White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs - State-Federal Priorities Survey

The Trump Administration is committed to nurturing the State-Federal partnership. As we did last year, we are again conducting a short survey to determine your Governor’s shared 2019 State-Federal priorities. The results of the survey will help facilitate a productive State-Federal dialogue on key priorities throughout 2019. The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs appreciates each Governor providing perspective on their priorities.

Note: Responses from each state are not intended for external distribution. If easier to gather verbally, we are glad to discuss over the phone.

Dialog Questions

Adoption & Foster Care

What steps and actions can the Federal government take to improve adoption and foster care programs and policies?
How can the Federal government more proactively encourage families to be open to adoption and foster care?
What cross-State issues are faced when dealing with adopted and foster care children?

American Energy Dominance & Land Management

The Trump Administration has taken many actions to get the Federal government out of the way so American energy producers can increase American energy production in an environmentally safe and effective way, including pushing certain land management decisions to States – how can we best continue those efforts?
What areas has your State been successful in to increase energy production and/or reduce energy costs for American families, farmers, and businesses in a safe and effective way?
What plans do your States have to invest in and upgrade energy infrastructure?
How can the Federal government be a better partner when it comes to forest and land management and how can we better align to State and local planning efforts?
How can the Federal government improve coordination with States when implementing the Endangered Species Act?
In 2018, the Trump Administration implemented the One Federal Decision Making Memorandum, in an effort to streamline Federal permitting. What further improvements can be made to this process?

Broadband & Connectivity

How has your State worked to expand broadband or connectivity to rural and underserved areas?
As 5G becomes a reality, how is your State working with local and Federal leaders to anticipate any issues that may arise?
What are the challenges to maximizing connectivity?

Child Care & Paid Family Leave

The Trump Administration is committed to developing a responsible and equitable paid family leave policy. What lessons can be learned from your State and what help can you provide as we continue to develop and advance this policy at the Federal level?
What are the more effective and innovative programs in your State to assist families in securing affordable childcare?
How can the Federal government be a partner in making sure families that are just starting out have access to resources to secure their futures?
What are Federal barriers that are preventing us from best serving our citizens through Federal welfare programs (TANF, SNAP, etc.)? Where are areas where States need more flexibility to effectively administer Federal welfare programs? How can we better connect our workforce development programs with able-bodied individuals on public assistance?

Combatting Opioids & Reducing Drug Demand

What key actions has your State taken that have proved effective in drug demand reduction and addressing the opioids crisis?
How can the Federal government remove barriers to better address the opioids crisis?
How can the Federal government best partner with States on marketing initiatives regarding drug demand reduction and opioids?
How has your State successfully leveraged increased Federal funding and waivers to combat the opioids crisis and reduce drug demand?

Criminal Justice & Prison Reform

What are successful prison reform and criminal justice reform efforts that have advanced in your State?
How has your State reduced recidivism and improved reentry policies and coordination? What are specific examples of policies or initiatives that have worked in your States?
What actions at the Federal level can be taken to promote job training and reintegration of prisoners into society? As we implement the historic First Step Act, what are opportunities for reentry collaboration with State and local leaders?

Cybersecurity & IT Modernization

Has your State completed successful IT modernizations that have improved security and efficiency and are there lessons to be scaled nationally?
How can State governments in partnership with the Federal government support small businesses in cyber security preparedness?
Do you have examples of how antiquated data systems prevent coordination and holistically serving our fellow citizens?
What measures are your State taking to secure election infrastructure?
What progress needs to be made in the three areas of cybersecurity (threat data sharing, investigation, and proactive measures) to better support State and community goals?
What State-specific flexibilities are needed to enforce State privacy laws?

Higher Education Reform

What actions need to be taken to reduce the cost of higher education?
How are your States assisting American workers and students to obtain an affordable and faster postsecondary education/credential that leads to full time employment and family sustaining wages without incurring large amounts of debt?
How can your State and the Federal government partner to enabling more transparency on higher education costs and career pathways?
How can the Federal government better partner to educate students on using Federal financial resources? What State-specific examples exist?
How can the public and private sectors partner to address students with high debt?

Housing Affordability & Availability

What actions has your State taken to promote affordable housing?
What local, State, and Federal regulations block States from being able to take more meaningful action on affordable housing?
How has recent economic growth impacted housing values in your State?
Have you identified any solutions to rising housing costs and availability in either the urban or rural landscape?

Human Trafficking

What State and Federal policies must be changed to give State and local law enforcement more tools to combat human trafficking?
In what ways can we engage private and non-profit sector partners with State and Federal governments to take innovative approaches at eradicating forced labor supply chains?

Improving Health Care Competition & Drug Pricing

Health care costs have grown significantly for both the Federal government and the States – what are your ideas for controlling costs and making the very important Medicaid program more sustainable and secure?
We have made some progress in giving States more flexibility in administering the Medicaid program and being more responsive to their requests, but how can we further those efforts?
How can the Federal government work with States to improve competition and transparency in the health care space?
How have hospital closures (rural and urban) impacted your States? How can the Federal government best work with States to expand health care access?
What innovative steps can the State and Federal government take to address the rising cost of health insurance premiums?
How can the Federal government and States partner through Medicaid and other healthcare purchasing power to lower drug prices for consumers while delivering high quality healthcare?
What reforms are needed at the Federal level for States to empower consumers in the healthcare marketplace to expand choice and lower costs for prescription drugs?
What steps can the State-Federal partnership take to expand choice, protect consumers, and lower costs of prescription drugs?

Improving Infrastructure

What feedback do you have on our efforts to eliminate inefficiencies in the Federal regulatory process?
What barriers prevent the wise use of hardworking taxpayer dollars to efficiently deliver infrastructure projects? Do you have examples in your State of working through those barriers?
How can we best leverage further Federal investments in infrastructure to increase State and local infrastructure investments?
How has your State addressed infrastructure backlogs, and how have your States financed those projects?
In 2018, the Trump Administration implemented the One Federal Decision Making Memorandum, in an effort to streamline Federal permitting. What further improvements can be made to this process?

Modernizing & Rebalancing Trade

Recently, the Trump Administration signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). The Trump Administration has already finished improvements to the trade agreement with Korea. How will your State benefit from new trade agreements and how are you planning on engaging in the trade conversation? What questions do you have about any of the pending agreements, including the USMCA?
What are your recommendations to ensure more manufacturing components are sourced from the United States to help drive further growth in American manufacturing?
How can the Federal government best help to facilitate international trade and development in your State and partner with your export promotion efforts?

Natural Disasters: Risk Management, Recovery, & Resiliency

Resiliency is a shared principle across the political spectrum – what are examples of successful resiliency and mitigation programs in your State?
What barriers do you face in your efforts to access Federal programs to supplement your State’s risk management, mitigation, and recovery efforts?
The Administration has made natural disaster recovery a priority. What are the challenges to long-term recovery in your State?

Opportunity Zones, Urban Revitalization, & Rural Prosperity

Opportunity Zones represent a powerful new tool for community revitalization – in both the urban and rural setting. How is your state partnering with private enterprise and local communities to advance investment in your designated Opportunity Zones?
What are the biggest barriers to urban revitalization in your State and how can the Federal government help overcome those barriers?
How can the Federal government reform existing economic development programs to better target, streamline, and coordinate revitalization efforts in your state?
What are the key barriers preventing growth in rural America?
Do you have any rural development initiatives that you would consider best practices or successes?

Regulatory Reform

What feedback do you have on our overall deregulatory agenda and efforts to drive smart regulations?
How can we better work with State leaders to continue our regulatory reforms in partnership?
What regulatory flexibilities do you need to improve government efficiencies?

School Safety

What are specific examples of actions that schools and communities have taken in your State to protect students and teachers in schools?
A number of resources are available to schools, communities, and States from Federal agencies (DHS, DOJ, FBI, and USDOEd) regarding school safety. How can the Federal government do a better job in making sure these resources are better known and better utilized? How can you help to communicate these resources?
The Federal government recently released a report on improving school and community safety – what questions do you have about the report?
How can the Administration most effectively assist States to implement the recommendations included in the Federal Commission on School Safety report? What additional policies should the Administration consider that are not addressed by the report? Do you plan to advance school safety policies that are not included in the School Safety Commissions report? If so, what policies?

Supporting Law Enforcement

What steps can State and Federal leaders take to prevent violence against Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement Officers?
What State flexibilities are needed to address the rising crime throughout the country?
How can the federal government better support creative law enforcement approaches currently being used to tackle the Nation’s drug crisis such as using new technologies to track overdoses and overdose deaths?

Supporting Veterans & Military Families

What are best practices in your State for helping veterans and their families transition from military service to civilian life and the next steps in their career?
How can the Federal government improve the transition for veterans and their families – specifically regarding employment and reduction of veteran suicide?
State and Federal leaders have made great strides in reducing veterans’ homelessness. How can the Federal government further empower States to make further progress?

Strengthening the Defense Industrial Base

President Trump has provided historic funding levels to restore the military – how does your State or region work with the defense or manufacturing base to facilitate strengthening the industrial base and supply chain to support national security?
What are the barriers to working with or expanding the defense industry and industrial base in your State?
What are best practices or policies for the Federal government to use to encourage commercial innovation for national security?

Workforce Development, Education, Vocational Training, & Personal Empowerment

How can States and the Federal government better partner to close the skills gap?
This year the Administration prioritized STEM education in competitive grants at the Department of Education. Did stakeholders within your State apply for any of these grants? What are you doing in your states to grow STEM related skills, computer science skills in K-12 and postsecondary education?
As we look to continue incentivizing public-private partnerships to properly prepare the future workforce, what is working in your States to grow STEM skills and high-demand vocational training, including apprenticeships?
President Trump’s Pledge to America’s Workers has resulted in over 6.4 million new pledges of jobs and reskilling opportunities. How are you working with private sector partners to cultivate new economic opportunities for workers, and focus on high-demand skills in education and training? Have you made the Pledge to America’s workers?
How have Federal actions to promote school choice improved education results in your State?
How are your States encouraging schools to embrace new technologies and teaching methods to best meet the needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s workforce?
How can States better address occupational licensing requirements to ensure safety and quality while also removing barriers to portability across State lines?
What actions is your State taking to fulfill SNAP’s statutory intent to provide aid while providing assistance for able-bodied participants to return to the workforce? What were your thoughts on Secretary Perdue’s letter to Governors that focused on empowering able-bodied adults without dependents?
What are specific ways your State aligns Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF with your child support office?
How does your State human services office check eligibility in these programs to fight fraud?

Show Dialog Questions


	White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs State-Federal Priorities Survey
	The Trump Administration is committed to nurturing the State-Federal partnership. As we did last year, we are again conducting a short survey to determine your Governor’s shared 2019 State-Federal priorities. The results of the survey will help facilitate a productive State-Federal dialogue on key priorities throughout 2019. The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs appreciates each Governor providing perspective on their priorities. Note: Responses from each state are not intended for external distribution. If easier to gather verbally, we are glad to discuss over the phone.

	First Name *
	Last Name *
	Email Address *
	1. What are the top six priority areas that your governor would welcome further dialogue and coordination with Federal leaders? * (Use the CTRL key to select more than one response. You may select up to 6 responses.)
	2. Are there any priorities not mentioned in this survey that your Governor would like to discuss at the White House Business Session or in future collaborations? *
	3. In your top priority areas, what are some of the questions/areas you are particularly interested in exploring? * Note: See the State-Federal Dialogue Questions at the bottom of this form for some initial questions for consideration.
	4. What recommendations do you have for the Federal or State governments to improve the State-Federal partnership? *

	Save Cancel

Show Dialog Questions Dialog Questions Adoption & Foster Care What steps and actions can the Federal government take to improve adoption and foster care programs and policies? How can the Federal government more proactively encourage families to be open to adoption and foster care? What cross-State issues are faced when dealing with adopted and foster care children? American Energy Dominance & Land Management The Trump Administration has taken many actions to get the Federal government out of the way so American energy producers can increase American energy production in an environmentally safe and effective way, including pushing certain land management decisions to States – how can we best continue those efforts? What areas has your State been successful in to increase energy production and/or reduce energy costs for American families, farmers, and businesses in a safe and effective way? What plans do your States have to invest in and upgrade energy infrastructure? How can the Federal government be a better partner when it comes to forest and land management and how can we better align to State and local planning efforts? How can the Federal government improve coordination with States when implementing the Endangered Species Act? In 2018, the Trump Administration implemented the One Federal Decision Making Memorandum, in an effort to streamline Federal permitting. What further improvements can be made to this process? Broadband & Connectivity How has your State worked to expand broadband or connectivity to rural and underserved areas? As 5G becomes a reality, how is your State working with local and Federal leaders to anticipate any issues that may arise? What are the challenges to maximizing connectivity? Child Care & Paid Family Leave The Trump Administration is committed to developing a responsible and equitable paid family leave policy. What lessons can be learned from your State and what help can you provide as we continue to develop and advance this policy at the Federal level? What are the more effective and innovative programs in your State to assist families in securing affordable childcare? How can the Federal government be a partner in making sure families that are just starting out have access to resources to secure their futures? What are Federal barriers that are preventing us from best serving our citizens through Federal welfare programs (TANF, SNAP, etc.)? Where are areas where States need more flexibility to effectively administer Federal welfare programs? How can we better connect our workforce development programs with able-bodied individuals on public assistance? Combatting Opioids & Reducing Drug Demand What key actions has your State taken that have proved effective in drug demand reduction and addressing the opioids crisis? How can the Federal government remove barriers to better address the opioids crisis? How can the Federal government best partner with States on marketing initiatives regarding drug demand reduction and opioids? How has your State successfully leveraged increased Federal funding and waivers to combat the opioids crisis and reduce drug demand? Criminal Justice & Prison Reform What are successful prison reform and criminal justice reform efforts that have advanced in your State? How has your State reduced recidivism and improved reentry policies and coordination? What are specific examples of policies or initiatives that have worked in your States? What actions at the Federal level can be taken to promote job training and reintegration of prisoners into society? As we implement the historic First Step Act, what are opportunities for reentry collaboration with State and local leaders? Cybersecurity & IT Modernization Has your State completed successful IT modernizations that have improved security and efficiency and are there lessons to be scaled nationally? How can State governments in partnership with the Federal government support small businesses in cyber security preparedness? Do you have examples of how antiquated data systems prevent coordination and holistically serving our fellow citizens? What measures are your State taking to secure election infrastructure? What progress needs to be made in the three areas of cybersecurity (threat data sharing, investigation, and proactive measures) to better support State and community goals? What State-specific flexibilities are needed to enforce State privacy laws? Higher Education Reform What actions need to be taken to reduce the cost of higher education? How are your States assisting American workers and students to obtain an affordable and faster postsecondary education/credential that leads to full time employment and family sustaining wages without incurring large amounts of debt? How can your State and the Federal government partner to enabling more transparency on higher education costs and career pathways? How can the Federal government better partner to educate students on using Federal financial resources? What State-specific examples exist? How can the public and private sectors partner to address students with high debt? Housing Affordability & Availability What actions has your State taken to promote affordable housing? What local, State, and Federal regulations block States from being able to take more meaningful action on affordable housing? How has recent economic growth impacted housing values in your State? Have you identified any solutions to rising housing costs and availability in either the urban or rural landscape? Human Trafficking What State and Federal policies must be changed to give State and local law enforcement more tools to combat human trafficking? In what ways can we engage private and non-profit sector partners with State and Federal governments to take innovative approaches at eradicating forced labor supply chains? Improving Health Care Competition & Drug Pricing Health care costs have grown significantly for both the Federal government and the States – what are your ideas for controlling costs and making the very important Medicaid program more sustainable and secure? We have made some progress in giving States more flexibility in administering the Medicaid program and being more responsive to their requests, but how can we further those efforts? How can the Federal government work with States to improve competition and transparency in the health care space? How have hospital closures (rural and urban) impacted your States? How can the Federal government best work with States to expand health care access? What innovative steps can the State and Federal government take to address the rising cost of health insurance premiums? How can the Federal government and States partner through Medicaid and other healthcare purchasing power to lower drug prices for consumers while delivering high quality healthcare? What reforms are needed at the Federal level for States to empower consumers in the healthcare marketplace to expand choice and lower costs for prescription drugs? What steps can the State-Federal partnership take to expand choice, protect consumers, and lower costs of prescription drugs? Improving Infrastructure What feedback do you have on our efforts to eliminate inefficiencies in the Federal regulatory process? What barriers prevent the wise use of hardworking taxpayer dollars to efficiently deliver infrastructure projects? Do you have examples in your State of working through those barriers? How can we best leverage further Federal investments in infrastructure to increase State and local infrastructure investments? How has your State addressed infrastructure backlogs, and how have your States financed those projects? In 2018, the Trump Administration implemented the One Federal Decision Making Memorandum, in an effort to streamline Federal permitting. What further improvements can be made to this process? Modernizing & Rebalancing Trade Recently, the Trump Administration signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). The Trump Administration has already finished improvements to the trade agreement with Korea. How will your State benefit from new trade agreements and how are you planning on engaging in the trade conversation? What questions do you have about any of the pending agreements, including the USMCA? What are your recommendations to ensure more manufacturing components are sourced from the United States to help drive further growth in American manufacturing? How can the Federal government best help to facilitate international trade and development in your State and partner with your export promotion efforts? Natural Disasters: Risk Management, Recovery, & Resiliency Resiliency is a shared principle across the political spectrum – what are examples of successful resiliency and mitigation programs in your State? What barriers do you face in your efforts to access Federal programs to supplement your State’s risk management, mitigation, and recovery efforts? The Administration has made natural disaster recovery a priority. What are the challenges to long-term recovery in your State? Opportunity Zones, Urban Revitalization, & Rural Prosperity Opportunity Zones represent a powerful new tool for community revitalization – in both the urban and rural setting. How is your state partnering with private enterprise and local communities to advance investment in your designated Opportunity Zones? What are the biggest barriers to urban revitalization in your State and how can the Federal government help overcome those barriers? How can the Federal government reform existing economic development programs to better target, streamline, and coordinate revitalization efforts in your state? What are the key barriers preventing growth in rural America? Do you have any rural development initiatives that you would consider best practices or successes? Regulatory Reform What feedback do you have on our overall deregulatory agenda and efforts to drive smart regulations? How can we better work with State leaders to continue our regulatory reforms in partnership? What regulatory flexibilities do you need to improve government efficiencies? School Safety What are specific examples of actions that schools and communities have taken in your State to protect students and teachers in schools? A number of resources are available to schools, communities, and States from Federal agencies (DHS, DOJ, FBI, and USDOEd) regarding school safety. How can the Federal government do a better job in making sure these resources are better known and better utilized? How can you help to communicate these resources? The Federal government recently released a report on improving school and community safety – what questions do you have about the report? How can the Administration most effectively assist States to implement the recommendations included in the Federal Commission on School Safety report? What additional policies should the Administration consider that are not addressed by the report? Do you plan to advance school safety policies that are not included in the School Safety Commissions report? If so, what policies? Supporting Law Enforcement What steps can State and Federal leaders take to prevent violence against Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement Officers? What State flexibilities are needed to address the rising crime throughout the country? How can the federal government better support creative law enforcement approaches currently being used to tackle the Nation’s drug crisis such as using new technologies to track overdoses and overdose deaths? Supporting Veterans & Military Families What are best practices in your State for helping veterans and their families transition from military service to civilian life and the next steps in their career? How can the Federal government improve the transition for veterans and their families – specifically regarding employment and reduction of veteran suicide? State and Federal leaders have made great strides in reducing veterans’ homelessness. How can the Federal government further empower States to make further progress? Strengthening the Defense Industrial Base President Trump has provided historic funding levels to restore the military – how does your State or region work with the defense or manufacturing base to facilitate strengthening the industrial base and supply chain to support national security? What are the barriers to working with or expanding the defense industry and industrial base in your State? What are best practices or policies for the Federal government to use to encourage commercial innovation for national security? Workforce Development, Education, Vocational Training, & Personal Empowerment How can States and the Federal government better partner to close the skills gap? This year the Administration prioritized STEM education in competitive grants at the Department of Education. Did stakeholders within your State apply for any of these grants? What are you doing in your states to grow STEM related skills, computer science skills in K-12 and postsecondary education? As we look to continue incentivizing public-private partnerships to properly prepare the future workforce, what is working in your States to grow STEM skills and high-demand vocational training, including apprenticeships? President Trump’s Pledge to America’s Workers has resulted in over 6.4 million new pledges of jobs and reskilling opportunities. How are you working with private sector partners to cultivate new economic opportunities for workers, and focus on high-demand skills in education and training? Have you made the Pledge to America’s workers? How have Federal actions to promote school choice improved education results in your State? How are your States encouraging schools to embrace new technologies and teaching methods to best meet the needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s workforce? How can States better address occupational licensing requirements to ensure safety and quality while also removing barriers to portability across State lines? What actions is your State taking to fulfill SNAP’s statutory intent to provide aid while providing assistance for able-bodied participants to return to the workforce? What were your thoughts on Secretary Perdue’s letter to Governors that focused on empowering able-bodied adults without dependents? What are specific ways your State aligns Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF with your child support office? How does your State human services office check eligibility in these programs to fight fraud? Show Dialog Questions

Adoption & Foster Care
American Energy Dominance & Land Management
Broadband & Connectivity
Child Care & Paid Family Leave
Combatting Opioids & Reducing Drug Demand
Criminal Justice & Prison Reform
Cyber Security & IT Modernization
Higher Education Reform
Housing Affordability & Availability
Human Trafficking
Improving Health Care Competition & Drug Pricing
Improving Infrastructure
Modernizing & Rebalancing Trade & Growing Exports – Including Passing the USMCA
Natural Disasters: Risk Management, Response, Recovery, & Resiliency
Opportunity Zones, Urban Revitalization, & Rural Prosperity
Regulatory Reform
School Safety
Strengthening the Defense Industrial Base
Supporting Law Enforcement
Supporting Veterans & Military Families
Workforce Development, Education, Vocational Training, & Personal Empowerment