Jan 2, 2009 6:22 pm US/Eastern
Governors Push Obama For Billions Of Dollars
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick looks on as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama speaks to an enthusiastic crowd of thousands at Boston Common Oct. 23, 2007 in Boston. Patrick, the only African-American governor in the nation, announced
Robert Spencer/Getty Images
State leaders all over the country are hoping for more good financial news this year in the form of a bold new federal stimulus plan.
With budgets being slashed governors, including Deval Patrick, are teaming up to push the feds for hundreds of billions of dollars.
The governors say they need this money to stay afloat, and they need it fast.
The economy will be priority No. 1 for the president-elect. Barack Obama moves to Washington D.C. this weekend and will begin work on a new federal recovery plan immediately.
He'll be meeting with congressional leaders next week before even taking office. The president-elect is aware of the governors' concerns. He met with all of them in Philadelphia last month.
His rescue plan could pump as much as $1 trillion into struggling state economies.
The governors say they need every penny. Patrick joined forces with governors in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
In a conference call they talked about their proposal and where this money will make a crucial difference.
The governors want to see $350 billion used on infrastructure projects that crews can get to work on right away.
There was also a sharp emphasis on education. They say we shouldn't be putting people to work on bridges and roads while laying off teachers.
So they want $250 billion in educational grants to raise standards so students don't lose ground.
They say another $250 billion should be earmarked for federal programs like Medicaid and food stamps.
They want the final $150 billion designated for middle class tax cuts.
The governors didn't talk specifics about how this money should be distributed among the states. But Patrick did say that basing it on a state's population would be simple and straightforward.
Many other governors have been involved in discussions about a positional rescue plan. They say they've have been in touch with the Obama administration and congressional leaders.
If the plan is approved they hope to spread out the funding over the next two years.
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