President-elect Barack Obama (right) greets Maine Gov. John Baldacci (left) at the bipartisan meeting of the National Governor’s Association at Congress Hall on Tuesday in Philadelphia. Watching are Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojevich (left center) and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (center).
PHILADELPHIA — President-elect Barack Obama pledged quick work Tuesday on an economic recovery plan to include tax cuts and increased federal spending, and told the nation’s governors he wants their advice in designing a package to help their hard-hit states.
“We intend to put tax cuts into the pockets of hard-pressed middle-class families in your states. And we intend ... to start making a down payment on the critical investments that are going to be necessary to sustain long-term economic growth as well as pull us out of the current slump,” Obama said as he sat down with governors, nearly all of whom are struggling with budget deficits at home as a result of the recession.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden told the same group he hopes they will not criticize the incoming administration for raising the deficit as it tries to help them. “I know none of you would do that,” he said jokingly. Many states have constitutions that prohibit deficit spending.
“Forty-one of the states that are represented here are likely to face budget shortfalls this year or next forcing you to choose between reining in spending and raising taxes,” Obama said. “Jobs are being cut. Programs for the needy are at risk. Libraries are being closed. Historic sites are being closed.”
The recession and the accompanying increase in joblessness translate into higher health care costs for the poor, greater use of food stamps and added strain on welfare programs, and the governors are seeking help in coping.
They have asked for at least $40 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and people with disabilities and perhaps $136 billion more in infrastructure projects such as road and bridge repairs in the legislation, which Democrats hope to have ready for Obama’s signature as soon as he takes office on Jan. 20.
Obama has said he will make an economic stimulus his top priority, and his aides and congressional leaders have been discussing the outlines of a measure that could exceed $500 billion over two years. The president-elect has said his goal is to secure 2.5 million jobs.
In his brief remarks, Obama pledged a partnership with the governors, Republicans and Democrats alike.
“As president, I’m not simply asking the nation’s governors to help implement our economic plan,” he said. “I’m going to be interested in you helping to draft and shape that economic plan.”
He made a point of promising Republican governors “the hand of friendship, the same commitment to partnership as I do my Democratic colleagues.”
Obama spoke to a bipartisan group of state chief executives at historic Congress Hall that included former and possibly future political rivals. Among those in attendance were Republican Govs. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Sarah Palin of Alaska, the GOP vice presidential nominee in this year’s campaign.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Palin said she was “optimistic” about Obama’s bipartisan outreach. She also praised him for inviting governors into his Cabinet.
“On the campaign trail I tried to convince a majority of voters that governors knew best. Obviously that didn’t work, and I’m here and V.P.-elect Biden is there,” she said of her former adversary.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, said Obama and Biden “gave us an enormous opportunity that hasn’t been offered for some time. They consulted with the nation’s governors — both Democrats and Republicans — at the beginning of their transition. They reached out to all of us in an effort to get this country going again.”
“There’s broad agreement across political parties and ideologies that the country is in a perilous situation, which requires a substantial federal investment,” Baldacci said in a statement. “In the short term, we have to get things going. But in the long-term, we also have to be disciplined and balance the budget, which governors understand all too well.”
Republican and Democratic governors sat at desks in the hall, with no separation by party, and gave Obama and Biden a standing ovation.
Biden singled out Palin for thanks and said his former rival’s presence there is a sign that both parties are now confronting problems together. “Maybe walk outside with me later and say hello to me,” he said to laughter from the crowd.
“We’re going to be talking about what the elements of an economic stimulus plan will be,” said Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat who chairs the National Governors Association, told reporters there are upward of $136 billion in infrastructure projects that are “ready to go,” chiefly road and bridge repair projects that can get started especially quickly. Water and sewer projects and school repairs are other needs.
“We are not here asking for money for governors. If we’re asking for any money at all, it’s for the citizens of our states,” Rendell said.
Rendell and NGA Vice Chairman Jim Douglas, R-Vt., met Monday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who said Democrats will work to have the economic stimulus measure ready for Obama’s signature as soon as he takes office Jan. 20.
It’s expected to blend funding for infrastructure projects and Medicaid aid to the states with tax cuts, a temporary increase in food stamp payments, as well as investments in renewable energy projects and other “green jobs” initiatives. The NGA has proposed $40 billion over two years to temporarily increase the federal government’s contribution to the Medicaid program for the poor and disabled.
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor and Nedra Pickler in Washington and Beth Fouhy in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
On 12/3/08 at 6:20 AM,
Inland wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Obama's fiscal plans were scary enough. Now he's gonna listen to Baldy? Heaven help us!!!
On 12/3/08 at 6:31 AM,
politicallyincorrect wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
If Obama is taking advice from Baldacci we are surely screwed!
On 12/3/08 at 6:35 AM,
Tikitorch wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
The Country is never going to recover from this economy if the Delibama listens to Baldi!!!
On 12/3/08 at 7:07 AM,
Govt2Big wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Baldacci and Obama both need to realize we-must-cut wasteful and excessive spending. As illustrated by Wikipedia, the 2007 median HOUSEHOLD income for Maine was just $45,888. However, as a result of the political and fiscal games taking place within the Baldacci administration, an extremely large group of state employees are getting over compensated with OUR tax dollars.
2007 COMPENSATION ~ NAME // JOB TITLE
Source: http://www.maineopengov.org
$148,122 ~ Wyke, Rebecca // Comm Dept Of Admin & Fin Svcs
$140,563 ~ Thompson Jr, Richard E. // Chief Information Officer
$132,415 ~ Karass, Edward // State Controller
$132,055 ~ Giatas, Domna E. // Dep Comm Admin & Fin Services
$127,582 ~ Richardson Jr, John E. // Comm Dept Of Econ/Comm Dev
$110,150 ~ Whitcomb, Orman A. // Public Service Manager III
$108,494 ~ Oreskovich, Joyce A. // Public Service Manager II
$98,977 ~ Hanley, Elizabeth // Public Service Manager III
$98,333 ~ Osborne, William T. // Public Service Coordinator II
$98,295 ~ Eltman, Patricia J. // Public Service Executive II
$97,809 ~ Bisaillon-Cary, Janine M. // Public Service Executive II
$95,060 ~ Stevenson, Daniel H. // Public Service Manager II
$91,402 ~ Johnson, Deborah M. // Development Program Manager
$90,847 ~ Renault, Catherine // Public Service Executive II
$89,515 ~ Maher, Thomas P. // Technical Support Specialist
$89,317 ~ Knight, Tammy A. // Development Program Manager
$89,200 ~ Whitcomb, Breena L. // Public Service Coordinator I
$86,333 ~ Folsom, Donna // Financial Analyst
$81,939 ~ Beaudoin, Patricia L. // Public Service Manager II
$74,099 ~ McKinnon, Ronald L. // Public Service Coordinator II
$65,892 ~ Cook, James // Development Project Officer
$63,083 ~ Drew, Waneta A. // Secretary Specialist
$56,754 ~ Breault, Cheryl D. // Secretary Associate
$51,131 ~ Bolduc, Susan J. // Office Associate II
It's time for MAJOR CUTS, and we taxpayers must demand this before it's too late.
On 12/3/08 at 7:35 AM,
NochigahnehAlnabeh wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
What happened to, 'you betcha'.
I 'm sure she can still see Russia out her front door and has visions of Putin stopping by to ask for her advice.
Palin should just go away.
On 12/3/08 at 7:37 AM,
MrBeane wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Govt2Big, while you may have a point you do realize you are comparing apples to oranges? Income and total compensation are different, since compensation includes the employers cost of health care, employer retirement contributions, and employer social security taxes, among other things. The person at the bottom of your list is likely making a salary $30-35k at the highest.
Those total compensation packages are not out of line for the job titles, I know I wouldn't work for what most of them are getting paid.
On 12/3/08 at 7:52 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Right on MrBeane - I would add that if Maine is ever going to become a viable State, it needs to employ people who are educated, which means paying a salary that's in the right ballpark. I don't think a six figure salary is unreasonable for someone on the top tier of State governement. Govt2Big - it's never too late to go back to the University and increase your own income through higher education.
On 12/3/08 at 8:13 AM,
FREERADICAL wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
More spending = bigger government. Now that's "CHANGE"
On 12/3/08 at 8:21 AM,
Elizabethann wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Obviously these some of these people are making too much money because they are not doing their job.
On 12/3/08 at 8:36 AM,
searoses wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
the major cuts need to be get rid of the loop holds....and for any of you complaining about how much others make try doing their jobs for awhile....most of you would think differently if you did..many of them are over worked and they work for salory so there's no over time....I'm not saying at there isn't room for cuts and that everyone is doing their job...wasteful spending is everywhere..not just at the state house
On 12/3/08 at 8:40 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Bye Bye conservative's!!! Time to lose your grip on power for a few years.
On 12/3/08 at 9:06 AM,
Tikitorch wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
WE THE PEOPLE NEED TO START MAKING THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE.... THE GOVT WANTS TO CONTROL AND MAKE BUSINESS ACCOUNTABLE, WELL THEN THEY NEED TO PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH..... MAKE IT PUBLIC ALL TEH SPENDING HABITS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, CONGRESS, WHITE HOUSE, ALL OF IT!! I BET WE COULD CUT BILLIONS OF WASTEFUL SPENDING IN GOVT. EXPENSIVE DINNERS, PRIVATE JETS LIKE PELOSI'S.... WHY CAN'T POLITICIAN'S FLY AMERICAN OR DELTA? THEY SAY CHARITY STARTS AT HOME, WELL SO SHOULD BALANCING THE BUDGET AND HELPING THE ECONOMY!!
On 12/3/08 at 9:18 AM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Ha ha, government accountability, that's funny Tikitorch. The big news today is that the $700 billion financial bailout isn't accountable to taxpayers. From today's AP release: The Government Accountability Office said Tuesday that the Treasury Department has no mechanisms to ensure that banking institutions limit their top executives' pay and comply with other restrictions, and needs tougher controls to oversee the $700 billion financial bailout package. The Treasury Department's implementation of the rescue plan is insufficiently transparent and is not accountable to American taxpayers. The Government Accountability Office's report to Congress on Tuesday says Treasury has no mechanism in place to track how the banking system has used the taxpayer money that had purchased $150 billion in bank stocks as of Nov. 25. Auditors specifically cited weaknesses in determining whether institutions that received bailout money are complying with limits on pay for their executives and dividend payments for investors. Repeat: Treasury has no mechanism in place to track how the banking system has used the taxpayer money that had purchased $150 billion in bank stocks.
On 12/3/08 at 9:44 AM,
David889327 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Baldacci is well qualified to advise Obama on what it's like to manage a declining economy. How about putting in a big dump somewhere around D.C.?
On 12/3/08 at 10:11 AM,
Philster wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Maine will not get too much. After all Baldacci supported Hillary.
On 12/3/08 at 10:36 AM,
David889327 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Doesn't it appear in the photo that Obama is thinking, "Wow, white dudes are really stupid!"
On 12/3/08 at 11:26 AM,
mariahstorm wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Govt 2 Big is right on the money! They have soo many people doing the same jobs??? So why does it take 8 weeks to get a voucher from one venue changed to another? Takes that long to build a house! Not to pass paperwork.
Has anybody caught a quick flash of Old Gov. Angus King 's commercial pleading to los angelos to come to Maine??? Now why would he want that? To establish a gaming table for the rich??? via casinos??? He was the one who invited all bikers to Maine and they never left, Hells Angels stayed until moved out.of old orchard beach. That is the last thing we need from mr. king.
when you compare 7.00 per hour for the average folk against 100,000.00 per year, there is something drastically wrong with wage differences!
On 12/3/08 at 2:11 PM,
SteveyDee wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
OBONGA is helping the Maine economy. Bushmaster AR-15's are selling like hotcakes. Everyone is sold out or backordered ETC...........
On 12/3/08 at 6:16 PM,
greyhawk1 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
This man is insane. This country is in the mess that it is in now due to Democrat Spending, Regulations, Inane and useless laws, and bureaucracy, generally, and unfortunately, many of the states are in the mess they are in for the same reason, thanks to federal mandates on state and local governments. When are the citizens of this country that work for a living going to take this country back? I am sick of local governments as much as the feds. Everytime you turn around, some little city council, controlled by corrupt and incompetent hacks are creating new laws and ordinances that impede our basic rights, liberty, and freedom as American citizens. They jump on every knee jerk issue they can find. Ban smoking in private businesses. Ban this, ban that, and regulate, legislate, and tax. This is enough. All states need to follow the lead of Alaska and Louisiana. Bobby Jindal dismanteled Louisiana's state labor department in one fell swoop. We need to do things like this in every state and in the nation's capital. Get rid of all the worthless agencies such as HUD, U.S. Department of Education, EPA, and all the rest of these worthless entities that are destroying the credibility and productivity of this nation. Obama is totally out of control with his narcissistic and arrogant tendencies. A little redneck county here in Alabama that is run by incompetents passed a county hoilday this past week in honor of Obama, that they call the Barack Obama Day that coincides with the time this Marxist was elected. Obama Mania has run amok. You have every left wing bunch of kooks and loonies in the country acting out. Take the Radical Flaming Fags that are invading churches and making their displays of ignorance and insolence. These kooks are going to push folks too far. Every radical bunch of kooks in the country believe they have been given the green light to do any dispicable act they choose. If this arrogant narcissist Obama really gave a damn for this country, which is very questionable, given his past and his past associations, he would get on national TV and tell the kooks to climb back in their closets or under their rocks. But, of course he will not do this, because this is what Marxism is all about. Create Class Envy and empower fools. Wake Up America. We are in for a long, hard ride, and you better buckle up and suck it up, because this maniac and his ego are about to destroy this country, if we allow that to happen. Better speak up and speak out. The Silent Majority has been silent for far too long, and look at what we face now. Obama is going to finish us as a free, independent and sovereign nation, and I believe that this is his and the Marxist Congresses aim. They want us to resemble other worthless socialist countries such as France. A nation of fools and cowards.
On 12/3/08 at 9:10 PM,
Govt2Big wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
While I do agree with part of what both MrBeane and Bangorian have said, the bottom line here is that the Baldacci administration has done a terrible job with their overall fiscal and staff management operations for several years. Their spending is out of control and they have no accountability, while their democrat buddies in our legislature don't seem to care about anyone outside of their circle. It's time for these games to end, as Maine tax payers can only take so much.
As for the compensation figures posted, in short, the tax payers seem to be getting used by the politicians and union thugs whom keep the current political machine in Augusta running...but it's also dragging us closer to a world of socialism/communism. If you don't believe it, please pull your head up out of the sand and look at what's really happening to both our state and our country. It's not good, and it will surely get worse under Barack Hussein Obama.
On 12/17/08 at 8:33 PM,
mousehunt wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Put on your boots we are going to go for a ride.
Post a comment about this story
You must be logged in to post a comment.
click here to log in.
