01/20/26
Western Governors share bipartisan recommendations on USDA Reorganization
In correspondence with US Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Western Governors submitted bipartisan feedback regarding the USDA Department Reorganization Plan. In the January 20 letter, signed by Utah Governor and WGA Chair Spencer Cox and Hawaii Governor and WGA Vice Chair Josh Green, the Governors advocate for strong communication and coordination between states and the department. This is particularly critical to effectively administer food assistance programs in the West. They also support retaining regional, state, and local offices, establishing a state director framework for the U.S. Forest Service, and other priorities. “As the department seeks to improve effectiveness and accountability, enhance services, reduce bureaucracy, and achieve cost savings, we note that a strong partnership between states and the federal government also benefits each of those goals,” reads the letter. “That is why improving state-federal communication and coordination are among the highest priorities of Western Governors.” Read the correspondence in full for further details.