Obama Addresses National Governors Association: I'll help cash-strapped states

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNNMoney

President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday told governors from across the country to work with him to "help design" a massive economic recovery package he hopes to sign shortly after he takes office. "If we're listening to our governors, we'll not only be doing what's right for our states, we'll be doing what's right for our country," Obama said in remarks to a meeting of the National Governors' Association (NGA) in Philadelphia. "That's how we'll grow our economy -- from the bottom-up."

Plagued by rising unemployment, falling tax revenue and increased demand for state services, the governors were expected to press Obama for federal money to ease their fiscal strain. All told, 41 states are facing budget shortfalls this year or next, Obama said. The NGA estimates that states are facing an estimated shortfall of between $140 billion and $180 billion over the next two fiscal years.

The NGA and the National Conference of State Legislatures urged lawmakers on Monday to provide aid as soon as possible in three areas:

*infrastructure projects to create jobs;

*safety net programs such as Medicaid and food stamps; and

*efforts to offset state budget cuts by increasing the federal share for federal-state programs such as special education....

***

While Obama made clear he was ready to offer aid to states, he also acknowledged that the federal government is already committing enormous sums to fight the financial crisis. "We're not as a nation going to keep being able to print money," he said. "Make no mistake: these are difficult times, and we're going to have to make hard choices in the months ahead," Obama said. "I won't stand here and tell you that you'll like all the decisions I make. You probably won't."...


Obama addresses the National Governors Association meeting.

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/02/news/economy/obama_talks_aid_with_governors/index.htm?postversion=2008120210

[hlthe2b]

1. I just want more pics of the

of the room.... :rofl:


I never get tired of seeing those...!

[gratuitous]

2. Was she there?

What was she wearing? Did she drop some more g's? Did she wink? These are vital facts the American public must know! Where is MSNBC when we're starved for this information???

[hlthe2b]

3. Yup... see the thread linked below

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7945124

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