The nation’s governors are coming to Providence for their semi-annual meeting in August, and while they will collectively spend many dollars in and around Rhode Island, their greatest contribution will most likely be in forming policies about the nation’s most critical issues, virtually all revolving around the economy.
They will be here August 4 through 7, ready to explore common issues such as tight budgets, slow sales and corporate tax growth, a need to streamline and computerize government transactions, and issues involving the environment and smart growth, affordable and accessible higher education.
It is a full agenda for the National Governors Association’s (NGA) semi-annual conference. A conference is held each year in Washington and another is hosted by the various states. This year it’s Rhode Island’s turn.
This is no insignificant group. NGA officials said about 1,200 people are expected, among them nearly 400 from the media, and the governors, their families and staffs. In terms of power, Raymond Scheppach, NGA executive director, noted that four of the last five U.S. presidents came from the NGA.
Scheppach, NGA’s executive director, and Christine LaPaille, NGA’s director of public affairs, both said this is a good opportunity for Rhode Island to gain national exposure, through the media that’s represented, including considerable television exposure.
While the governors and their staffs attend heady meetings, their families will be exploring Rhode Island, from the beaches of Newport to Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Children’s Museum in Providence, The governors will join their families for an event at the Breakers’ mansion in Newport and a taste of Rhode Island event at the State House followed by a special lighting of Waterfire.
For Scheppach and his staff of 100, however, the essence of the meeting will be dealing with the difficult issues facing virtually every state, from tight budgets to spiraling health care costs.
NGA is the premier lobbying organization for states, Scheppach said, including having some influence in the distribution of some $275 billion to $300 billion in federal aid that goes back to states and individuals. The non-partisan group also holds a training school for new governors, and through its Center for Best Practices helps states with information on a variety of common issues.
The theme of this year’s conference in Rhode Island will be smart growth and post-secondary education, along with the broader issues of the new economy and the shift in economic development, Scheppach said.
Scheppach particularly focused on post-secondary education, where he said the United States if far behind some European countries when it comes to distance learning. Distance learning, meaning over the Internet, lowers the cost of education and increases accessibility.
Here are some of the other issues, Scheppach expects the governors to discuss:
Internet taxation, trying to get all the states to agree to one uniform definition to create a level playing field.
Energy policy. While Scheppach doesn’t necessarily believe the NGA needs an energy policy because of the difficult “environmental and regional issues,” the widespread energy crisis will likely warrant considerable discussion about developing a uniform policy.
Budgets and health care. Both are linked with health care rising at a rate of 12 to 14 percent a year, Scheppach said, and Medicaid amounting to about 20 percent of each state’s budget.
Long-run fiscal problems. Scheppach said many states are still operating on a taxation system designed “for 19th century manufacturing” that needs to reflect the new global, technology based economy. He said states are finding sales and corporate tax growth slowing.
E-governance. Looking for expansion of e-governance to expand on-line capabilities of states to include various small business transactions, besides such items as auto license renewals. “The real secret is to get the states to reorganize behind the Web pages.”
