National Governors Association launches new Reigniting the American Dream initiative
It is led by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, who chairs the NGA, and Vice Chair and Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
National Governors Association (NGA) Chair and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair and Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced last week a joint effort to expand access to good jobs and reignite the American Dream across the country.
Governor Stitt, who officially launched the Reigniting the American Dream initiative, is calling on all states to prioritize workforce development and help more Americans access the opportunities they need to thrive.
“A Good Jobs Economy is essential to reigniting the American Dream,” he said. “This year, I’m challenging every governor to build strong bridges between millions of Americans seeking good jobs and the employers eager to hire them. We need to think boldly and act urgently.”
As part of the initiative, Governor Stitt is encouraging states to consider establishing Good Jobs Funds that support scalable, high-impact workforce solutions. To lead by example, he announced an initial $19 million commitment in Oklahoma to jumpstart this work, including:
- $4.5 million in public funds through the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to expand proven local programs;
- Deployment of the Workforce Transformation Fund to align public and private resources around measurable workforce outcomes; and
- A $15 million philanthropic commitment from the George Kaiser Family Foundation to help Tulsans access good-paying jobs in sectors like manufacturing, advanced air mobility, and health care.
These investments aim to catalyze broader public and philanthropic support to help more Oklahomans enter and stay in the middle class.
Similarly, Governor Moore announced that Maryland is committing:
- $25 million in public funds through the nationally recognized EARN program and the new RAISE Act; and
- $15 million in additional philanthropic support.
These resources will support more than 14,000 Marylanders in gaining in-demand skills and securing jobs in industries like cybersecurity, healthcare, information technology, life sciences, and aerospace. Governor Moore’s strategy emphasizes employer partnerships, data-driven planning, and preparing for the implementation of Workforce Pell with strong accountability.
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