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.
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