Hogan Reflects On Tenure As Chair Of Governors Association

ANNAPOLIS, MD — After a year as chair of the National Governors Association, Gov. Larry Hogan's (R) term ended Wednesday. His closing address focused on the group's influence in urging a federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The NGA first gained widespread attention when the coronavirus situation started to get more serious in the United States. The group responded in February with a briefing from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert.

Since then, Hogan has hosted more than 50 coronavirus-response calls with the governors. President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence dialed into 32 of those meetings..

"Over the past five months, in the face of the most daunting challenge of our lifetime, America’s governors have stepped up and led," Hogan said. "We didn’t let politics get in the way and we didn’t hesitate to make the tough decisions."

From the pandemic's onset, the NGA has pushed for expanded testing. On Tuesday, seven governors acquired 3.5 million rapid-response coronavirus tests. These tests deliver results in 15 to 20 minutes.

Hogan executed the deal with the governors from Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia during the final days of his tenure as chair. Each state will get 500,000 of these tests.

The Rockefeller Foundation said it will fund the purchase, if need be. The deal's value has not yet been announced.

"At one of the most important moments in our history, governors are doing what we do best," Hogan said. "We are working together in a bipartisan way, showing real leadership, making real progress, and finding real solutions to the serious problems facing us. Never has that type of leadership been more important than it is right now in America."

The governors also lobbied Trump on Monday, asking him to extend federal coronavirus funding for the national guard. The guard has helped states with coronavirus testing, food distribution and supply transportation.

Federal coronavirus funding for the branch was set to expire on Aug. 21, but Trump extended their relief efforts on Monday. Now, the national guard will help states deal with coronavirus recovery through the end of the year.

The federal government previously funded all of the guard's coronavirus costs. Because of the extension, states will now have to foot 25 percent of the bill. A few states where the pandemic is worst, like Florida and Texas, will continue to benefit from full federal funding, however.

"Of course we all know that this crisis is far from over," Hogan said. "We continue to battle this global pandemic and this economic collapse. And we will continue to push Congress and the administration to follow through on their commitment to provide additional critical funding for state governments, who are battling on the front lines. "

Given the NGA's role in controlling the pandemic, Hogan said the group of governors is more relevant now than ever. He added that the NGA's "swift, early [and] aggressive" actions helped save lives.

Hogan hopes the association will continue to grow the country's transit and communication networks, which were his top priorities as chair before coronavirus struck. As his tenure ended, Hogan created an NGA position to examine the country's infrastructure needs. That work will be funded until January of 2023.

New York Gov. and reigning NGA Vice Chair Andrew Cuomo (D) will take over for Hogan, serving a one-year term. His vice chair will be Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R).

Hogan will continue to serve on the NGA's executive committee. His second term as Maryland governor ends in 2023.

“I have no doubt that together, America’s governors will continue to lead and that we will continue to do whatever it takes to get our states and our nation back on track.” Hogan said. “We will defeat this deadly virus together, we will get through this, and we will come back stronger and better than ever before.”

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