By Meghan Keane -- February 22, 2010
As states start to tighten their belts for another fiscal year, governors look to Washington for more assistance. The National Governors Association held their winter meeting over the weekend in the nation's capital and made their case about crucial issues facing all states.
Because of the poor economy, 36 states had no other choice other than to cut a combined $55.7 billion from their 2010 budgets. The NGA also released a report noting, overall, states are up against budget holes totaling $134 billion over the next three years.
On Sunday, President Barack Obama hosted the governors at a black-tie dinner. There, he praised governors for being able to work across party lines, noting members of Congress could learn from them. Obama also stressed the important role governors have when it comes to rebuilding the economy on both a state and national level.
"You better pay attention to us," Utah Gov. Gary Herbet, a Republican, said Sunday during the winter meeting of the National Governors Association. "At the state level, where we have to actually get something done, we have no choice but to work together, Democrats and Republicans, to find solutions. We can't just put it off and put it off like they do in Washington."
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was also in attendance at the meeting. Patrick said he relates with Obama's problem of balancing the overwhelming economic recovery and staying in touch with voters at the same time.
"If you don't know what happens at the point where
policy touches people, you've got a problem," the Massachusetts governor
said.
