Mission

WGA addresses important policy and governance issues in the West, advances the role of the Western states in the federal system, and strengthens the social and economic fabric of the region.

WGA develops policy and carries out programs in the areas of natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and state governance.

WGA acts as a center of innovation and promotes shared development of solutions to regional problems.

 

     Mission, Priorities and Strategies

Priorities

Each year, the Chairman of WGA proposes and the Board of Directors reviews and approves a strategic agenda for the organization.  The strategic agenda for 2008-09 is:

  • Accelerating the development of clean energy and electricity transmission
  • Ensuring western water supply and quality
  • Developing alternative transportation fuels to reduce depency on foreign oil

Strategies

The WGA takes up issues using six basic strategies:

Develop and Communicate Regional Policy

WGA enables Governors to identify issues of regional concern, to formulate regional policy for those issues, and to take action that promotes Western interests.

Serve as a Leadership Forum

WGA provides a forum for Governors and other leaders to exchange ideas, positions and experiences.

Build Regional Capacity

Through WGA, Governors and their staffs exchange information and ideas about problem solving for a wide range of practical management concerns. The exchange helps Governors manage their resources more efficiently, for example, when they procure services jointly and share development costs for new programs.  The exchange also helps build rapport among Governors, cabinet officers and gubernatorial staffs in the region.

Conduct Research and Disseminate Findings

WGA develops and maintains up-to-date information on a wide range of subjects important to Western policy-makers, business leaders and educators. WGA produces occasional white papers, reports and other analyses used in the development of policy on matters important to the West.

Form Coalitions and Partnerships to Advance Regional Interests

Through WGA, Western Governors form coalitions to collectively express their positions on matters of shared interest, and together advocate a Western agenda before Congress and the executive branch of the federal government.

Build Public Understanding and Support for Regional Issues and Policy Positions

Through its annual convention, meetings, media briefings, resolutions and background papers, WGA provides timely information for the public.

© Western Governors' Association. All rights reserved.