As Cuts Loom, Governors Seek More Control of Federal Funds to Lessen the Pain

From The New York Times:

Governors of both parties said on Saturday that they knew federal budget cuts were coming, and they pleaded with President Obama and Congress to give them more discretion over the use of federal money so they could minimize the pain for their citizens. 

 

“We are just saying — as you identify the federal cuts and savings — give us flexibility to make the cuts where they will do the least harm to our citizens,” said Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, a Republican and the vice chairwoman of the association. “Don’t balance the federal budget on the backs of state governments.”

 

The governors put aside their partisan disagreements and united in sending an urgent message to Congress.

“We do need to get our national deficit down,” Ms. Fallin said, “but give us flexibility. Relax those mandates. Give us some leeway.”