NGA Chairman Gov. Hutchinson Unveils Compact to Expand K-12 Computer Science Education
During the four-day meeting, Governors held policy discussions on topics including infrastructure investments, strategies to continue to facilitate America’s return to work, and ways to prepare for and respond to a cyberattack.
The nation’s Governors gathered in person this weekend during the 114th annual Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association. The chief executives of states and territories met with President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo, and David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group.
“There has never been a more important time to convene to address some of our nation’s biggest challenges,” said NGA Chairman and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. “Whether on public health, infrastructure, cybersecurity, education, workforce development or strengthening our economy, Governors are at the forefront of solutions that improve people’s lives.
“Our success comes from working together to drive bipartisan solutions that serve all Americans.”
During the four-day meeting, Governors held policy discussions on topics including infrastructure investments, strategies to continue to facilitate America’s return to work, and ways to prepare for and respond to a cyberattack.
Gov. Hutchinson hosted a discussion with Secretary Raimondo and the chief executive officers of Accenture, Land O’Lakes Inc. and Best Buy Co. Inc. regarding his NGA Chairman’s Initiative, K-12 Computer Science Education. He released a compact to advance his bipartisan initiative, in which his fellow Governors will commit to strategies for expanding computer science education in public schools, including by establishing educational standards, providing funds, and creating pathways to postsecondary success.
Gov. Hutchinson was joined by NGA Vice Chairman and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, along with their peers from around the country. Governors discussed their recent advocacy for increased investments in infrastructure by the federal government, resulting in the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November, and ways to strengthen the state-federal partnership on the issue.
During the Winter Meeting, Governors were joined by Secretary Buttigieg for a deeper dive into the details of the bipartisan legislation, and discussed state-level strategies for implementation that deliver on the act’s promise of safety, resilience and economic stimulus. In a separate panel moderated by Mr. Rubenstein, whose philanthropy includes projects to preserve and enhance monuments and documents that are central to American history, Governors held a high-level discussion on bipartisan leadership and American excellence.
The Winter Meeting is one of the two marquee annual convenings of the bipartisan organization representing Governors from the 55 states and territories. NGA’s Summer Meeting is scheduled for July in Portland, Maine.
