marco rubio. >> and the most important issue to me is national service. there are more than five million young americans that are ready to step forward and serve their country for a year with programs like americorps, the peace corps. >> governors from across the country have been meeting here in washington over the weekend for their annual winter meeting, and today is the last day. national governors' association chair, governor gary herbert of utah, will deliver remarks at the closing session today. this is live on c-span2. [inaudible conversations]

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[inaudible conversations] >> well, today is the last day of the national governors' association winter meeting. the governors have been meeting through the weekend, and the chair, governor gary herbert of

utah, is set to offer closing remarks. he's also going to talk about his initiative called states finding solutions and improving lives. we're also told there'll be a panel discussion after that with current and former governors who have served in the senate. they'll talk about the state/federal relationship and the importance of state leadership. this should get underway in just a moment here. itthis is live on c-span2.

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[inaudible conversations] >> ladies and gentlemen, please find your seats. we'll begin the program in two minutes. [inaudible conversations]

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[inaudible conversations] >> governors, i think we're ready to begin. welcome, one and all. it's good to see you here this morning. we had a great opportunity to gather at the white house last night and be hosted by the president and the vice president and the first and second ladies. it was great to see you all. i think we all enjoyed ourselves and had a good chance to just kind of in a casual environment, although we were in black tie, associate one with another. so good to see you this morning, and we enjoyed last evening. as i call the meeting to order, we welcome you all. one thing we need to make note of is the passing of governor enos who passed away december 29th of this past year. and so if you'd join with me as we pay tribute to the governor and his service with a moment of silence in his passing.

thank you. as we get started here, let me just make a little bit of a reminder. i know we have some slides that have been going on, and we've talked about this in our opening session, but my initiative really on states finding solutions, improving people's lives is an opportunity for us to really highlight the successes of the respective states. i know in this town we seem to be concerned and see observation of some dysfunctionalty and a propensity to kind of kick the can down the road and not solve problems. and yet the states are having great success in dealing the respect i issues -- respective issues of their states and regions with innovation and creativity, bringing people together from the private and public sector and finding significant solutions.

and so we plan to highlight that. we have 83 recommendations so far. we'd like to have more. want to make sure that every state is recognized with two or three different issues. and we will compile that and be presented to each and every one of you and others at our summer meetings in iowa. and and i know on behalf of governor terry branstad we want to make sure that you put that on your calendar for this next july. and we'll have that opportunity to have this booklet which will, again, highlight the successes of your states. and there's a lot of them going on. it's quite encouraging as i are had these come in is as we've tried to spotlight your successes, the great successes that are taking place. for example, in mississippi phil bryant has led an innovative effort to reform the state's

criminal justice system, something now that is being taken up and talked about here in washington, d.c. by our congress. and rather than just warehousing inmates, there's a significant effort to do rehabilitation and see if we can address the root causes of their issues and see if we can't help them transition back into society. and so phil's doing a great job there in mississippi. governor bentley in alabama has announced a plan to reform the state's medicaid system by increasing the efficiency and improving the patient care. and, again, the medicaid system is has certainly been something we've had since the late 1960s, and the about for us -- the ability for us as states to modify and improve and find more efficiencies, he's doing what he calls regional care organizations which rewards providers for delivering quality health care outcomes instead of just simply reimbursing them for the services that they complete.

in virginia terry mcauliffe recently launched a landmark legislation to protect individuals' rights when it comes to digital identity and improve the ability of the state to prosecute cyber crime. they have more cybersecurity companies in virginia than any state east of the rockies. so it'll be fitting that governor mcauliffe and his state would help to lead out in that effort. and even in my own home state of utah, i'm proud of the fact that on a difficult and emotional issue when it comes to balancing lgbt rights with those of religious rights, finding the ability to do that and bring people together is a unique situation that we've had in utah. and we created legislation that respects both sides' rights and concerns and put it in one bill. we said that if you bring one bill up, i will veto it. if you bring another bill up on the other side, i will veto

that. so we forced people, and they were willing to work together and come up with a piece of legislation. and as most of you know, utah's a pretty red state, a very religious state. and if we can get it right in utah, it's an example for how we can get it right on this and other issues around the country. so i'm proud of the work of the states and you and what you're doing to, in fact, find solutions, be innovative and creative in what you address and how you address it. as i say, at the end of the day, it's really about people. it's what we do with the people we represent and what we can do to help improve their lives. so congratulations to one and all, and we look forward to this compilation of your successes, and we'll display that to the rest of the country. part of the effort too, i think, as we've talked about with my initiative is really to bring back and restore if it's out of balance -- and i think that it is -- the balance of power between the states and the federal government. again, part of the challenge as i see it in the country is that

we the people are asking our federal delegations to do more than probably was ever envisioned by our founding fathers. it's not that there's, you know, not good, competent people and even what we kind of look at some of the hyperpartisanship, i think we just are used to asking, and our congressional delegation is wanting to accommodate. and so heir doing more and more -- they're doing more and more. and i believe that the states ought to be the ones that are probably the first line of defense and the people of america should be asking our governors, asking their local officials and their mayors and county commissioners. that's really where we have, i think, more efficiency and more effective use of the taxpayers' dollars and deal closer with the people as opposed to the remoteness we find in washington d.c. i think what we talk about today is not only highlighting the solutions that come from the states but also making sure we have this federal partnership with the states that is working

and probably working better if we put our minds to it better than it is today. the concept of federalism and reinvigorating that concept as envisioned by our founding fathers and by most of us here is one i think we can do and improve, again, people's lives by finding solutions that are at the state level. so today as i focus on that, as we together focus on this, we have some very special guests here with us. all former governors and now working here in washington, d.c. or have worked in washington, d.c. in different capacities, and we're honored to have them here. so, first, i'm going to call upon governor bill hasland to introduce senator lamar alexander. then we'll have governor earl ray tomlin to introduce senator joe manchin. then we'll call on vice chair governor terry mcauliffe from virginia to introduce senator mark warner. and then i'll come back and

introduce the former governor of idaho, former senator and member of the cabinet, dirk kempthorn. so, bill? >> being the governor of your home state is a great honor and a great privilege, and one of the things that makes my job wonderful is to have our senior senator be someone who was a governor himself. so i never have to call to washington to explain the state's perspective on something because lamar alexander probably knows that state's -- our state's perspective on it better than i do. he has been an incredible advocate for the states' role in our government, and i think he has been one of the architects of, i think, one with of the most significant pieces of legislation to happen in the last decade. so it gives me great privilege to introduce my friend, my mentor, my very first political boss and the senior senator -- not senior citizen -- [laughter] i just about got in big trouble! i just about ruined all that. the senior senator from

tennessee, lamar alexander. [laughter] i'll hear about that later. [applause] >> well, it's my pleasure to introduce my senior citizen -- [laughter] i do like that. it is really my honor to introduce a longtime friend of mine, senator joe manchin. we worked together as state senators and we're able to do a lot of good things that we're still continuing to work on today and making west virginia a better place. time as governor, i was the senate president and lieutenant governor and, you know, we had a great working relationship, and i'm very proud of all the things that we've been able to do together. joe was always one of those people as governor who always, you know, would reach across the aisle to both parties and work together. it was very successful at our state. and i know he continues to try to do that in the united states senate today, so, ladies and gentlemen, it's indeed my pleasure to introduce our senior

senator, senator joe manchin. [applause] >> it's my honor to introduce our senior senator, mark warner. mark was a spectacular governor of the commonwealth of virginia. he's been the in the senate first elected in 2008, reelected in 2014. mark, as you know, comes from a strong business background, was once of the pie finish was one of the pioneers of the or -- and he has been a leader in the united states senate about trying to get our debt under control, about trying to get our checks and balances in order at the federal government, and we are so blessed in virginia to have him as our senior senator. so it's my honor, and i will include patrick henry and thomas jefferson, the greatst governor in the -- greatest governor in the history of the commonwealth of virginia, mark warner. [laughter] [applause]

>> well, this is an esteemed group here. it's my opportunity and privilege to introduce governor dirk kempthorn. it's probably befitting me because we affectionately refer to utah as northern idaho anyway. [laughter] governor, we're honored to have you here. president and ceo of the american council of life insurers. he started his public service as a mayor in boise, idaho. comes from local government, which i have a great affection for. elected to the senate in 993 where he offered the unfunded mandates reform act. after one term in the senate, he returned to idaho to run for governor, was elected there, and in 2006 he was appointed secretary of the interior by president george w. bush where he served with great distinction. so it's an honor to have with us governor dirk kempthorn. [applause]

four former governors who have worked in the federal branch of government here, and we -- as governors -- just finished recently giving our state of the state addresses and talking about what has taken place and recognizing successes and challenges and looking to the visions of the future. so i'm going to pose the question and get us started here of asking you as our panel the question, what is the state of our state/federal relationships? and what do you see today, and what do you see as a way for us to go forward and improve them? and so we'll start with senator lamar alexander, and we'll just kind of go down the list here. ..

which creates a unique opportunity and ea, ast, governors, everybody really got fed up with the idea of washington telling everybody what to do. you improved relationships. second thing we can do to prove it better. number one, implement the law. it's not worth the paper it written on.

the marketplace fairness act and how could she make it better. let me as an example. we will take on congressman's history. the way to pass the act that causes tendency not to select $700 million, texas can collect 1.8 leading dollars because congress won't allow a state to collect sales tax from everybody including people who buy from out-of-state sellers. how do you persuade people to vote for that? here is what i would recommend. the governor has been meeting in jackson, tennessee, not here at home. second, he indicts 50 small-business people in that district to meet with him. and then let them answer for

congressman fincher the question, why would you prefer out-of-state businesses to last? why would you put us at a disadvantage? as i told a group yesterday, and a governor in his home state outranks everybody by protocol except the then president of the united states and outside of his home state the outbreaks almost nobody. or she peered at home you are the big dog, have a big meeting their come and buy 50 businesspeople and you'll get votes for that. the state of relations is improving if the focus on a couple big things like implementing the educational and pass marketplace fairness. speaker ryan has said there will be about in the house this year and marketplace fairness. the chafe its bill another bill. second, senator mcconnell said there will be a vote in the senate. you've got a clear opportunity to pass the bill this year.

it will be affixed on no child left behind, one of the most successful years governors have ever had. >> governor mansion. >> thank you so much. it's an honor to be here. probably the best times of our lives in this organization. all four chairs and i really says a lot for the organization. maybe not. i am not sure. anyway, brings back fond memory is to be with my colleagues. lamarche on part of the coalition and we need desperately -- every one of you need that desperately. the basic fairness we are trying to make sure happen. i appreciate that. also the no child left nine bringing the states more authority over that and giving some direction. i think it is tremendous. omar shepherd that there appeared than they talk about

addiction. basically 80% of all the crime centers dates, each one of us, the crimes are committed because of drug addiction of some sort. your presence over field, budget their strained. you are being challenged every way possible. we have a hard time. 20 years ago i said anyone who uses a drug is a criminal. what we found out is that has over 20 years later we haven't cured anybody anybody. we haven't fixed anything. certain guidelines have to be changed. ours were of little bits tepid as far as stepping over the line and we need to do that. going on addictions and we need to look at how they put all these drugs on the market, the more powerful drugs that are really needed in all this has to be done. the guidelines need to be changed in the treatment centers

how we take care of the treatment enters. we don't have enough treatments -- to hardly help find what direction we go there. over regulation, and we are all citing the overreach of you will. it's been very difficult. as former governors refight about the 10th amendment. we keep reminding our our colleagues the 10th amendment is sacred to a lot of us and i think our founding founding have pretended for this place called america to be run out of washington. we need the job and let you give me the overview. also the national guard. we look at our national guard and finally got national guard status, joint chiefs of staff. it's extremely important and it's taken a while. the army hasn't come on as agreeable as they should. they transition wonderfully. we will have some changes going

on. i think you need to look at the reserve component, national guard component and now we can do that effectively and efficiently. it's a wonderful experience. the hard thing is that patients. my friend mark over here, my recruiter if you would say that, but basically as governor every morning to get up anxious to do something. facility who wake up ready to do it again. that doesn't always happen. so you take every small step. i will give you one we were able to change from schedule three to schedule two. they were flooding the market. i do not, we took that to schedule two. it took a billion pills off the market. i know we saved some lives. there's so much more we can do. they grab one little piece

because we can with your help change the country in late the world. i'm honored to be a part of this group of the nga and i would encourage you all, please keep the nonpartisan participation as much as you possibly can. you are the last ones we have hope to come work together to get something accomplished. thank you. >> thank you. >> mr. chairman, mr. vice chairman and governors all, this is an impressive setting because we are still the united states of america, not the federal government of america. mr. chairman, i want to commend you for your initiatives, federal state relations. let me remind you of the pedigree that governors have when welfare reform occurred in the united states of america, it

was not by congress. it was when the governors led to reform the master, no question. when you look at the issues you had before you, when i was in the senate and bob dole the majority leader named our efforts to reform unfunded federal mandate number one, wonderful american, john fled when he was in space. i will tell you once again it was the governors. it was mayors. i remember distinctly senator of louisiana calling me insane i don't know all the details of your legislation to stop the sun under federal mandate, but i will say this. i have had a steady stream of mayors and governors here. put me down as a cosponsor. please, please, governors do not underestimate the power of the governors of the united states of america.

i remember when i was governors standing before my legislator. i said symbolically, if this is the budget of our state, this 1 dollar bill and then i held up a nickel. i said 5 cents is the discussion we have. everything else i would imagine your discretion continues to decline. i had a nice lunch friday with governor branstad. as we pointed out in iowa, the $200 million of new revenue generated, and if they do not have more control over medicaid, all of the 200 million will be consumed. when you think of the baby boomers that are retiring at the rate of 10,000 a day for the next 15 years, many of whom are not ready for retirement. longevity is a blessing. many people will live far longer

than they thought. those that hit age 65 to 70% wanted long-term care. the long-term care is 2.5 years. you will pay for that? stay flow. when i was chair, mr. chairman, my initiative was long-term care. at that time, 104 companies provided long-term care policies. today it is their team. we need a solution. we need a solution on infrastructure. i am proud to be part after 23 years of public service, to join an industry that exists to help people and not their motivation for being a public servant, we are the number one u.s. investor corporate boss. on average 17 years. we have a great opportunity for investment. normally about 1% to 2% of those

corporation for holy ghost had municipal state bonds. when the build america bonds were released, the industry but 35%. they put the pedal to the metal. as you look for sources for capital, infrastructure to stop these aging bridges and collapse on the horizon, working together with the private sector. i'm not an advocate. they may be flawed in how they are written, but i will tell you, you have the capability you, ladies and gentlemen, as leaders of the state to come forward and to be the leaders of reform that i think members of congress will appreciate and support if you give them that opportunity. and for this occasion. >> thank you. [applause] >> i want to re-acknowledge.

i think you've all probably gotten to know him a little bit. why don't we get them to come out of his shell. 36 years he and i have been friends. it is great to see him. we are all in the recovering governors club had one of my fondest memories when we were chair nga, 50 of us came together and sat a common high school graduation rate standard. up until 2005 there is no definition or high school graduation. you'd think that should be a big thing. if you are going to compare, which we need to do. i'm going to make two points. probably my single biggest ipo in a little bit of what joe said, this single biggest disappointment i've had since i've been in the senate because

we were able to wrestle this to the ground and as governor of virginia and democrat, we still got it done in terms of getting finances fixed. i thought the overwhelming logic of the challenges around our national debt would generate an opportunity. i was later of the gang of six. i make the comment that there were communities of america were being a gang member is a good thing, where we put together the plans. it was not perfect by any means, but it sure would've gotten us better than where we are right now because when my other party talks about it, we are now at $19 trillion in debt. it is going up on a daily basis. i point this out. there was a moment in time when i think we could push this through. we were not unsuccessful with

just a couple of quick factoid, mention has been made by medicare, social security. go to a college campus today. is that a number in virginia. ask any group of younger people how many expect to have received medicare social security. you will find virtually zero take-up rate. at the same time, some little factoid we have the world's most complicated tax code by far, yet some of you may want to throw stuff at me when i say this. when you add together state, local and federal tax on a per capita basis out of the 31st destination in the world, we were 31st. the most complicated tax system, yet we were at way down the bottom of the barrel, yet we have an entitlement system nobody believes it's going to take place. at $19 trillion in debt,

interest rates go up 1%, which they will. that alone adds $130 billion a year in interest rate payments. that is a straight line. that is more than we spend on homeland security and federal tob combined. this notion because our deficits have gone down for a couple years that we're out of the woods, this is a lipid, rushing back and you will bear the burden of it because you are where the rubber hits the road. so any ability to continue to urge us in washington, candidly a few years back we could've had 70 votes on the floor in the senate on a comprehensive tax reform plan. we need your help. second point. this goes to federal state relations, but it's also an opportunity to get ahead uninitiated that hasn't yet

polluted into democrat republican. i spent the last 10 months looking at the one component of our economy that is in many ways the fastest-growing sector job growth wise connecticut area that does another full name at this point, so you know you're in the right spot. the on-demand economy or the sharing economy and we also have a tragedy last night with the uber driver. but this is uber, caribbean v. and the ability for people to monetize their apartment or a host of things that is totally unprecedented. the upside of this is that it gives people enormous flexibility that they've never been able to have before in a traditional workspace. the downside is if we create a world where 60, 70, 80% of the workforce is in effect an

independent contract here, we have absolutely no social contracts. things are going well until they don't go well and they will then fall back upon the basic government assistance programs. our legal structure right now has a binary racial bucket this. it are a or 1099. quite honestly, what was created in the 30s and 40s i don't think will fully work as well at the 21st century. we have the ability whether done at the federal level are more likely to local and state level to almost reimagine what is social contract will look like. we have a chance to think about portability of that of his that might be carried with the individual because candidly more and more people will have a single job. they will receive a series of revenue stream that right now we

have no ability to aggravate together and travel with that person. an issue that is not democrat republican or liberal conservative brinkley has federal data implications, but a lot of them in terms of experimentation could be done at the state or local level is the idea of getting the social contract rate in the 21st century set tour of the economy that i will make of somebody terry mentioned the fact back in the early 80s i was smart enough -- lucky enough to get into cell phones when everybody thought i was crazy. this factor as we think about work being transformed, i will close with this, kind of a full-fledged job into a series of tasks. i spent about an hour with the grim on the subject and that they can put things in terms better than i can. you are saying is simply a job is like your cable package.

you have to buy the whole cable package to get espn and a couple of other channels. now you can buy all the car. unfortunately, there is good and bad. no longer you have to buy the whole person. you will be able to buy individual skill and monetize that on an individual basis. good site and bad side of that, trying to get out of the binary choice is the only two options. we can think about the future past. thank you. [applause] >> thank you offer your presentations. we have about 20 minutes now for questions and i'm sure that our panel can give us some great and type in answers to questions. my question really would be as you about kind of been there, done that as governors, what

tip, what piece of advice would you give to us all as governors to help us become more effect did and our jobs and our respective state. let's start in reverse order, will start with you and go down that way. but that be okay? >> i think one of the things that is never going to get you very much attention, but if you can keep pounding at home, i think the argument that skype now between big government and small government is false choice. people want effective government in trying to find ways. he did a great job of this when he was treasurer, finding ways we can deliver more in effective government whether purchasing power, better management of your real estate portfolio, a host of things you can do as governor

candidate may not get you a lot of attention, but you keep pounding that home for a long time and you can earn a lot of the respect of your voters are better stewards of tax dollars. >> the fact you are at the same table is strength. you may have different political parties. i am seated here with three friends of mine. i will tell you bout to a lesser one party in two of us the other party, that doesn't enter into it. when there is good public policy that is somehow going to advance the greater cause, these friend tested united. we will continue to do so. on this issue as you choose is your priority, make this your locker room. if you've got to throw punches, throw them in here. bleeding here. then when you go out, the team is together.

i mentioned how you get some of these things time. on the safe drinking water act, which is still the law books, my partner there was bob kerrey of nebraska. and the senate,, until one party have 60 senators, you have a 60-point role that he will not be able to overcome unless he somehow figure out how to do this together. also, members of congress appreciate cover so that if they have to take a test vote, if they can point to the fact the national governors had made this an issue that they have stood united, you give them cover and that's significant. you know the world of politics. when we think about all of these issues we have, in the state of

washington, 17 states dealing with this issue is state run retirement plans to try to be a solution. the state of washington, the industry with aarp and we came up with a workable solution. when new jersey passed legislation that was not favorable, i suggested to governor christie is somehow they could adapt the language of the state of washington, it would be very successful. in the state of new jersey they have an interesting tool. the conditional veto. he notified to be so these conditions are met. to the credit of governor, he provided the language to the new jersey legislature and it was adopted. mr. chairman, what i would say in the state relations, please realize what you can accomplish together a few, locker room on

an issue, to issues that are your priority and you stand united. you will be successful. >> thank you. senator mentioned, over the years in the political arena i've learned there are two things you don't waste as a leader and not as crisis and a mandate. it is going to happen in your state. you have a crisis or a mandate to do some thing. he should be evaluating what you would like to do. if that evolves to where there's a crisis, god for bid, you better be ready to make a change. if there's a mandate for people to demand change be taken, i think that would be the thing i would recommend. i often set back i think 10 of us as former governors, i wasn't there at that time, there is still time of president obama got elected.

i think if he huddled with the governors and said what would you do, the first thing we do is look at the budgets. what can you do? it might have helped a little bit bringing the country a little different direction. i would say to all of you, take an opportunity of the relationship you've built. i called chad and said i saw some education. my good friend mitch, what is going on? how come you soldier road? he says let me tell you, i think it is going to work out for me. we had a great reporter with all of them. i hope you all take advantage and find out you're going to hit some rough spots, but also you've done something as innovative and creative that your friends about to share and i think you should do that.

don't waste a crisis or a mandate. god forbid if either one of them are the crisis will hit you at the least expected time. be ready to take advantage quickly. i had to do it with the changes in mind of safety and i think i worked with john hunt said in john did the same thing in utah. it is a great opportunity here and i hope you will continue to expand on it. >> thank you, senator. senator alexander. >> thanks, governor. the best tip i got was what tip about being governor publisher in tennessee gave me a look written by george reidy who was lyndon johnson's press secretary. within a hundred deposition and when i read it, i thought that maybe what a governor does. i think the most important thing about being governor is figuring out what the job is. people do it in a lot of different ways.

chief ceremonial person, all sorts of things you can do. three things. one, develop a strategy to meet the need and three, persuade at least half the people you're right. see an urgent need, develop a strategy to meet the need, persuade half the people you're right. sort of the governors moses. i think that is right. the best governors i have known have been capable of those three things. the only thing i add to it based on experience is once you find that originate and develop a strategy that seems to be worked in any persuaded half the people you are right, double down on it. don't look for something else to do. if you do one thing, that's pretty good. you might do too. i've watched higher education. he started out on k-12. they did a really good job

there. they got into higher education, which is a hard nut to crack. my sense of it as he got in and successfully built on the further governor's proposal paca-based universities graduating students more rapidly. then he came up with a plan for free community college, which doesn't cost that much. he figured that out. the state does, not the federal government. the first state to do it. now he's giving the regional universities, those cities to the teachers college for independence by having their own boards. there is a chance when he finishes he will back and say i knew more about higher education and adult education than anything else and i think it's because he saw a need to persuade half the people he was right and he doubled down on it. >> thank you, senator. i will open up for questions.

>> we are still working on persuading half the people. after listening to the four of you, the next constitutional amendment should be to serve in washington you have to be in state government affairs. if all members were like you -- [inaudible] what did you learn in washington that you wish you had known when you were governor about how to be more effective in washington? as governor. >> we are still working on that one. what issues are in washington that if we'd known this as governor i could've been a governor is related to my issues with washing them. >> i will give you a short answers a short answer is that there will be time for the others. i would have all my meetings with members of congress in my home state without their constituents.

i wouldn't even there to come to washington to see a member of congress. i would do it at home because you can have more impact. the second thing i would do is as a member of the national governors association, i would limit my object is to one or two a year and throw the whole garbage can -- the low cloud of this operation on what day. we did that in 85 and 86. bill clinton and i were in charge of it then. we did it in 89, education and when terry was fair. president h.w. bush had the national education goals. we did it in 96 as others mentioned on welfare reform. if you do it this year and implement team no child left behind and passing marketplace fairness, which you can do, i wouldn't have known that as well when i was governor. i would have all my meetings at home with congressman and i

would limit it to one or two great big things. >> very quickly. i never realized how many congresspeople did not have any idea how states operate. i never realized that. unless you're a state legislature or governor, you wouldn't have the idea or the knowledge of the workings of the states and with the responsibility states have. with that i would have worked -- i'll never forget when the affordable care act was coming in, i am thinking in ways that the governor and i was going in as chairman and we were all talking and we were on calls for senators. i said i may make sure i understand you. we have to find ways and all the things going on at that time.

i said obviously in good shape at that time, i had to create a whole in order to get the money. why don't you create a loan program? i'll never forget arnold schwarzenegger. i need $40 billion. who's going to tell them you're not going to get 40 billion? it wasn't in a beanie. the bottom line is the federal government doesn't understand if we have to use them as a bogeyman, i can't get the changes in state government that need to be changed unless i use the federal government. i said let us borrow the money that we need to borrow with favorable rates and we will make the changes in arctic change the direction of ours they in a better financial position than the bottom sellout. i don't think they understood in washington, so i've explained to washington ensured they do at

the states can do best. they can make much better than we can. we can allow them to find a success that works. sometimes we start with one size fits all and it just doesn't work. i would have been able to push a little bit harder working through the organization for a better voice on the hill. those of us who have been here reached down and say what is this going on, what is your class prayer at the weather is marketplace fairness, whatever it may be with a new highway bill. it took us 10 years but the five-year bill in each state to be looking at how you invest the money. things like that. i just felt i'm surprised to find out how many people did not understand and don't understand basically all states have balanced budgets or most of the states did. they were mandated to look at resources they had to pay for what they felt was a priority.

>> governor, a graduate of woozy state university and proud of that. they achieved in american samoa. the efforts we've had of the virgin islands. i will tell you as united states senator, when ceo was on the schedule, we prepared. you are ceos. you are the governors. and though, if you make the case to your citizens back home, you share those constituents with those members of congress that represent yours date. if you talk about the discussion, if you talk about what is happening to your budget, the burgeoning situation of the budget, the people when they call them members of congress, you may be the ones that provide the appropriate

message, the aqua chamber, have your data together, know what you are doing, know what the game plan is. the national governors association has a work group on infrastructure. i would encourage you to come up with a solution because we have identified a source of capital. i think it is difficult for anybody in public office to think in terms of a 10 year plan for a 20 year plan because we are in two or four year election cycles. i will say january of this year i was in baghdad in idaho to come back and to have appreciation expressed to me that 10 years ago when i was governor i put in place a billion dollars road and bridges program in the last of the projects was completed and they wanted to come back. members there in the audience

said governor, you may recall we didn't support you at the time, but you are right. so i would ask you to expand your horizons beyond the election 10 year plan for the well-being of your stay combined for the united stated. >> governor, what i would say, two things i wish i would've known and i have never been a legislature. this may just be an overall comments about legislators. i didn't fully appreciate how much been a member of congress actually get the bill passed, they think okay, i am done, job is over. as a governor you realize getting legislation passed as the first step because of how it is implemented affects people's

lives. never underestimate the willingness of members of congress of both political parties to show great political courage by taking away revenue source for this day. [laughter] >> that is the concern all right. any other questions we have for our panel? let me just ask one last question. as past members of this organization tell us what you think in hind sight we should do and what can we do to elevate the national governors association and have more impact on policies here in the city and

although we should be coequal partners, we are sometimes an afterthought and sometimes we are not being paid attention to. yet we see historically many times the states have led and the congress has responded and listened. we kind of feel sometimes that is way named. so my recommendation would you give two s. to elevate the nga come at the national governors association where it can be more effect did as a voice for state right? we will go with you, governor, first and senator mentioned and senator warner and back to senator alexander. >> governor herbert, my compliments to you for pushing this issue. when 9-1-1 had combat the terrorist attack on american soil, the role that governors played with incredible. we were the first tsa's.

the governors called up the national guard and put them in the airports. we didn't know what was going to take place. governors for front and center and not after. if you have katrina, governors are the ones that deliver. i could show you the chart of how many see what 30s the federal government flew versus the national guard, the air guard. it is like 80%. when i called kathleen blank, when i called rick perry, haley barbour that we were being hit by katrina. i said what can i do for you? he said he won't believe this, we are out of fuel. i said is his though critical that it is worthy of a conflict from idaho to mississippi? he said without question. i said at some point in the future make sure the paperwork catches up because governors

know how to make things happen. you need to look at the history of the governors have taken the spotlight and have shown because he will shine. you are going to the white house i believe that this period in that wonderful, historic senate, in addition to speaking, to the president of the united states you have many staff members. issues such as a proposed fiduciary role that we really believe as well as how it was really will have a dampening effect on middle that went from americans getting the advice they need as they prepare for retirement security. if you haven't embraced the, therefore more people will ultimately and medicaid. so i would just encourage you to

realize there have been significant on the history of this country at the country had turned to the governors and governors are pragmatists. the fact you said here and it does not note republican or democrat, i think when joe was saying it would call different governors of a different party, we are not in competition. governor sandoval, if you had a program that was working, i would call you and you would gladly share with me because we are not in competition. maybe later we will be. right now and you were ceos. you are the leaders of these 50 states and territories. sees that moment. >> governor herbert, thank you for allowing us to come before you. the best memories i have of being public service. i want to thank my good friend who really made my job as governor one of the most

pleasant jobs and i know how important that is. i always would say i would tell people around my state, government should be your partner. i will be the best partner you've ever had. i was that the government has partnerships. people have relied to where we are going to cure all their problems and we can't. i have said i'm going to help those who want to help themselves. with that i formed a partnership here and we need to do that again. united states of america is the hope of the world. you had a lot of meetings thank you a lot of things and set a lot of things i wish i didn't have to, but i do. with that being said, we are still the hope of the world. i was asked and i know you are all asked whether schools are town hall meetings how you

become the leader. what does it take to be a beater? he been elected to the highest position in your state. i had a little girl one time in school in west virginia. she says mr. governor, i think a leader should be a dealer in up. a leader is a dealer in hope. if you can't give the people of your state hope that it's going to be better no matter how tough, difficult and challenging it, they've lost all. you are a leader and if you never forget that, no matter what faces you, you are the hope of your state. they are looking to you for that leadership. thank you. >> thank you, senator. >> been a thank you for the opportunity to be here. i know it's going to be a great nga governor as well, chairman as well.

why not go on a little bit about what joe said. it is time, where we were, isn't exactly hitting the ball out of the park terms of getting stuff done. a lot of times the folk around the state aren't as frustrated as you. you want to throw stuff at the tv. i am inside the tv and i feel that way. echoing what joe said, the notion that the state level you can still put points on the board, we can argue how big or small government should be. the notion that you are is done in a way that is moving the ball forward in terms row approach is probably more than ever to see whoever is selected with an opportunity come 2017.

the interim continuing to put points on the board for the nga specifically i was very honored to be invited back. the first time i've been back since governor. lamar, god bless him for speaking to the nga winner was chaired in all the years we were here. i think that you ought to invite more senators, particularly to governor only sessions are some of the dinners. some of my fondest memories for governor only settings where you could really have a little more candid conversation with no press, no staff. you and 54, five, six senators in both parties. there's a lot of poor people of goodwill in both parties in the united states senate who want to do the right thing. they just need a little boost behind them. you can provide that movement and we could better develop

better estate relationships. >> thank you. senator alexander. >> the question was how can nga be more effect to? governor bentley would probably know the story of maher bryant to come to the university of alabama and play football. the kid was kicking 70 yards the whole time. the first week of this they watched him and never said a word to the kicker. finally, the punter went to the coach and said i came all the way to play football for you and you haven't said a word to me. then i had son, i am watching you. when you kick him less than 70 yards, i will remind you of what you were doing when you did. i think the best way to ask a question about what could the nga due to her aunt is asked when were you the most effective and do more of that.

that's 85 reporter: 86 with results for education. the national governors summit 89. the time you put all your power is welfare reform in 1996 and i think it was last year but charged to pass no child left behind. we talk about what hasn't and washing 10. "wall street journal" said that the biggest devolution of power in 25 years. if that the case and you helped do it, follow the advice of one of the other governors and don't double down. spend the whole next year so you get the power. i remember the kicker story. the only other thing i would say is when you pick one or two things that are implementing no child left behind six, do it yourself. don't delegate it. if you sit down with a member of congress, we will all pay a lot of attention to you. if you write a letter or send

thing, that is just another letter. >> thank you and we will give her vice chairman of the last question. >> appreciate you coming today. you've given us good advice on how we can make ourselves a better organization. as you know with congress, your inaction causes us problems. i do want to thank them for the two-year sequestration push off in the transportation. now we have five years and they can now begin to make some decisions. for years it was very problematic at the state level. we have asked so we can expect out of the congress this year and so far we have heard out much. here is an election year. these types of inaction causes problem. we do compete on a global economy and inaction is not good for us. sometimes the congress does is hurtful to the government.

demand services committee, and the national guard, you are taking some of our folks and trying to convert them to civilian under the guard command today. that is a big, big problem for us. i would ask before you go, there is to function in congress. how do you make yourselves more than efficient operating organization. we thought about this, heard about the problems the congress. we all work together and get along here. how we do the same thing in the united states congress? >> i will take a stab at that first. >> wheel may have five minutes. [laughter] >> first of all, they expect me to make a phone call every day to raise money and they expected all my republican colleagues to make phone calls for the nsc had meant to go across my friends on the other side. i said i won't do it. where i come from, if i am

working and i try to get you fired every day, you are going to kick my sooner or later. i said i'm not going to do it. how do we change it? i look at my friend and i said doing the work on something. he said sure go ahead. he does a look at as a threat. there used to be in on what role. how many governors go to each other's to defeat you when you're up for election? i don't see that happening. i hope it never happens. it's expected to happen in the senate and in congress. unless we have an ethical change to earth an ethical violation for me to visibly campaigned against a colleague, you are not going to change that demeanor in the senate. >> any other comments? lamar. >> i am going to be a little politically incorrect and say moore is getting done then you

think. and i don't really like to be a member of congress who goes around saying you can't do anything. if i thought that, i would stay home. why should i be a member of congress if i'm not getting anything done. it's not that hard. we are in charge of about a nerd of the senate. we set out to fix no child left behind it we got it done in a year. we set out to pass the 21st century bill and i told president obama i would like to include his precision medicine and is more recent because it's an exciting time in biomedical research. third, we are well underway to all series of in higher education, which would take 100 a question and reduce it to a couple questions are 10 questions or 12 question and we have bipartisan support for that, for simplifying the way you pay your student loans back

for a year of power grids. we work on all those things. i think it is not that hard to do and the skills it takes to do at their desk governor, which are basically -- i don't even need to tell you what they are. you don't put people in the corner. you give them a chance to succeed. you listen, you console. you be happy to get 70% or 80% of you want. just so you don't go away thinking we don't do anything, there is fixing no child left behind done. the bipartisan budget agreement law could multi-highway bill law. where could the president, done. quality fee for services done. the u.s.a. freedom act on terrorist on. this is all last year. cybersecurity done. defense authorization done. terrorism risk insurance done. iran nuclear review act done. veteran suicide or vegan done

chemical safety done. so in one year we pass the appropriations bills that we had a very good here. we are a long way from where we ought to be. the skills they learned as governor help us succeed and i haven't given up on trying to succeed. >> thank you. >> i don't think any of us have given up or we wouldn't be going back to her day job. i do think that we do have a bit of a structural challenge and i think the genius of the founding fathers was they set up a slightly dysfunctional federal government on purpose. the house had to work with the senate. the senate had to work with house and they both had worked for the president. balancing on the way you you got stuff done. there were other systems of government that worked pretty well. you run the show until you are kicked out. my fear and i agree there is

angst that we have got done, but there are still a number of others and ticking time bombs by card debt and deficit that will explode in a moment. we will be in a national government with an insurance program and army and nothing else. my fear from kind of a governmental standpoint is that had the checks and balances brilliantly for government, they run it like a parliamentary system. you start with 100% a year and try to peel off a few of the others. or you say will only bill in the house bill they passed pass it with our team. or that may be a case, but the states that it worked well, you still find a way. you may be democrat or republican, but you still find a way for you tried to pick up the slack of the other side.

that is less able to do in washington. candidly, that's what we have to improve upon and the notion that every bill, lamar made mention there was pretty good record last year, but the idea that every bill had to be, armageddon and that it gets loaded not every train out of the station and you will notice much honesty possibly can and do make it out of this size is harder to do and if they run the notion that you've got to start with 100% on every bill, you end up with legislation unfortunately that ends up starting way far to the left or way far to the right and personally market policy gets done with some level of compromise. >> governor of. >> what i would say, terry, when i was secretary of the interior

and we would have town hall meetings around the country, i remember one incident occurs. hundreds of people sitting there listening. a city sin was really getting heat in a new fad. you are nothing but commanding control and he really was going. i started to smile. he said what are you smiling about? i said i happen to agree with you. that's why voluntarily left the united states senate because i believe in states rights. well, the ideas somehow as a friend. i appreciate what she said when the 160 and calgary brigade was deployed to iraq and had the entire province of your coat, the role of governors again times 10, et cetera, et cetera, but it's a families back home. i was told early on, do not

become cap did they never missed of the situation because some members of congress for years have never missed a vote. so the first to vote that i intentionally messed with back-to-school night for my kids. pretty hard to rail on that. when paul ryan took some time appropriately to evaluate if in fact he would have his name placed florida speaker of the house and again think of the moment, wherever and how the fight, different factions within the republican, house members and democrat held their fire because there was civility, to let him in and about this. when paul ryan talked about the fact he had to evaluate what effect this has on his family life, work family balance. there were those in the media that took out after him.

so i would just say too just say too often i think candidates who campaign on family values, once elected do not feel that they are about to crack his family values. create an atmosphere so we elect citizen who not only preach family values, but are allowed to live family values. thank you. [applause] >> thank you. we are so honored to have some of our road here with us today. we appreciate your leadership in nurse her wrist. we know that other governors serving the cause or is and we appreciate them, too. let's give a round of applause. [applause] back and we honor him.

an ad campaign where is it recognition award called the james madison reward designed to honor somebody in congress that is really exemplified the spirit of federalism and cooperation talked about here today. somebody that not only talks about it, but actually does the work and epitomizes what we've been talking about here today. i would like to by senator lamar alexander forward as the father of our constitution. [applause] ..

>> i think we all appreciate his involvement with the work force and investment opportunity act, his championing for market street fairness and which, again, is an issue we're going to be taking on in this year. hopefully, with the work of our special guests and others, we can get that piece of legislation pad this year -- passed this year today. senator lamar alexander, former secretary of education, a good friend of the nga, we offer this to you as a small token of our appreciation, the james madison award. >> thank you very much. [applause] thank you. i think i've already had my say today and yesterday, but thank you. the best job in america is being

governor of your home state. the second best job is being able to to represent your home state in the united states senate and remind all the other senators that the best job in america is being governor of your home state. [laughter] and you need to remember that when you're trying to be governor of the united states, leave that responsibility to the governors and focus on the purely federal issues that the congress and the president are supposed to deal with. thank you very much. [applause] >> we'll get a picture in just a minute. let me, we're on a tight schedule. we thank everybody. we certainly want to thank our nga staff for helping us organize this event. it's been a very productive weekend. we thank you for your participation. we've had great participation from the governors. thank our great and esteemed vice chairman, terry mcauliffe. we want to thank scott, david and nga staff for the work. again, reminder, we'll reach out

to you to get your recommendations of what we want to highlight in the book on state success and spotlight some of the great things you're doing in the respective states and territories across the land. and, again, nga summer meeting in iowa. and with that, we'll -- >> it's been a great meeting. i think we ought the give our chair a great round of applause. [applause] >> well, again, what a great team. my acronym, t.e.a.m., it's like something i'd hear from lamar alexander. t.e.a.m., together, everyone achieves more. that's the nga. thank you very much. we'll see you at the white house. we're adjourned. [laughter] [inaudible conversations]

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white house now. they'll be meeting with president obama this morning. you'll be able to watch coverage on c-span, and that starts at 3 1:10 this morning -- 11:10 this morning. the senate session starts at three eastern with the annual reading of george washington's farewell address. at 5:30 eastern senators will vote on president obama's pick to be fda chair. the house returns tomorrow and will debate bills to restrict foreign fighters to the u.s. you'll be able to see that debate on c-span as the house returns tomorrow. here's a look at other live events coming up today. on c-span3, coverage of homeland current secretary jeh johnson leading a panel discussion on leading during disasters, whether terrorist attacks or hurricanes. that will be live at three eastern. over on c-span, live coverage at three when republican presidential contender senator ted cruz holds a rally in las vegas.

nevada does hold their republican caucuses tuesday night. and at ten eastern, c-span will have live coverage as donald trump speaks at a campaign rally in las vegas. road to the white house coverage -- >> tonight on "the communicators," gordon smith, president and ceo of the national, so of broadcasters -- association of broadcasters, discusses his concerns with fcc chair's thom wheeler's -- thom wheeler's proposals for opening the set-top boxes market. >> i respect the fact that the chairman is looking at something. chairman wheeler, be nothing else -- if nothing else, he is, to his great credit, fostering competition. and he's looking at one of the real cost centers in the pay television industry. so i understand why he's doing that. i suppose as a consumer myself, taking off my broadcaster hat, i'm saying, okay, who is the new gatekeeper? is it amazon?

is it google? i don't know. and if it's one of those, the question that i have is right now we have tough negotiations with directv and satellite or dish or with comcast and cable, time warner, you name it. those retransmission consent negotiations are happening all the time, and 99.9% of them end without any difficulty at all. but they're paying for the content. so if it goes to a new set-top box with a different gatekeeper, i guess my question putting my broadcast hat back on is, hey, how about my copyrighted material? be are they going to sell ads on that? and if so, do they have no responsibility for what they then will take from broadcasters for nothing? >> watch "the communicators" tonight at eight eastern on c-span2. >> the white house marked african-american history month with several events last week.

president obama delivered remarks to a crowd attending a reception celebrating african-american history in the white house east room. this is about 20 minutes. [inaudible conversations] >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states and mrs. michelle obama. [cheers and applause] >> hello, everybody! [cheers and applause] well, it is so good to see all of you. welcome to the white house.

>> hey, michelle! >> hey! >> we know it is black history month. when you hear somebody say, hey, michelle. [laughter] [cheers and applause] girl! you look so good! [laughter] >> you do too! >> he's all right. you look good too, baby. >> all right. i want to thank everybody who's here this evening, this afternoon. i want to give a special thanks to the members of congress and the congressional black caucus who are here tonight. give them a big round of applause. [applause] you know, for the past seven years -- and, now, come on, y'all. i'm only going to be a second. [laughter] >> it's exciting. >> except for that little guy,

he's hungry. [laughter] for the past seven years and in some cases before that, the people in this room have been incredible supporters of me and michelle. and we could not be more grateful for everything that you've done for us, everything you've done for the country. and so i just want to start off by saying thank you. yes. [applause] yes. now, we gather to celebrate black history month, and from our earliest days black history has been american history. [cheers and applause] where the slaves who carried the stone to build this white house, the soldiers who fought for our nation's independence, who fought to hold this union together, who fought for freedom

of others around the world, the scientists and inventers who helped unleash american innovation. we stand on the shoulders not only of the giants in this room, but also countless nameless heroes who marched for equality and justice for all of us. down through the decades african-american culture has profoundly shaped american culture and music and art, literature and sports. i want to give a special acknowledgment to my lovely wife -- [cheers and applause] [laughter] because just last week she hosted a performance of

african-american women and girls in dance, and we had luminaries like debbie allen and judith jamison working with the next generation of outstanding young black dancers. it was, apparently, an incredible event. i was not invited. [laughter] my dance moves did not make the cut. [laughter] so we are so proud to honor this rich heritage, but black history month shouldn't be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective american history. [applause] or somehow just boiled down to a compilation of greatest hits from the march on washington or from some of our sports heroes. there are well meaning attempts to do that all around us from classrooms to corporate ad campaigns, but we know that this should be more than just a

commemoration of particular events. it's about the lived, shared experience of all african-americans, high and low, famous and obscure and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and, ultimately, strengthened america. it's about taking an unvarnished look at the past so we can create a better future. it's a reminder of where we as a country have been so that we know where we need to go. that's' why earlier today we hosted an intergenerational round table of civil rights leaders to talk about today's efforts to reform our criminal justice system. so we had icons of the civil rights movement that helped get me here, folks like reverendc.t.

vivian and john lewis. but they were with up and coming change makers like steven green of the naacp youth and college division or birthny pagnet of campaign zero -- yeah -- who has done outstanding work as a member of our 21st century police task force. and to hear the incredible contributions these young people were making and to see how their courage and tenacity was connected to those who had lived through bloody sunday, it made you optimistic about our future. it was powerful to see the fathers and the mothers of the movement in this constant interaction, understanding that each successive generation has to take the baton and move us forward. and what's so inspiring about these young people and their generation is that they don't

see black history as a relic. it's not something to study in a book. they don't see themselves as distant from that history. they are participants making history. it's alive. it's manager that we have the power and -- it's something that we have the power and the responsibility to shape and to wield. you know, the civil rights movement grew out of church basements and word of mouth and drew strength from freedom songs and the power of young people's examples. and thanks to technology and social media, today's leaders are building a new, inclusive movement that's mobilizing people of all backgrounds to stand up for change. from equal opportunity in education, to a smarter criminal justice system, one that's more effective in keeping us safe but also makes sure that everybody's treated fairly under the law. so i want to give a special shoutout to young people here today. [cheers and applause]

we want them to continue doing what they're doing. and that's the thing about our democracy. it takes all of us. it's important that we have responsive elected officials. supreme court appointments are important -- [cheers and applause] but ultimately, everything comes down to the constant perseverance, the courage, the tenacity, the vision of citizens like you making sure not only you exercise your right to vote, but that in between elections you are a part of a constant movement in your local communities or at the national level or the international level to bring about the kind of change from which all of us in

this room have benefited because of the labors of somebody who came before us. america's a nation that is a constant work in progress. that's why we are exceptional. we don't stop. there's a gap, there always will be, between who we are as the perfect union, that ideal that we seek. but what makes us exceptional, what makes us americans is that we fight wars and pass laws, and we march and we organize unions and we stage protests, and that gap gets smaller over time. and it's that effort to form a more perfect union that marks us as a people. as long as we keep at it, as long as we don't get discouraged, as long as we are out there fighting the good

fight not just on one day or one month, but every single day and every single month, i have no doubt that we're going to live up to the promise of our founding ideals and that all these young children who are standing in front no matter who they are, where they come from, they're going to have the opportunity to achieve their dreams. thank you, everybody. [cheers and applause] god bless you. god bless america. [cheers and applause] thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations]

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[inaudible conversations] >> we'll leave this here, go with l$e to remarks from british prime ministerç david cameron on deals of the european union deal with the u.k. it's just getting started. >> first, let me say a word about the migration crisis which was also discussed at the european council. we agreed we needed t