Editor’s note: This commentary is by Scott Pattison, the CEO of the National Governors Association, who is visiting Vermont Wednesday as part of a 50-state tour meeting with businesses, organizations, and foundation leaders.
[I]magine you won an election and come into office facing problems like population loss and a budget that limits your options for how to solve it. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott doesn’t have to imagine, because he’s lived it, and now has soaring approval ratings.
That may come as a surprise to many of those who follow politics nationally. Analysts suggest many Americans are short-term thinkers. We’re told the country is more divided than ever and we can barely speak to one another — let alone agree — across party lines. I see things differently with Americans having a desire for long-term solutions and less partisan bickering.
That explains the broad support received by Gov. Scott and colleagues like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is gaining ground as he encourages New Hampshire to live within its means. Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, is beloved in his deep blue state, seeking to fight opioid abuse and solve Massachusetts’ problems.
As CEO of the National Governors Association, I have the unique good fortune to work with these and other state executives. I’ve seen firsthand the diverse experience they bring, whether it’s from the military, the business world or humanitarian efforts abroad. And I’ve watched how these governors are committed to serving all constituents, not just those of a certain ideological bent.
The fact is, things work differently at the state level than they do in Washington, and thank goodness for it. In the nation’s capital, it seems all too easy to score a political point without achieving a policy victory for hard-working Vermonters. Such grandstanding has only worsened Americans’ low and declining opinion of Congress. Back in the states, however, leaders are held accountable. And they’re working to solve problems.
When you look constituents in the eye every day — not just a few times per year — you become more eager to work across the aisle to identify and enact solutions. Even seemingly insurmountable demographic challenges, like an aging population, a shrinking workforce, or the opioid crisis, are unable to stand in the way of action.
Some politicians want to kick that particular can down the road, but not governors. Gov. Scott knows doing so would let Vermont down. With his background crafting innovative programs to strengthen Vermont, he’s invaluable, not only to NGA’s Economic Development and Commerce Committee, but also to any governor in similar demographic straits.
That’s what NGA is all about. The organization brings governors together to share what’s working and what’s not. All ideas are welcomed and evaluated, regardless of the “party of origin.” After all, governors know from their own constituents how tired people are of being sorted into political colors. Whether their party affiliation is blue, red, purple or green, Americans just want leaders who can make things better.
Each day the nation’s governors are proving they drop the excuses, roll up their sleeves and execute on a plan. No wonder the country — and the rest of the world — increasingly turn to governors for answers.
