Obama to meet with governors on economic crisis Tuesday

[babylonsister]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hwrkWgqY9zXz7N_QSPFkykR4LRkQD94M5E4O0

Obama meets with governors on economic crisis

By JENNIFER LOVEN – 39 minutes ago


WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama is meeting with the nation's governors in Philadelphia on Tuesday to discuss how the economic crisis is crimping states and their budgets.

Nick Shapiro, a spokesman for the Obama transition, said the meeting will provide an opportunity for Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden to talk with state chief executives about "the unique challenges facing our states." The discussions are being hosted by National Governors Association Chairman Ed Rendell and vice chairman Jim Douglas.

On Monday, Obama asked Congress to ready an economic stimulus program for him to sign as soon as possible after he takes office on Jan. 20. Estimates of the spending range from $500 billion to $700 billion over two years, and Democratic congressional officials say it could aid cash-strapped states to provide health care to the poor, along with road and bridge funding.

Many economists think that aid to state and local governments should be tops on the agenda for any new stimulus spending, as they have less borrowing authority than the federal government during an economic downturn. That means that states are slashing budgets as the slowdown causes tax revenues fall.

Rendell is the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania. Though a supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary race, he campaigned for Obama in the general election and was mentioned as a possible Cabinet member under an Obama administration, possibly as Energy or Transportation secretary. He has ruled that out, however, and pledged to remain in his current post until 2011.

It wasn't immediately known how many governors would attend the gathering on Tuesday. But governors from both parties were invited.

[pinto]

1. Great move. This will help focus stimulus proposals at the state level, not

just the Wall Street level.

:kick:

[babylonsister]

3. Definitely. They're thinking way ahead of everyone; I'm loving it. nt

[Jennicut]

2. Local govts are having to make the tough cuts, they really need help

[alsame]

4. A great opportunity to address the 'Main Street' issues. On a side

note, I wonder if Palin will attend.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

5. I was wondering that too. Ha ha...

[FrenchieCat]

6. It might be her only chance of meeting him.......

because as some may know, the person that she pretended to know enough to question, she has never met.

In fact, of the 4 people on the two tickets, Palin is the only one who has never met, let alone spoken to our President Elect. LOL!

[alsame]

7. I would love to see them meet - I wonder what she would say to

him, how she would act. After all the trash talkin' she did during the campaign, I would just love to see her have to act respectful to him.

[gblady]

8. it sure would..

be very interesting to watch, wouldn't it...
I wonder if the governers meeting will be taped?

[Clio the Leo]

11. Are you kidding me!!! lol

The press corps is making flight arrangements even as we speak! Probably even arguing over who gets to stand where!

This is gonna be SUPERFUN!!!!

[Clio the Leo]

12. Are you kidding me!!! lol

The press corps is making flight arrangements even as we speak! Probably even arguing over who gets to stand where!

This is gonna be SUPERFUN!!!!

[Ozma]

9. How ironic! She will, after all, be in the lower 48 on Monday...so

she probably can spend a day with Obama on Tues... make herself look like one of the 50 governors, for once.

[Clio the Leo]

10. WOW! It just clicked!!!!

I had been hearing about this for hours now but wasn't putting two and two together.

CANNOT WAIT for those photos!!!

WHOOP HER ASS!!!! (yeah right) ...... I mean ..... MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE WOMAN! lol (I'm trying to be realistic.)

[fascisthunter]

13. ah.. thank you

Not what I thought. :thumbsup:

[ColbertWatcher]

14. I hope she doesn't get her picture taken with him.

Remember what she sounded like when those Canadian pranksters called her and she thought she was talking to the President of France?

I wonder what she'd sound like trying to get his attention?