Federal Stimulus Helped States Plug Budgets: Govs

BILOXI, Miss. — A bipartisan group of governors said Saturday that the federal stimulus package helped states avoid deep budget cuts during the recession. But some at the National Governors Association convention said they're not pushing for another infusion of cash from Washington.

"I don't think there's an appetite for it," Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said.

Republican Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi agreed there's no need for Congress to consider more aid to states any time soon. Most of the stimulus money disappears by December 2012, midway through the next budget year for many states.

"We're up on a very high peak that we're going to have to get down off of when the stimulus money runs out," Barbour said, noting that Mississippi has its largest-ever budget because of the federal funds.

Republican Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont said state leaders would have liked fewer rules about how to spend the first batch of federal money, much of it directed to Medicaid and education.

"Governors always want more flexibility because priorities are different from state to state," Douglas said.

About half the nation's governors were attending the convention on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Some stayed home to work on budgets, including the group's president, Pennsylvania Democrat Ed Rendell.

Manchin said lagging revenues prompted states to collectively cut budgets by $31.6 billion for the fiscal year recently concluded. That translated into a 2.2 percent decline in spending from the previous year.

Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico said he believes it will take two years for states to see the full impact of the federal spending.

"I'm worried about the deficit and I think we've got to be careful about another stimulus package right now because I think the first stimulus package is working," Richardson said. "I think we should let it run its course."

Comments

[Jonni Rae]

The stimulus money helped the states. This means that without it, we would be in much worse shape. This is a good thing. Can we give some credit to the President for this????? And the House of Representatives??? Can we do something other than carp and whine?

[MyrtleJune]

"A bipartisan group of governors said Saturday that the federal stimulus package helped states avoid deep budget cuts during the recession."

WHAT A CROCK!!! Arizona is deeeep cutting education and infrastucture. The republican legislature in Arizona is practically shutting down universities!!! Without Napolitano this state's budget is a total nightmare!!! And more to come.....

[higgins1990]

"States plug budgets". Oh, THAT was the aim of the Stimuls. Was that Obama's stated goal of the stimulus back in February?

[Shashi0224]

The stimulus helped but they don't want anymore....of course they don't....the last thing they want is for President Obama to do well!
Then, what will they do?
It's sad when politicians put themselves above recovery for the nation just because they want the President's policies to fail. What a sad, sad commentary on them.

[Sandmanj]

The original picture should be part of a photo caption contest.

My entry would be: "Which tub of lard is a governor? Both."

[concernvoter]

I'm from Mississippi and Haley Barber is upset, because he can't use the money the way he wants to use it. He is not a good Governor and I'm sure the ones who elected him back in as Governor regrets it everyday.

[JimLarkin]

maybe he wants to fork over another $50 million of katrina recovery aid to build some more dorms in tuscaloosa ALABAMA

[manicore]

Bubba meet Bubba.

[Indie2008]

Well, sure, we'll take the money-- we sure can use it, but too much of a good thing could become habit forming!

[DestinationsUnknown]

We're up on a very high peak that we're going to have to get down off of when the stimulus money runs out," Barbour said, noting that Mississippi has its largest-ever budget because of the federal funds

Oh please-

What happened to the Casino money Barbour- Pre Katrina?

WHer is all that money?

Why did you allow importaion of immigrants from West Africa to work in those Casinos-
Not just the Gulf Casinos bu t the ones in Tubica Near Memphis?

Why all the immigrant workers at the Casinos?

What happened to that Casino money when you werre thriving-

I think the Casinos put you and your friends at a very high peak that we're going to have to get down off ....NOW that the Casino stimulus money?

[DestinationsUnknown]

Why did you allow importation of immigrants from West Africa to work in those Casinos-
Not just the Gulf Casinos but the Casinos in Tunbica Near Memphis?

Where is all that money Barbour- Schools? Look at the level of education in MS-

Please- CAsinos - that was your concern -

Where is that money?

[AKJM]

I've always wondered how the heck Barbour won in a state that is probably better than 50% black.
But then Miss has electronic voting and no paper trail.

[Nosepuede]

Worth looking at http://www.recovery.org/ to assess the projects in your area. As for me, the initial stimulus is of little to no value.

[dirtyice]

The Feds finally want to give some of the peoples tax money back ; so what do theses a-holes say ? "We don't need no stinking money-let them eat cake." Pile meter maxed out.

[erp65]

Barbour needs a stimulus plan for his pituitary.

[Chaimirija]

The irony of those photos: fat cats

[vesaversa1]

I agree with Richardson president Obama should quash all the talk of another stimulus until we see what the result is from the first one .

[Erdgeist]

National Governors Association? They should kick the Southern governors out. These scoundrels still refuse to fully admit the South lost the Civil War and we are in almost a depression.