Gov. Mike Easley said states have "about got to the limit."
In an interview on BBC's "World News America" Tuesday, Easley said states are having to cut their budgets because of the economic problems.
"Behind every one of those numbers is a face," he said. "Somebody's prescription drug, somebody's education, somebody's highways not getting built. Consequently it makes the state less competitive and at a disadvantage."
Easley said during tough economic times, more people apply for government services, so the states need federal help in the short term.
He argued that the federal government should work toward a balanced budget, but only after an stimulus package gets the economy running again.
"We want to make sure that we can start building the roads, bridges, things we haven't been able to build before, the schoolhouses," he said. "These things are going to have be done anyway. The government does pay for those. It's a question of whether it's being done at a state or federal level."
Easley was interviewed in Washington, D.C., during a stopover after his visit to an economic summit hosted by President-elect Barack Obama.
Hat Tip: Jon Ham
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Re: Easley: States need federal help now
Perhaps the king and queen could return their paychecks to help out the state. It still irks me that Mary got that cushy job and educators that have been working there for years toil on. Or the trips to wonderful places that cost the taxpayers so much, that money could have fed hungry children, etc.