15John HickenlooperColoradoElectiondot.pngDemocraticDelivering Results
    2013–14Mary FallinOklahomaEnds.pngRepublicanAmerica Works: Education and Training for Tomorrow's Jobs
    2012–13Jack MarkellDelawareElectiondot.pngDemocraticA Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities
    2011–12Dave HeinemanNebraskaEnds.pngRepublicanGrowing State Economies
    2010–11Christine GregoireWashingtonElectiondot.pngDemocraticComplete to Compete
    2010Joe ManchinWest VirginiaElectiondot.pngDemocratic(Served part term)
    2009–10Jim DouglasVermontEnds.pngRepublicanRx for Health Reform: Affordable, Accessible, Accountable
    2008–09Ed RendellPennsylvaniaElectiondot.pngDemocraticStrengthening Our Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future
    2007–08Tim PawlentyMinnesotaEnds.pngRepublicanSecuring a Clean Energy Future
    2006–07Janet NapolitanoArizonaElectiondot.pngDemocraticInnovation America
    2005–06Mike HuckabeeArkansasEnds.pngRepublicanHealthy America: Wellness Where We Live, Work and Learn
    2004–05Mark WarnerVirginiaElectiondot.pngDemocraticRedesigning the American High School
    2003–04Dirk KempthorneIdahoEnds.pngRepublicanA Lifetime of Health and Dignity
    2002–03Paul E. PattonKentuckyElectiondot.pngDemocraticReaching New Heights: Turning Around Low-Performing Schools
    2001–02John EnglerMichiganEnds.pngRepublicanState Leadership in the 21st Century
    2000–01Parris GlendeningMarylandElectiondot.pngDemocraticWhere Do We Grow From Here?
    1999–00Mike LeavittUtahEnds.pngRepublicanStrengthening the American State in a New Global Economy
    1998–99Thomas R. CarperDelawareElectiondot.pngDemocraticSmartkids4ourfuture: Preparing Kids for Success
    1997–98George VoinovichOhioEnds.pngRepublicanInvesting in America’s Future: Working Harder, Working Smarter
    1996–97Bob MillerNevadaElectiondot.pngDemocraticEarly Childhood Development
    1995–96Tommy G. ThompsonWisconsinEnds.pngRepublicanIdeas that Work
    1994–95Howard DeanVermontElectiondot.pngDemocraticGovernor's Campaign for Children
    1993–94Carroll A. Campbell Jr.South CarolinaEnds.pngRepublicanPartnerships for Progress
    1992–93Roy RomerColoradoElectiondot.pngDemocraticStrategic Investment: Tough Choices for America's Future
    1991–92John AshcroftMissouriEnds.pngRepublicanRedefining the Possible: Achieving the National Education Goals
    1990–91Booth GardnerWashingtonElectiondot.pngDemocraticRx for a Healthy America
    1989–90Terry E. BranstadIowaEnds.pngRepublicanConsensus for Change: Achieving Educational and Environmental Excellence
    1988–89Gerald L. BalilesVirginiaElectiondot.pngDemocraticAmerica in Transition: The International Frontier
    1987–88John H. SununuNew HampshireEnds.pngRepublicanRestoring the Balance: State Leadership for America's Future
    1986–87Bill ClintonArkansasElectiondot.pngDemocraticMaking America Work: Productive People, Productive Policies
    1985–86Lamar AlexanderTennesseeEnds.pngRepublicanTime for Results

    See also

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. 1.01.1National Governors Association, "Homepage," accessed July 23, 2025
    2. 2.02.1National Governors Association, About, accessed July 23, 2025
    3. National Governors Association, "FAQ," accessed June 10, 2022
    4. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    5. NGA, "Best Practices, accessed June 10, 2022
    6. National Governors Association, "Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson Becomes Chairman Of National Governors Association,"June 10, 2022
    7. National Governors Association, "NGA Announces New Executive Committee Leadership," July 13, 2014
    8. National Governors Association, "NGA Announces New Executive Committee Leadership," August 4, 2013
    9. National Governors Association, "2013-2014 Committees," accessed November 26, 2013
    10. National Governors Association, "List of NGA Chairs," accessed November 26, 2013
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