Stark divides on abortion, gun violence loom as U.S. governors meeting begins – National

With stark political divides on abortion, gun violence and different points threatening to overshadow their assembly, the nation’s governors sought to search out widespread floor – on different points.

The Nationwide Governors Affiliation formally kicked off its summer time gathering Thursday, the primary in-person assembly since 2019, earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic. It follows current U.S. Supreme Courtroom rulings which have deepened the rift between crimson and blue states, by overturning Roe v. Wade and putting down gun restrictions in New York.

Leaders say there’s nonetheless room for bipartisanship.

“It’s about looking for issues that we will work on collectively, and that’s plentiful,” mentioned Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who’s wrapping up his yearlong time period because the affiliation’s chair.

Hutchinson is handing the reins of the group to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey, who will function its subsequent chair. The 2 governors introduced final month a bipartisan job drive to make suggestions on stopping mass shootings, following the bloodbath at a Texas elementary college that killed 19 youngsters and two academics.

The duty drive was introduced earlier than President Joe Biden signed into legislation a sweeping, bipartisan gun violence measure that features billions in new funding for psychological well being and college security. The duty drive is comprised of eight governors, equally divided between Republicans and Democrats.

Hutchinson mentioned he sees the group serving to shepherd that legislation’s implementation on the state degree.

Republican Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah, a member of the duty drive, acknowledged that any change to gun coverage would invite controversy in his state, but he encourages politicians to take heed to proposals from throughout the political spectrum, together with funding for varsity safety, counselors, gun buybacks and crimson flag legal guidelines.

“I’ve requested everybody to be open to each dialog,” Cox, the affiliation’s incoming vice chairman, mentioned in a press convention final month.

The general public agenda on the occasion in Maine averted any high-profile partisan points. Classes on Thursday featured Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger and the chief of a worldwide robotics competitors for a dialogue of laptop science schooling. One other session centered on journey and tourism.

The governors additionally held a number of different occasions, together with a mixer Wednesday night and a scheduled lobster bake Thursday night.

Safety was tight with street closures and a big police presence. Organizers declined to say if there was a selected risk or concern.

Nineteen governors, together with the governor of Puerto Rico, attended the occasion. Lacking have been governors of a number of massive states together with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Hutchinson mentioned he doesn’t see the governors affiliation addressing abortion following the reversal of Roe. That ruling has pitted states towards one another, with “set off” bans taking impact virtually instantly after the ruling in numerous states.

Republicans in some states are methods to forestall ladies from going out of state for abortions, steps that might embody going after abortion suppliers. In response, some Democratic governors have signed measures banning their state’s legislation enforcement companies from implementing different states’ abortion bans. That features Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who formally welcomed the governors to her state on Thursday.

When she signed an govt order final week, Mills mentioned she “will stand in the way in which of any effort to undermine, roll again or outright get rid of the correct to secure and authorized abortion in Maine.”

Partisanship was underscored on the eve of the gathering as New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu campaigned alongside fellow Republican Paul LePage, a former Maine governor who hopes to unseat Mills.

Newsom, the governor of California, has even run a marketing campaign advert in Florida criticizing that state’s Republican leaders. And protesters supporting reproductive selection gathered outdoors an occasion a few of the governors attended on the Portland waterfront.

Nonetheless, Hutchinson mentioned the group has been capable of work collectively on different points, being a voice for the states throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and through negotiations over the bipartisan infrastructure bundle.

Massachusetts’ Republican Gov. Charlie Baker mentioned the governors are inclined to get together with one another _ and so they are inclined to deal with issues the place they will get outcomes as an alternative of areas of disagreement.

“Whereas we are going to disagree on completely different points, we as a gaggle have far more in widespread than what units us aside,” mentioned Mills, the host governor.

Hutchinson’s chairmanship of the group has elevated his nationwide profile as he considers operating for president in 2024. The 2-term governor, who leaves workplace in January, has criticized former President Donald Trump and has urged fellow Republicans to maneuver on from the 2020 election.

Murphy is coming into the chairmanship after narrowly profitable reelection as governor final yr. An unapologetic progressive, he not too long ago signed laws enshrining abortion rights into legislation and a brand new bundle of gun management payments.

Though they’re at reverse ends of the political spectrum, Hutchinson had phrases of reward for his successor.

“A part of being a human being is that you just acknowledge good high quality that you just see in folks, although disagree essentially and also you’re on a unique staff. I believe that’s wanted in America right now,” he mentioned.

DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas. Related Press writers Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan; Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey; Sam Metz in Salt Lake Metropolis; and Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.