During a recent meeting at the White House, Governor Gianforte shared insights on the discussions that took place. The meeting, which lasted about an hour, began with scripted remarks read off a teleprompter. Governors were allowed two pre-arranged questions, one from a Democrat and one from a Republican, to which the president responded. Despite the structured format, Governor Polis noted that there was a free-flowing exchange of information, with the president also taking an additional question beyond the pre-arranged ones.
According to Governor Polis, the discussions with the president were open and engaging, with the president speaking candidly. The governors and their spouses were also hosted at the White House, where they had the opportunity to interact with the president and Dr. Jill Biden. Among the topics discussed, border security emerged as a key concern, with many governors emphasizing the need for a comprehensive plan to secure the border.
Aside from border security, a range of other issues were also addressed during the meeting. The governors expressed their views on the importance of timely budgeting, highlighting the fact that as state executives, they are required to balance budgets without the ability to print money. With a looming deadline for government funding bills, the governors urged Congress to prioritize budgeting and avoid a potential government shutdown.
Governors emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, pointing to their track record of delivering balanced budgets on time. They called on Congress to follow suit and ensure that budgeting processes are completed efficiently to keep the government operational. The governors' meeting with the president and Dr. Jill Biden was characterized by a constructive dialogue on various pressing issues, underscoring the need for effective governance and financial management at both the state and federal levels.
