Nov 30, 2008 5:05 pm US/Central
Obama, Governors to Meet On State Budget Shortfall
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich will travel to Philadelphia Monday and Tuesday to meet with President-Elect Barack Obama and others to discuss how the federal government can assist states in addressing their state budget shortfalls.
Illinois has a 2009 fiscal year budget deficit of $2 billion because of the national economic downturn, according to a Blagojevich release. In total, 31 states and the District of Columbia are facing mid-year budget gaps, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Two weeks ago, Blagojevich announced a four-pronged plan to manage Illinois' budget deficit. As part of the plan, the Governor sent a letter to congressional leaders and Obama's transition team to request increased federal stimulus aid, the release said.
The Governor's plan includes the following components: continued belt tightening, an emergency budget act, increased federal stimulus and short-term borrowing.
The meeting in Philadelphia will give Blagojevich and other governors and opportunity to explain their concerns about their state budgets and propose options for federal assistance, the releases said.
"Unfortunately, the poor national economic situation has had a negative effect on many state budgets," Blagojevich said. "In Illinois, we have to make difficult decisions to determine how to make reductions while still providing core services. I look forward to meeting with other governors and President-Elect Barack Obama to discuss strategies for dealing with state budget shortfalls and a federal stimulus plan that addresses states' needs. To assist families and local businesses through this bad economy, Illinois needs a budget that works."
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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