Saturday, November 17, 2012
Bipartisan Meeting Will Focus on Transition from Campaigning to Governing
SAN DIEGO, CA—Veteran governors welcomed governors-elect this weekend for an executive-style retreat to help them prepare for service as state chief executives during the National Governors Association (NGA) Seminar for New Governors.
The two-and-a-half day biennial seminar brings together governors fresh off the campaign trail and assists in the transition from running for office to governing their states. The seminar runs from Friday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Nov. 18.
“It is an honor to work with such a diverse and talented group of governors from across the country,” said NGA Chair Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. “We will be working together advocating before the federal government and developing best practices policy solutions for states. At the Seminar for New Governors, we take off our partisan hats and get down to the business of governing. NGA gives us an opportunity to work together as leaders of our states.”
“The Seminar for New Governors is a great opportunity for governors and governors-elect to share expertise and discuss common goals for the future,” said NGA Vice Chair Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. “I especially want to thank the veteran governors for taking time to serve as faculty and for their dedication and willingness to impart their wisdom as the NGA ushers in a new class of chief executives. I know this weekend will inspire each governor to be a good leader, serve the needs of their constituents and work to build productive and successful states.”
NGA is a bipartisan organization of the governors of the 55 states, commonwealths and territories. During the meeting, which occurs every two years following a general election, veteran governors serve as faculty and advise governors-elect, their spouses and their staff on a host of issues including: managing the budget during tough fiscal conditions; shaping a vision for the administration; strategic scheduling and communications; and emergency preparedness.
“This meeting of both new and old governors is a splendid opportunity to learn and share ideas for improving state governance,” said California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. “On behalf of the people of California I welcome the governors to sunny San Diego and wish them well in their deliberations.”
Governors-elect attending the seminar include: Indiana Governor-elect Mike Pence, Montana Governor-elect Steve Bullock, New Hampshire Governor-elect Maggie Hassan and Washington Governor-elect Jay Inslee.
Sitting governors attending the seminar, in addition to Gov. Markell and Gov. Fallin, include: Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.