NEW YORK (WKBW) — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was voted unanimously to serve as the chair of the National Governors Association Wednesday during the virtual 2020 summer meeting.
Cuomo is the first New York governor to become NGA's chair. He met with the NGA Executive Committee and addressed the conference Wednesday, below is a statement that was part of his remarks.
"What should the NGA agenda be for the next year? It should adopt the agenda most relevant to the Governors, and I think we all know what that is. Frankly my friends I don't think we have that many options. Next year's agenda is not really a question of discretion, but rather the dictation of reality. Our agenda is: America's Recovery and Revival.
First, we must manage the COVID virus until a vaccine is developed and we need the Federal Government to work with us in that effort.
Second, we will need to deal with the undeniable consequences and effects of COVID. The economic damage it has done as well as the critical public health care needs that it exposed and highlighted.
And third, all this in the context of a new chapter in the Federal/State relationship. While I'm sure none of us wanted to be in this position of dealing with COVID, the last six months have highlighted the importance and capacity of state governments and the need for a reformulated, redefined Federal partnership especially in this coming year where not only do we need historic pandemic related relief funding but we also have several critical legislative reauthorizations expiring."
