Beebe, Obama to attend National Gov's Association meeting

Matt DeCample tells Stephens Media that Governor Beebe and other governors will meet with President-elect Barack Obama at Independence Hall in Philadelphia next week to discuss the economy. NGA Chairman and PA Governor Ed Rendell is hosting the meeting. Ought to be an interesting meeting, since Pennsylvania and several other states are facing a budget shortfall.

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer states that a stimulus package involving state and local governments will be a central topic at the meeting. Many economists think aid to state and local governments should be a key part of any new stimulus spending, as they have less borrowing authority than the federal government and are more pinched by an economic downturn. Rendell told the Inquirer that Obama reached out to the NGA to get opinions to shape the stimulus package. Lt. Governor Bill Halter will serve as governor in Beebe's absence.