February 20, 2009
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm will be in Washington, D.C. this weekend for the winter meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA) where the nation's governors will discuss the state of the economy, strengthening our nation's infrastructure, national health care reform, and the nation's housing crisis. While in Washington, the governor will also meet with federal officials to strengthen Michigan's partnership with the Obama administration and advocate for efforts that will create jobs in Michigan today and jobs in Michigan tomorrow.
"Governors are key partners in the White House's efforts to grow jobs, jumpstart the economy, and make long-term investments for the future," Granholm said. "These meetings will further our collaboration to help struggling families and create jobs today and tomorrow."
A central theme of the meeting, "Strengthening Our Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future," will focus on rebuilding, repairing, and extending our nation's infrastructure to ensure America's continued economic competitiveness. This is the NGA chairman's initiative led by Governor Rendell (D-PA).
As chair of the NGA Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee, Granholm will lead a Sunday discussion on national health-care reform. The governors will be joined by Congressman John Dingell and former HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to discuss efforts already underway to make these pivotal reforms. Governor Granholm also has been chosen to co-chair a bipartisan group of the nation's governors who will make recommendations to the president on providing affordable, accessible health care for all.
The governor will also assume the chairmanship of the Midwestern Governors' Association this weekend. Granholm's initiative, "Creating Jobs in the New Energy Economy," will address how to attract energy investment to the Midwest and ensure that Michigan and the Midwest have a skilled workforce ready to step into jobs in the new energy economy.
On Monday, Governor Granholm and her colleagues will travel to the White House to meet with President Obama and other senior administration officials to discuss the implementation of the economic recovery plan, the economy, and other issues facing the nation.
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