NGA - National Governors Association
02/19/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Membership Monthly – February 2026
Updates from the NGA Membership Team for February 2026. For more about the programs below and a list of upcoming events please email NGA at: [email protected].
Above (L to R): Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and First Lady Sandy Rhoden, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and First Lady Joanna Lydgate, and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landy
NGA Winter Meeting
NGA to Host 2026 Winter Meeting
NGA will host the 2026 Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., February 19-21.
The NGA Winter Meeting is the most well-attended annual gathering of the nation's Governors and serves as a forum for bipartisan coordination on pressing national issues. Each year's agenda includes notable guest speakers and in-depth discussions on timely priorities like infrastructure, AI, disaster preparedness and workforce development.
Gubernatorial Inaugurations
NGA Commentary Highlights Gubernatorial Leadership Changes in New Jersey, Virginia
NGA CEO Brandon Tatum attended the inaugural celebrations held for New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger. His reflections on the events can be read in this commentary NGA released about the recent inaugurations. The commentary also provides tributes to former NGA Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Chair's Initiative
New Video Spotlights Reigniting the American Dream Initiative
A new video has been released to augment NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's Reigniting the American Dream initiative. The video features Governor Stitt, NGA Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore, entrepreneur Mark Cuban and other leaders who attended NGA's 2025 Summer Meeting. Watch the video here.
Communications
NGA Leadership Issues Statement, Speaks with Sunday Shows
NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor issued the following statement.
NGA Issues Statement on Election Integrity
NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore issued the following statement on election integrity.
Governors Announce Dr. Brandon Tatum Named NGA CEO
NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced the appointment of Dr. Brandon Tatum as the Chief Executive Officer of the NGA. The news comes following a meeting of the NGA Executive Committee. Read NGA's statement here.
Government Relations
Governors Applaud Passage of PREEMIE Reauthorization Act
NGA issued this statement welcoming the passage of the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act and the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act. The bills were included in the bipartisan funding package approved by Congress last week. Led by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, co-chairs of NGA's Public Health and Emergency Management Task Force, NGA joined 250 organizations in a December letter urging passage of both bills.
Governors' Staff Members Meet with Federal Officials to Advance Permitting Reform Priorities
This month, representatives from the offices of NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro met with federal officials to advance Governors' permitting reform priorities. Read more about Governors' permitting priorities here.
NGA Holds Convening for Governors' State-Federal Affairs Representatives
NGA hosted a convening for Governors' State-Federal Affairs Representatives in Washington, D.C. The convening provided Governors' State-Federal Affairs Representatives a chance to connect with peers from across the country, share insights and strategize on engaging Congress and the Administration on Governors' top priorities. Key meeting takeaways can be found here.
Center for Best practices
NGA Launches Data Dashboard Project to Measure Student Success
The NGA Center for Best Practices launched the Policy Academy to Advance Data Dashboards Measuring Student & System Success. The project will be led by Governors' offices from a bipartisan group of seven states and territories: American Samoa, Colorado, Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, North Dakota and Oregon. Inspired by Colorado Governor Jared Polis' 2024-2025 NGA Chair's Initiative "Let's Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success," the 18-month project will support state and territory efforts to launch a dashboard tracking measures of student and system success across academics, workforce and postsecondary readiness, civic preparation, and student experience and well-being. Read more here.
NGA Releases Commentary on Governors' Collaboration to Ensure Regional Energy Affordability
Thirteen regional Governors joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to sign a Statement of Principles to address ongoing affordability and reliability concerns related to the supply of electricity. This development comes following several actions these Governors have taken in recent months to brainstorm solutions and governance reform to better address future energy needs, including a meeting NGA held last fall in Philadelphia. Read more about the Governors' work in NGA's new commentary "Governors Collaborate to Ensure Regional Energy Affordability."
NGA Hosts Briefing on Credentialing and Skills Training
The NGA Center and National Skills Coalition (NSC) hosted a briefing January 20 on credentialing and skills training. NSC shared findings from two new studies: one from small and midsized businesses about their use of credentials, and a second on the experiences of workers and learners who participate in skills training. An overview of the key takeaways presented at the briefing can be read here.
NGA Hosts Cannabis State Roundtable
NGA hosted a roundtable to bring together 11 states and industry stakeholders to discuss cannabis and hemp policy. Sessions focused on the status of cannabinoid markets, public health and safety strategies, ensuring sustainable marketplaces and federal reform. A meeting readout can be read here.
NGA Launches Working Group on AI and the Future of the Work
NGA, in partnership with the Center for Civic Futures and McKinsey & Company, launched a new bipartisan working group of Governors' advisors who will meet regularly to develop "A Roadmap for Governors on AI & the Future of Work." Learn more here.
NGA Commentaries Highlight Governors' Infrastructure, Workforce Priorities
As Governors continue to deliver their 2026 State of the State, Territory and Commonwealth addresses, NGA is tracking some of the common themes Governors have been highlighting as priorities for the year ahead. In the commentary "The State of Infrastructure: Governors 2026 Priorities," NGA details infrastructure policies Governors have discussed, including projects related to strengthening economic mobility and rural communities.
NGA's commentary "Good Jobs, Strong States: How Governors Are Building Opportunity in 2026" looks at some of the workforce and business expansion programs Governors have highlighted in their 2026 State of the State and Territory addresses.
NGA continues to maintain and update this resource tracking information about this year's State of the State, Commonwealth and Territory addresses.
Monthly Member Update
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Nevada Governor Joe Lomabrdo, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon met with the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum regarding the sustainability of the Colorado River.
February in Photos
NGA routinely shares photos of Governors at work. Highlights from the past month follow. Governors and First Spouses visiting summer fairs.
Top Row (L to R): Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, and Delaware Governor Matt Meyer
Middle Row (L to R): Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and Hawai'i Governor Josh Green, M.D. and First Lady Jaime Green
Bottom Row (L to R): Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Iowa Governor Laura Kelly, and Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón and First Gentleman Dr. José Yovín Vargas
NGA - National Governors Association published this content on February 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 09, 2026 at 21:03 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]