Gov. Hutchinson takes reins as National Governors Association chairman

Gov. Asa Hutchinson became the third Arkansas governor to lead the National Governors Association as the group’s summer session closed on Thursday (July 8).

Former Governors Bill Clinton and Mike Huckabee have served as NGA chairmen. Hutchinson served as vice-chair of the NGA over the past year.

“This is a highlight of my time as governor, and my pledge is to use the platform to build on the areas where Republicans and Democrats agree and work to remove the obstacles in Washington where we can,” Hutchinson said. “One of my most important missions will be to help facilitate the states’ partnership with the White House as we guide the nation out of the pandemic. We must combat the fear that many have expressed about getting a vaccination.”

Hutchinson said he plans to bring a state initiative he has championed over his two terms as governor to a national agenda as chairman of the influential governor’s group.

“My initiative as chair will be to improve access to computer science education nationwide,” he said. “Arkansas has become known nationally for our computer science education program, and I want to showcase the efforts in other states and show why this matters and how we can expand computer science education. We will continue to have honest conversations with the White House and seek bipartisan solutions that work for everyone.”