Mayors, Guvs Jockey for Piece of Stimulus Pie

Many have budgets on hold until plan is finalized
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 16, 2009 12:40 PM CST
Mayors, Guvs Jockey for Piece of Stimulus Pie
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, flanked by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., left, and Rep John Larson, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Feb. 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

As the stimulus bill becomes law this week, state officials across the country are competing for their share of federal largess, the New York Times reports. Complex rules govern how money is doled out, and states are still catching up. “This is all rather daunting,” said the director of the National Association of State Governors. “It’s a lot of money, and this is happening fast.”

States in better fiscal shape worry they’ll get a smaller share of the money than others: Arkansas and North Carolina, for example, have balanced education budgets. “We don’t want to be penalized for not having a deficit,” said a spokesman for North Carolina’s governor.
(More President Obama stories.)

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