NLGA Members: Duties & Priorities 2025

ALABAMA Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth**:

• Violent crime:  Lt. Gov. Ainsworth says he will push for additional funding to address rising violent crime in Alabama’s cities.  LINK
• Transportation/Infrastructure: Lt. Gov. Ainsworth continues to prioritize the widening of I-65 in Alabama.  LINK
• Lt. Gov. Ainsworth expects several issues to be taken up in the legislature, including workforce development, education, veterans services, and professional license reciprocity for military spouses. LINK

ALASKA Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom: 

• Elections:  Lt. Gov. Dahlstrom oversees the state’s Elections Division and related functions.
• Workforce: Lt. Gov. Dahlstrom serves as a member of the state’s Workforce Investment Board.

ARIZONA Secretary of State Adrian Fontes: 

• Elections:  Secretary Fontes, who oversees the state’s elections, is prioritizing an elections management system update.  LINK

ARKANSAS Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge**:

• Lt. Gov. Rutledge supports the governor’s proposal to eliminate the state grocery tax, as well as free breakfast for all Arkansas children, maternal health issues, and access to higher education and career certifications.   LINK

CALIFORNIA Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis**: 

• International Trade:   Lt. Gov. Kounalakis is California’s Representative for International Affairs and Trade, as appointed by the governor.
• Higher Education:  Lt. Gov. Kounalakis serves on the board of the California State University system.
• Public Lands: Lt. Gov. Kounalakis serves on the State Lands Commission, which oversees the control and leasing of millions of acres of state-owned land, including offshore oil resources, as well as use and permitting for all navigable waterways in California. The Commission also manages state land-use planning and revenues, and related interstate issues.

COLORADO Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera: 

• Aerospace:   Lt. Gov. Primavera co-chairs the Colorado Space Coalition.
• Lt. Gov. Primavera leads six programs: the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, the Office of eHealth Innovation, the Colorado Disability Funding Committee and Disability Policy, the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, Serve Colorado, and Aerospace and Defense.
• Lt. Gov. Primavera will work with the governor on priorities including renewable energy, electric vehicles and infrastructure, reduce emissions, transit-oriented development, and housing affordability.  LINK

CONNECTICUT Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz**: 

• Affordability:   Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz said priorities this year include the affordability of day-to-day expenses for families, including household utility bills. LINK
• STEM Education:  Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz’s work includes support of STEM Education opportunities, including her office’s 2025 Computing Challenge for students.
• At the December 2024 NLGA meeting, Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz indicated that legislative priorities in 2025 would include a balanced budget and rainy day fund, and expanding child care, job training, free community college, and investments in affordable housing.

DELAWARE Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay**: 

• Rare Diseases:  Per state law, Delaware’s Rare Disease Advisory Council is housed within the lieutenant governor’s office.
• At the December 2024 NLGA meeting, Lt. Gov. Evans Gay shared that her focuses will include criminal justice, veterans, and child care.

GEORGIA Lt. Governor Burt Jones**: 

• Childcare and Education: Lt. Gov. Jones, who presides over the state senate, set out childcare priorities for the 2025 legislative session, saying the state needs to work to grow the number of teachers working in the public school system as well as increase the number of childcare workers.  LINK
• Red Tape Rollback:  Lt. Gov. Jones announced a priority for 2025 is to cut government regulation, boost small businesses, and expand economic opportunities throughout Georgia. LINK

GUAM Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio: 

• Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio is the chairman of the Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Islandwide Beautification Task Force, the Guam Hazard Mitigation Committee, and the Guam Product Seal Task Force.
• Lt. Gov. Tenorio says Guam must prioritize boosting the tourism industry, improving air service to Guam, and workforce development, particularly for youth.  LINK

HAWAII Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke: 

• Preschool access:   Lt. Gov. Luke is leading “Ready Keiki,” the state’s multi-faceted plan that aims to provide preschool access for all Hawaii 3- and 4-year-olds. LINK
• Broadband:   Lt. Gov. Luke is leading “Connect Kākou,” a state initiative to ensure every resident of Hawaii has access to broadband internet, plus the skills and devices they need to use the internet.  LINK

IDAHO Lt. Governor Scott Bedke**: 

• Workforce: Lt. Gov. Bedke serves on the state’s Workforce Development Council, working on the LAUNCH program, which provides grants to graduating seniors to use towards post-secondary education or job training.
• Other priorities shared by Lt. Gov. Bedke include supporting the agriculture industry in Idaho, the state’s business climate, and quality education for all students.

ILLINOIS Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton:

• Agriculture:   Lt. Gov. Stratton oversees the Ag Connects Us All initiative, working to address equity in ag and food insecurity. LINK
• Women & Girls:  Lt. Gov. Stratton chairs the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, and has created the We Thrive initiative to inform policy decisions, develop community-driven programs, help women build confidence around their finances, and solidify a network of resources for women regarding finances.

INDIANA Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith**: 

• Agriculture & Rural Affairs:  Lt. Gov. Beckwith leads the state’s Department of Agriculture and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
• At the December 2024 NLGA meeting, Lt. Gov. Beckwith also named health freedom, efficiencies and transparency in government, healthcare costs and property tax reform as priority issues.

IOWA Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer: 

• STEM Education & Technology:   Lt. Gov. Cournoyer, upon appointment as lieutenant governor in December 2024, shared the importance of STEM and work-based learning, and the potential of tech to transform Iowa’s systems, grow Iowa’s economy, and empower students. LINK

KANSAS Lt. Governor David Toland: 

• Economic Development:  Lt. Gov. Toland serves as the state’s Secretary of Commerce, overseeing business resources, community development, workforce services, Travel Kansas, and international commerce.

KENTUCKY Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman: 

• Education:   Lt. Gov. Coleman leads the “Commonwealth Education Continuum,” focused on three priorities:  ninth grade on track, early post-secondary opportunities, and first year success.

LOUISIANA Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser: 

• Tourism:   Lt. Gov. Nungesser oversees the state’s Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and announced that 2025 will be the “Year of Food,” the theme for advertising and promoting tourism to the state this year. LINK
• Seafood:   Lt. Gov. Nungesser is advocating for additional oversight and inspection of imported seafood to the U.S.  LINK
• At the December 2024 NLGA meeting, Lt. Gov. Nungesser shared that priorities this year include maintaining historic tax credits, litter prevention and beautification, expanding public-private partnerships for state parks, and dedicated lottery revenue for veterans, children, and seniors.

MAINE Senate President Mattie Daughtry**: 

• Senate President Daughtry indicated her priorities include addressing the housing crisis, supports for seniors, and property taxes, as well as passing a state budget that includes commitments to healthcare, education, and Maine’s municipalities. LINK

MARYLAND Lt. Governor Aruna Miller: 

• Transportation:  A civil and transportation engineer by trade, Lt. Gov. Miller chairs the Governor’s Work Zone Safety Work Group and lends her expertise to the state’s transportation policies.
• Opioids & Overdoses:  Gov. Miller chairs the Maryland Overdose Response Advisory Council. LINK
• Lt. Gov. Miller also chairs also chairs Maryland’s first Council on Interfaith Outreach, which convenes faith leaders from across religions and across the state of Maryland to bridge divides, increase religious tolerance, end hate, and better serve all communities.

MASSACHUSETTS Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll: 

• STEM:   Lt. Gov. Driscoll co-chairs the state’s STEM Advisory Council.
• Lt. Gov. Driscoll chairs the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking.
• Economic Development:  With a background in local government, Lt. Gov. Driscoll acts as a liaison and advocate for economic development opportunities for local municipalities. Lt. Gov. Driscoll also chairs the Seaport Economic Council.
• At the December 2024 NLGA meeting, Lt. Gov. Driscoll named housing, education, and energy policy as main focuses in 2025.

MICHIGAN Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist**: 

• At the December 2024 NLGA meeting, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist named education policy, investments in affordable housing, access to mental health resources, and the technology and innovation economy as priorities in Michigan.

MINNESOTA Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan: 

• Housing & Homelessness:   Lt. Gov. Flanagan chairs the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness.
• Infrastructure: Lt. Gov. Flanagan joined the governor in proposing the “2025 Infrastructure Plan” to allocate $887 million to water and transportation infrastructure, public safety projects, housing and the environment, and state and other infrastructure.  LINK

MISSISSIPPI Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann**: 

• Agriculture:   Lt. Gov. Hosemann has expressed strong support for the state’s farmers, pledging to work on taxes, infrastructure, and other solutions to support the ag industry.  LINK
• Lt. Gov. Hosemann, who presides over the senate, has expressed support for reducing or eliminating the state’s grocery tax, changes to education policy, and Medicaid expansion with work requirements. LINK

MISSOURI Lt. Governor David Wasinger**: 

• Economic Development:   Lt. Gov. Wasinger oversees the “Buy Missouri” Program, to actively promote the products that are grown, manufactured, processed, and/or made in Missouri. LINK
• Seniors: Lt. Gov. Wasinger wants to roll out an advocacy office to help resolve issues with care for aging loved ones in nursing homes and senior living centers.  LINK
• Lt. Gov. Wasinger oversees the state’s Arts Council, serves as a member of the Tourism Commission, and is the state’s “official senior advocate,” as well as the state’s advocate for Veterans.

MONTANA Lt. Governor Kristen Juras: 

• Red Tape:   Lt. Gov. Juras leads the governor’s Red Tape Relief Task Force to cut unnecessary regulations to further job creation and support small business owners, farmers, and ranchers.

NEBRASKA Lt. Governor Joe Kelly**: 

• Lt. Gov. Kelly is the presiding officer of the country’s only unicameral legislature.

NEVADA Lt. Governor Stavros Anthony**: 

• Tourism:   Lt. Gov. Anthony serves as chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, as well as the state’s Advisory Board on Outdoor Recreation. Lt. Gov. Anthony supports state opportunities in Agritourism to support tourism in rural communities.  LINK
• Small Businesses:  Lt. Gov. Anthony oversees the state’s Office of Small Business Advocacy.
• Transportation:  Lt. Gov. Anthony serves as Vice Chair of the state’s Board of Transportation
• Energy Policy:   Lt. Gov. Anthony has expressed support for “a diversified energy portfolio that ensures access to reliable, resilient, affordable clean energy for Nevada homeowners and businesses.” LINK

NEW HAMPSHIRE Senate President Sharon Carson**: 

• Senate President Carson says that during the next legislative session, she will prioritize creating mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking, ban cell phone usage in classrooms, increase transparency in school budgets, special education funding, and property tax relief.  LINK

NEW JERSEY Lt. Governor Tahesha Way: 

• Elections:  Lt. Gov. Way also serves as Secretary of State, overseeing the state’s elections and other divisions in that office.

NEW MEXICO Lt. Governor Howie Morales**: 

• Rural Communities:  Lt. Gov. Morales shared a priority this year is investing in public infrastructure and other investments for rural economies.  LINK
• Lt. Gov. Morales serves as a member of several boards and commissions, including the State Board of Finance, New Mexico Border Authority, New Mexico Children’s Cabinet, Community Development Council, Military Base Planning Commission, Mortgage Finance Authority, New Mexico Spaceport Authority and the New Mexico Youth Alliance.

NEW YORK Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado**:

• Lt. Gov. Delgado is presiding officer of the state senate.

NORTH CAROLINA Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt**: 

• Higher Education:   Lt. Gov. Hunt serves as a member of the State Board of North Carolina Community Colleges.
• K-12 Education: Lt. Gov. Hunt serves as a member of the State Board of Education, setting policy and procedures for public school systems across the state.
• Child Care / Workforce:   Lt. Gov. Hunt released her Future-Ready North Carolina Plan, with policy priorities to tackle the child care crisis, expand career pathways, and champion community colleges.  LINK Lt. Gov. Hunt will also co-chair the governor’s Task Force on Child Care and Early Education.  LINK
• At the December 2024 NLGA meeting, Lt. Gov. Hunt shared that education funding and child care would be top priorities.

NORTH DAKOTA Lt. Governor Michelle Strinden**: 

• Lt. Gov. Strinden chairs the State Board of Equalization, State Investment Board, North Dakota Trade Office, Task Force for Military Issues in North Dakota, Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority, Capitol Grounds Planning Commission, and Early Childhood Council.
• Lt. Gov. Strinden said that 2025 priorities include property tax reform and education. LINK  She said she will also work with K-12 initiatives, higher education and behavioral health. LINK

OHIO Lt. Governor Jim Tressel: 

• Workforce: Lt. Gov. Tressel is leading the effort to establish the Ohio Workforce Playbook. This playbook aims to create a plan to not only retain top talent in Ohio, but also recruit and mobilize the state’s workforce to greater productivity. LINK
• Lt. Gov. Tressel was appointed in February 2025, and will focus on education and workforce development.  LINK

OKLAHOMA Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell**: 

• Tourism:  Lt. Gov. Pinnell serves as chair of the Oklahoma Tourism Commission and the Route 66 Centennial Commission, and said a big part of his agenda this year will be investments into developing the Routh 66 communities to increase tourism revenue in small towns. LINK

OREGON Secretary of State Tobias Read: 

• Elections:  Secretary Read oversees elections in the state.
• State Audits: Secretary Read oversees audits of state agencies and programs, sharing the plan for 2025-2026 audits while implementing a new transparent, data-driven methodology for audit selection.  LINK

PENNSYLVANIA Lt. Governor Austin Davis**:

• Justice & Crime:   Lt. Gov. Davis chairs the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
• Lt. Gov. Davis also leads the Local Government Advisory Committee, the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement, the Early Learning Investment Commission, and serves on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council.

PUERTO RICO Secretary of State Veronica Ferraiouli Hornedo:

• Secretary Ferraiouli Hornedo is responsible for promoting cultural, political and economic relations between Puerto Rico and foreign countries, as well as other jurisdictions in the U.S., and various administrative functions.

RHODE ISLAND Lt. Governor Sabina Matos:

• Housing:   Lt. Gov. Matos is championing affordable and accessible housing, and supports a state Fair Chance in Housing Act.
• Small Businesses:  Lt. Gov. Matos is chair of the state’s Small Business Advisory Council, and is working on efforts to strengthen employee-ownership of small businesses.  Lt. Gov. Matos launched the Business Enterprise Succession Taskforce, to increase the number of employee owned businesses and to guide small businesses on succession options.  LINK
• Aging & Long Term Care:  Lt. Gov. Matos is chair of Rhode Island’s Long Term Care Coordinating Committee and as a member of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Treatment.
• Lowering Costs of Living:   Lt. Gov. Matos has expressed support for a package of bills that address anti-competitive and anti-consumer practices in the grocery industry. LINK

SOUTH CAROLINA Lt. Governor Pamela Evette: 

• Small Businesses:  Lt. Gov. Evette, an entrepreneur, has prioritized supporting the small business eco-system.
• Litter/Beautification:  Lt. Gov. Evette’s leads “Grab A Bag SC,” a statewide litter pickup challenge. LINK

SOUTH DAKOTA Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen**: 

• Legislative Relations:  A former member of the legislature, Lt. Gov. Venhuizen has indicated his interest in serving as a “bridge to the legislature.”  LINK
• Prisons:  Lt. Gov. Venhuizen will chair “Project Prison Reset,” a working group that will determine the best path forward for a new prison in South Dakota.  LINK

TENNESSEE Lt. Governor Randy McNally**: 

• Lt. Gov. McNally has indicated his support for the Education Freedom Act and a comprehensive relief package for Hurricane Helene and future disaster recovery efforts. LINK

TEXAS Lt. Governor Dan Patrick**:

• Lt. Gov. Patrick released his list of priority legislation for 2025, which includes bills to create a research institute to combat Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, to improve electric grid reliability, and to increase investments in water infrastructure. LINK, LINK

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Lt. Governor Tregenza Roach: 

• Lt. Gov. Roach oversees banking, insurance, and financial regulation; tax assessing and collections; corporations and trademarks; and other administrative duties.
• At the December 2024 NLGA meeting, Lt. Gov. Roach said that his priorities include addressing property taxes, addressing rising housing costs, improving online services to property owners, addressing the cost of constructionand the need for an adequate skilled workforce to rebuild infrastructure. 

UTAH Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson: 

• Elections:  Lt. Gov. Henderson fulfills the duties of Secretary of State. As such, Lt. Gov. Henderson is the Chief Election Officer and oversees things like diplomacy, document authentication, notary, and incorporations.
• Service: Lt. Gov. Henderson is spearheading a pilot program to incorporate community service into each high school student’s education. With plans to expand state-wide, this program intends to address the loneliness epidemic in that demographic, increase trust in institutions, and provide service to those in need.
• Tribal Relations:  Lt. Gov. Henderson has been tasked to be the principal liaison between the state and the eight federally recognized tribes represented in Utah.
• Lt. Gov. Henderson is engaged in several efforts to innovate on issues such as housing, energy, and aging populations and serves on many important boards and commissions.

VERMONT Lt. Governor John Rodgers**: 

• Legislative Relations:  A former legislator, Lt. Gov. Rodgers wants to act as a bridge between the executive branch and the legislature. LINK
• Taxes:  Lt. Gov. Rodgers supports a repeal of the income tax on military benefits, as well as a review of the taxation on used cars and other issues impacting working class Vermonters.  LINK

VIRGINIA Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears**: 

• Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears serves on several boards and commissions, including the Virginia Military Stability Commission, the Secure & Resilient Commonwealth Panel, the Virginia Tourism Authority, and more.

WASHINGTON Lt. Governor Denny Heck**:

• International Trade & Relations:  Lt. Gov. Heck is the state’s lead on international relations and trade to promote trade, goodwill and economic development.
• Housing:  Lt. Gov. Heck has put forth several recommendations for the state to address the housing crisis in Washington. LINK
• Civility:  Lt. Gov. Heck’s office leads “The Project for Civil Health,” to encourage “more respectful discourse in the public square,” to cultivate a “deeply, broadly held value of trying to reach principled compromise,” and finally, to “expand our capacity to disagree better” across party lines.  LINK

WEST VIRGINIA Lt. Governor Randy Smith**: 

• Lt. Gov. Smith, who serves dually as Senate President, named broadband expansion, infrastructure development, and directing more state resources towards small businesses and families as priorities. LINK

WISCONSIN Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez: 

• Healthcare Workforce:  Lt. Gov. Rodriguez chairs the state’s Healthcare Workforce Task Force and looks forward working in 2025 to implement the Task Force’s recommendations.  LINK
• Housing:   Lt. Gov. Rodriguez supports efforts to address housing affordability as well as resources and emergency services for individuals experiencing homelessness.  LINK

WYOMING Secretary of State Chuck Gray: 

• Elections:  Secretary Gray oversees the state’s elections, as well as business filings and other administrative roles.
• Secretary Gray, whose office dissolved three Wyoming business entities flagged as instruments of North Korea by the FBI, is pushing for a slate of bills to be considered this year aimed at preventing fraud and deterring bad actors. LINK