The Western Governors' Association keeps you updated on the latest news in the West. Here are the top stories for the week starting January 13, 2025. (Photos courtesy of Adobe Stock Images, the Office of Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and the Office of Washington Governor Bob Ferguson).
This week, nine Western Governors outlined their legislative priorities for the year in their 2025 State of the State addresses.
On Monday, January 13, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek detailed their accomplishments and policy priorities to their respective state legislatures.
Governor Hobbs touched on housing policy and ways to increase housing stock in the state. She also touted Arizona’s continued leadership in the semiconductor industry and other workforce development priorities.
In Montana, Governor Gianforte announced new investments in infrastructure projects, education initiatives, and housing programs.
Governor Kotek emphasized important issues such as housing and homelessness, education, behavioral health, and more. She also called attention to her state’s successful implementation of federal programs around habitat restoration, wildfire mitigation, solar expansion, and other programs.
On Tuesday, January 14, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Washington Governor Jay Inslee delivered what will likely be both of their final State of the State addresses.
With Governor Noem nominated to take the role of Homeland Security Secretary in the incoming Administration, her address laid out ten of the reasons why South Dakota will continue to be an example to the nation. She touched on topics such as health care, economic growth, agriculture, veterans’ affairs, and more.
Governor Inslee delivered his address shortly before the inauguration of Governor Bob Ferguson, who assumed office on January 15. Governor Inslee reflected on his three terms in office, highlighted some of his proudest legislative accomplishments, and invited Governor Ferguson to carry forward the progress that has been made over his three terms in office.
Wednesday, January 15, saw State of the State addresses from four Western Governors: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.
Governor Kelly called for support for early childhood services, announced her executive budget, and addressed the need to conserve and protect water supply in Kansas.
In Nebraska, Governor Pillen noted the strength of the state’s economy, stressed the need to protect water quality and quantity, and promised to seek a new model for school funding.
Nevada’s Joe Lombardo announced new efforts to support housing development and prevent homelessness, as well as new investments in physical and behavioral health care access for Nevadans.
Finally, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon touched on key issues such as infrastructure, energy, tourism, and education in his remarks. He also promised to support areas that were impacted by this year’s destructive wildfires if federal, state, and insurance programs fail to adequately address the needs of residents.
Read recaps and find videos of each State of the State address from Western Governors here.
Governor Bob Ferguson inaugurated: on Wednesday, January 15, Bob Ferguson took the oath of office to become Washington’s 24th Governor.
In his inaugural address, Governor Ferguson
mapped out priorities for his administration and called on the legislature to embrace bipartisanship and cooperation.
“I’m optimistic,” said Governor Ferguson. “I know that together we can make real progress and increase opportunities for Washingtonians. Now I admit to being a glass half full kind of guy. But my optimism is warranted for three reasons. First, Washingtonians are among the most resilient, dynamic and innovative people in the world. Second, they are represented by dedicated legislators from diverse backgrounds united by a common commitment to help improve our state. And third, Washington’s history demonstrates, over and over again, that we rise to the challenges placed in our path.”
New Mexico mental health centers: five new mental health treatment centers are opening their doors in New Mexico. The centers are certified by the state Health Care Authority and the Children, Youth and Families Department, and they will serve patients across seven New Mexico counties.
The federally designated model under which these centers will run aims to provide primary care treatment for mental health conditions, making these clinics a one-stop-shop for many aspects of mental health care.
New Mexico has received nearly $9.3 million in federal funding to establish the centers, with a boost from the state Legislature and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office.
Restoring waterways at abandoned mine sites: the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho is set to receive a $1.9 million grant through the America the Beautiful Challenge to restore 22 acres at an abandoned hydraulic mine site in Leggett Creek.
The project will reduce sediment in essential habitat for steelhead, Chinook salmon, and bull trout. It will also stabilize surrounding slopes by planting native trees and shrubs.
New flagship semiconductor facility: the third flagship CHIPS for America research and development facility is coming to the Arizona State University Research Park in Tempe.
The facility will feature cutting-edge technology to bridge the gap between laboratory research and full-scale semiconductor production, allowing researchers to develop and test new materials and advanced packaging solutions in an R&D environment.
The facility will add to Arizona’s strong semiconductor workforce, which Governor Katie Hobbs spoke about at WGA’s Western Prosperity Forum last year.
Western water projects: 11 western states are slated to receive $849 million from the U.S. Department of the Interior to repair and improve water infrastructure systems.
Selected projects include $34 million to Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado, $27 million to Turtle Mountain Reservoir in North Dakota, $143 million to the Rio Grande in New Mexico, $37.2 million for canal infrastructure in Montana, $28.3 million to Lake Powell in northern Arizona, and numerous others.
In total, the funding supports 77 projects across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Washington.
