Guvapalooza is back in Badgerland

By M.D. Kittle | Wisconsin Reporter

MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker plays host to his fellow state chief executives this weekend, when an estimated 1,000 attendees are expected to turn out to the National Governors Association 2013 Summer Meeting in Milwaukee.

Hosting the NGA, at least for Wisconsin, appears to be a fairly infrequent opportunity. Over the past century the Badger State has held the session three times — the last time, also in Milwaukee, in 1998, and the first occasion, in Madison, in 1914.

It’s quite a coup for any city to host a meeting of the nation’s governors, something Wisconsin’s governor enthusiastically noted in an NGA press release.

“The citizens of Milwaukee and Wisconsin are excited to host the nation’s governors. These meetings are an important bipartisan forum for sharing state experiences and discussing the critical issues of the day,” said Walker, a member of the NGA Executive Committee. “I look forward to showcasing Wisconsin to my colleagues.”

But why has the meeting — or Guvapalooza, as I like to call it — only landed in Wisconsin three times since Gavrilo Princip shot dead Archduke Franz Ferdinand and created that big, bloody mess in Europe?

I put the question to NGA media relations types.

Jodi Omear of the Governor’s Association had some nice things to say about Milwaukee, noting that there’s a competitive process involved with site selection.

NGA’s nine-governor executive committee selected Milwaukee for its first-class hotel and meeting facilities, as well as the city’s overall appeal,” the spokeswoman said in a statement. “Wisconsin’s strong bid demonstrated the state’s ability to meet all of the association’s criteria for hosting an Annual Meeting, including numbers of properties and venues needed; hotel accommodations; and transportation, security and volunteers needs.”

Omear didn’t really address why the NGA hasn’t tapped Wisconsin more often.

I get that there are 50 states and only so many Guvapaloozas to go around. But Wisconsin’s where it’s at (We should get some T-shirts printed up for the guvs). We’ve got the lakes. We’ve got the woods (just do a tick check every now and again). We’ve got enough brats, deep fried cheese curds and cream puffs to sate Chris Christie’s appetite.  And the beer, it’s fresher than handsy San Diego Mayor Bob Filner.

Yes, the governors will be busy between education and workforce committee meetings and heavy sessions on corrections reform. But there’s always time to take in a Brewers game. Where else can you watch a wiener race? OK, New York City has its own Weiner race, but you don’t want to see that photo finish.

The governors will have a good time in Wisconsin. It’s a state made for smiles. I bet you’ll even see that sourpuss  Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton crack one during his stint in Milwaukee. Besides, it’s Wisconsin State Fair time. What governor could resist food on a stick? Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee seems like a beer-battered-bacon-wrapped-cheddar-hot dog-on-a-stick guy.

Contact M.D. Kittle at mkittle@wisconsinreporter.com