President-elect Barack Obama met with the nation's governors Tuesday to discuss an economic recovery plan to aid states in dealing with budget deficits.
In his address, Obama pledged his commitment to governors, stressing the need for a partnership between state and federal governments in overcoming economic hardships.
We have to recognize that any true solution will not come from Washington alone,"" Obama said. ""It will come from all of you. It will come from the White House and the State House working together every step of the way.""
Gov. Jim Doyle was among governors gathered in Philadelphia for the meeting. In a conference call, Doyle expressed a strong desire among governors to work with the new administration in creating a stimulus package focusing on infrastructure and employment.
The preliminary stimulus package includes major infrastructure investment and a focus on renewable and green energy as a way to drive the economy, Doyle said.
Recognizing the recent pressure placed on state government, Obama emphasized his administration's dedication to addressing the economic needs of individual states.
""Make no mistake, these are difficult times, and we're going to have to make hard choices in the months ahead about how to invest precious tax dollars and how to save them,"" Obama said.
According to Doyle, Obama asked governors to share with successful state-implemented programs that can be applied at a national level with his administration.
Senior Care, Wisconsin's senior drug program, is one such program that could improve health care at the federal level, Doyle said.
""Senior Care is far superior to the big Medicare part B that is now one of the most expensive programs in our nation,"" Doyle said. ""Senior Care actually saves money because we negotiate with drug companies and it is simpler for seniors to understand.""
Neither Obama nor Doyle provided numbers indicating the projected cost of the stimulus package.
Doyle said the package would relieve some of the state's deficit, but added it will not be the sole solution.
""There isn't enough federal money in the world to take care of the kind of deficits states are facing,"" Doyle said. ""We're going to have to make some very deep cuts in state government and they are going to be very painful.""
