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Governors gather in Milwaukee for NGA meeting
Governors gather in Milwaukee for NGA meeting
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Nearly half of the nation's governors are walking the streets of Milwaukee, the host city for this year's National Governors Association meeting. Ironically, with all the politicians in town, there's a surprising absence of partisan politics.
Gov. Scott Walker opened the NGA meeting on Friday, August 2nd. It includes 23 of the nation's governors including New Jersey's Chris Christie. The group is trying not to focus on partisan politics. Instead, they're sharing strategies on five key issues -- jobs, health care, homeland security, infrastructure and education.
"It is, it seems like a cliché, but it is a stark contrast to what we see in Washington where there seems to be little effort to bring the parties together on just about anything," said Gov. Walker.
Gov. Walker has deflected questions about a possible presidential run. But he also had a humorous slip when talking about national health care policy.
"Right now, I got my hands full being governor. I'm not real involved YET at the, uh, strike that last word. I'm not involved at the federal level," said Gov. Walker.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a former brewer of micro beers, spoke in glowing terms of Brew City. He calls it one of the nation's hidden gems.
""This is an amazingly beautiful city. And as someone who spent many years as a craft brewer (I think I'm the first brewer to become a governor since Sam Adams, who was the second governor of Massachusetts), I have a special fondness for being able to be here in Milwaukee. Between beer and cheese, what else do you really need in life?" said Hickenlooper.
Later Friday evening, Gov. Walker was expected to lead a parade of Harley-Davidson-riding governors through the Menomonee Valley to a reception at the Harley-Davidson Museum.