The meeting featured keynotes by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, as well as discussions on significant western issues, including the changing face of the West, energy, and autonomous vehicles.
From left: Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ralph Torres, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Hawaii Gov. David Ige, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, North Dakota Gov. Burgum
Twelve Western Governors attended the WGA Winter Meeting on Dec. 1-2, 2017, at the historic Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.
WGA Chair and South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard was joined at the meeting by WGA Vice Chair and Hawaii Gov. David Ige, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo, and Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ralph Torres.
On Day One the Western Governors examined the evolving face of the West and how to handle the ever-changing landscape of workforce development, including remarks by Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. The Governors also heard from Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke and an entertaining keynote by Cheers star John Ratzenberger brought the day to a close. Read the Day One Report, see a slideshow.
Day Two of the meeting included a keynote by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, followed by a roundtable that explored the future impact of autonomous vehicles on jobs and infrastructure. Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill opened the day with a keynote about the team’s past and future. The meeting concluded with a panel of historians who explored the evolution of the state-federal relationship. Read the Day Two Report, see a slideshow.
The Governors also approved four policy resolutions. Read, download the resolutions.
Ten Western Governors conducted interviews with iHeartRadio. Listen to them here.
Watch C-SPAN coverage of the 2017 WGA Winter Meeting.
The Western Governors will meet next for their 2018 Annual Meeting, to be held June 25-27, 2018, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
