Cuomo takes over as head of national governors’ group
ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo officially assumed leadership of the National Governors Association on Wednesday during a meeting held virtually because of the pandemic.
Alongside some chuckles and technical glitches that characterize the new normal of video gatherings, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland passed the mantle of leadership to Cuomo, who had been vice chair. The position has gained greater significance and visibility this year as governors shoulder primary responsibility for the pandemic response and recovery efforts.
The bipartisan organization has held more than 50 group calls — with President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence included in 32 of them — and has spoken with a unified voice to push for additional federal funding and activation of the Defense Production Act, Hogan said.
“The National Governors Association has been more relevant and more effective than it has ever been before,” he said. “Our swift, early, and aggressive actions and our unified efforts have helped to save lives.”
And while the incoming chair typically announces a new initiative to pursue (Hogan’s was infrastructure), Cuomo said his priorities shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“Frankly, my friends, I don’t think we have that many options this year,” Cuomo said during his remarks.
Cuomo said the NGA will focus on sharing survival and recovery tactics among its members, as well as creating systems to increase testing capacity, contract tracing, supply chains for medical equipment, emergency stockpiles and surge capacity in the months to come. The governors will continue to press the federal government for the authorization and funds to accomplish those goals, including the $500 billion the group has collectively requested in direct aid, he said, and will reimagine the infrastructure necessary to rebuild.
“The only course forward in both our states’ self interest and our collective interest is to lock arms and leave this virus no place to spread,” he said.
The incoming vice chair is Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas. Cuomo’s term will last a year.