The Western Governors' Association offers a regular roundup of news showcasing the work of Western Governors in economic development, natural resources, education, health and safety, and other areas. Here is what the Western Governors have been working on recently:
ALASKA Gov. Mike Dunleavy answered questions on public safety, education and his proposed budget in an interview. “I’m committed to improving our public safety outcomes across the board dramatically,” said the governor.
AMERICAN SAMOA Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga requested U.S. Senate support to approve funding for the territory’s infrastructure needs, including repairs and construction of new facilities.
ARIZONA Gov. Doug Ducey applauded the passage of legislation allowing new Arizona residents to get occupational licenses when they move to the state if they were licensed in the state they came from.
CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his statewide homelessness strategy at an event with formerly homeless Californians and local officials. “All of us need to have skin in the game, and we need to leverage every available resource – federal, state and local dollars – to fight homelessness across California,” said the governor.
COLORADO Gov. Jared Polis established a commission focused on expanding employee-owned businesses. The commission will provide technical support for businesses looking to convert to employee-ownership and identify barriers that impede business creation.
GUAM Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero emphasized health, education, the economy, public safety, and fiscal responsibility during a speech reflecting on her first 100 days in office.
HAWAII Gov. David Ige touted a new aquaculture accelerator that aims to attract startups focusing on sustainable solutions for the industry. “This effort is very much in line with our administration’s ongoing focus to build an innovation-based economy,” said the governor.
IDAHO Gov. Brad Little boosted starting teacher pay, saying “teachers who are just starting their careers should be compensated fairly and competitively so they can remain here to educate the next generation of Idahoans.”
KANSAS Gov. Laura Kelly launched the state’s Commercial Industrial Hemp Program, providing a diversification option for farmers. “I look forward to working with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, USDA and others to encourage growth in this new industry,” said the governor.
MONTANA Gov. Steve Bullock kicked off the 5th annual statewide Fight Childhood Hunger Week in Montana at an event organized by students. “Childhood hunger is a problem we can solve and it’s the work of these youth leaders that will help us in doing that,” said the governor.
NEVADA Gov. Steve Sisolak announced that 10 additional schools have met the requirements to be designated as an official Governor’s STEM School, denoting that the school meets the highest standards of STEM instruction and is a model for schools around the state.
NEW MEXICO Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham cheered revamped incentives to boost the state’s film, television and media industry. “Bring your production here, keep it here, put New Mexicans to work,” said the governor.
NORTH DAKOTA Gov. Doug Burgum advanced the state’s cybersecurity efforts by signing legislation to create a central, shared-service approach. “This important investment in 21st century critical infrastructure recognizes the increasingly digital world in which we live and the growing nature of cybersecurity threats,” said the governor.
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Gov. Ralph Torres commended the announcement of agricultural homesteading opportunities on Pagan island as a historic step for public lands and citizens. “We look forward to the issuance date and seeing residents return to their ancestral lands,” the governor said.
OKLAHOMA Gov. Kevin Stitt presented the Governor’s Arts Awards at the 43rd annual ceremony. “When it comes to our most important resources, I believe it’s the people of Oklahoma, and nothing exemplifies that better than many of the folks that are involved in the arts,” said the governor.
OREGON Gov. Kate Brown assembled a team of experts to create Oregon’s Wildfire Response Council, tasked with reviewing the state's current model for wildfire prevention, preparedness and response.
SOUTH DAKOTA Gov. Kristi Noem toured communities impacted by severe storms and flooding this spring. “Storms often bring out the worst in people, but in our state, we see the opposite. It's part of that South Dakota grit. Working together, we'll get through this,” tweeted the governor.
UTAH Gov. Gary Herbert attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a comprehensive affordable housing facility that will provide shelter, medical services, kitchens and a pet area for people experiencing, or transitioning out of, homelessness.
WASHINGTON Gov. Jay Inslee praised state initiatives addressing the opioid epidemic. Five counties received $887,000 in federal grants to hire peer recovery counselors, provide career support services and train staff for emergency medical interventions.
WYOMING Gov. Mark Gordon congratulated the high school students selected to represent Wyoming at the 2019 National Youth Science Camp, a STEM program hosted in the eastern mountains of West Virginia.
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