Inos, nation’s governors meet in Washington, DC

From left, CNMI Gov. Eloy S. Inos, U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. John deJohngh, and Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia-Padilla get acquainted at the opening session of the 2014 National Governors Association Winter Meeting held Saturday, Feb. 22, in Washington, DC. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Gov. Eloy S. Inos is meeting with fellow governors from across the country here in the nation’s capitol for the 2014 National Governors Association Winter Meeting. This is Inos’ first NGA meeting, exactly a year after his ascension to the position of governor.

The meeting provides governors an opportunity to discuss issues, share innovative solutions, and look for ways to strengthen state-federal partnership. The meeting also will include sessions with the President, members of his Cabinet, business leaders and other experts, as well as several governors-only meetings.

NGA chair Gov. Mary Fallin (R-Oklahoma) and NGA vice chair Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) addressed attendees and the media during an opening news conference Saturday morning.

“Governors across this country are making government work every single day,” said Fallin. “While Washington remains mostly gridlocked—preventing long-term solutions—we are addressing challenges by reforming education, building infrastructure, improving health care, and developing energy resources. Governors do not have the luxury of standing still. Our hope is that our federal partners will do their part and take action.”

Fallin outlined flexible federalism—the need to give states the flexibility to improve programs and policies and to support them in those efforts, noting that governors’ principles remain the same:

– Federal reforms should produce savings for both the federal government and states;

– Deficit reduction should not be accomplished by shifting costs to states or imposing unfunded mandates;

– States should be given increased flexibility to create efficiencies and achieve results; and

– Congress should not impose maintenance-of-effort provisions on states as a condition of funding.

“States are innovating at all levels and leading the country in finding solutions to often complex issues,” said Fallin. “Governors need flexibility to take care of the unique needs of our citizens and the challenges facing our states.”

Fallin also highlighted her NGA chair’s initiative, America Works: Education and Training for Tomorrow’s Jobs. The initiative focuses on improving state education and workforce training systems and aligning those systems with the needs of state economies. Additionally, she released the report, America Works: The Benefit of a More Educated Workforce to Individuals and the Economy, that frames the issue.

Jeffrey R. Immelt, chairman and CEO of General Electric, will address governors on this topic during the opening session.

“Gov. Fallin was spot on when she spoke about the need for the federal government to provide flexibility to local governments,” said Inos. “I’m also pleased that Gov. Fallin’s NGA chair’s initiative is focused on education and job training. This is certainly an issue that is at the forefront for us in the CNMI in the midst of uncertainty over the fate of our guest workers.”

The America Works initiative is geared toward building capacity for an educated and properly trained workforce. Inos sits on the NGA’s Education and Workforce Committee. The initiative also comes at a time when the CNMI’s request for extension of the CW transition period remains pending with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.

“Education and job creation are very important if we want to realize further economic growth in the CNMI,” added Inos. “We need to ensure that we provide our people with the tools they need to succeed.”

Other highlights of the weekend include:

– A discussion about employment trends in states, growth opportunities, and the changing economic climate during a special session moderated by Maria Bartiromo, anchor and global markets editor for Fox Business Network and the Fox News Channel.

– The Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee meeting about the future of the National Guard with Gen. Frank Grass, a member of the joint chiefs of staff and the chief of the National Guard Bureau. Governors have continuously called on the Secretary of Defense and Congress to protect the National Guard from damaging reductions to ensure its capabilities and quality.

– An Economic Development and Commerce Committee session on transportation reauthorization, an issue that has remained a top priority for the nation’s governors.

– The annual White House dinner on Sunday night and the governors-only meeting with the President on Monday, followed by a final news conference.

NGA’s Winter Meeting runs through today, Feb. 24.