| Chapter 1: | Governors and the National Governors Association (NGA) |
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the federal level. This perspective was developed from the existing literature which, for the most part, concludes that gubernatorial strength is at a historical high point because of internal state reforms (e.g., Dometrius 1999) and because of devolution of power to the states in the 1990s. Additionally, I drew upon the research that has generally shown the NGA to be an effective lobbying organization that represents the governors and their states (Cammisa 1995; Haider 1974). The primary focus of this study is on the factors—both internal and external—that impact the ability of governors to influence policy at the federal level.
I utilized a mixed-method approach to carry out this study. Specifically, I conducted three case studies to determine the factors that impacted the ability of the NGA to secure favorable federal policy outcomes on three separate issues. These case studies are supplemented with a quantitative look at the factors that could impact the ability of governors to shape federal policy. Because there are numerous ways in which governors can influence federal policy, it is acknowledged that this research endeavor is a modest, yet important, contribution toward developing a fuller understanding of U.S. governors and their power to mold policy throughout the federal structure of government.
How Governors are Able to Influence
Policy Outside Their Home States
Because of the quasi-unitary nature of state governments, governors have numerous avenues through which they can impact policy within their home states. For example, governors can use formal powers to execute tasks like signing legislation into law. They can also use constitutional prerogatives to affect local governments directly. Moreover, governors can exercise their considerable control over state agencies, boards, commissions,