This Sunday’s Washington Journal will be devoted solely to the topic of our nation’s Governors: their role on the national stage and the budgetary and public policy issues they face in the coming year.
We will solicit opinions from viewers about what they think are the most pressing issues facing their states, illustrate those issues by using clips from several recent State of the State addresses that have aired throughout the month on C-SPAN, and add facts and figures about Governors.
We will also speak to an expert from the Pew Center on the States about how Governors and state governments plan to tackle these tough issues and the relationship between the states and the federal government.
On the Phone: Mary Ellen Klas, Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Chief
Topic: Guest will talk about the top issues in Florida and the priorities Republican Governor Rick Scott plans to push in 2013. She’ll talk about the economy, health care, immigration, and Gov. Scott’s recent announcement that he wants Florida teachers to receive a pay raise.
On the Phone: Amanda Vinicky, WUIS Statehouse Bureau Chief
Topic: Guest will explain the political dynamics and issues in Illinois. She’ll talk about the budget problems pensions are causing Illinois, education funding, taxes, and social issues such as gay marriage and gun control.
Josh Goodman, Pew Center on the States Stateline Staff Writer
Topic: Guest will provide an overview of what America’s states are facing. He’ll touch on their economic situation, budgets, legislative priorities, social issues and political dynamics. He’ll talk about trends in economic turnarounds, regional connections, and the states’ relationships with the federal government.
9:15am On the Phone: Cameron Joeseph, The Hill Reporter
Guest will talk about the governors, both Republicans and Democrats, who are immerging as political forces leading up to the 2016 presidential contest