In Washington, DC for a National Governors Association meeting, 47 governors signed on to a letter to congressional leaders asking them to extend increased federal spending on Medicaid, as originally in the stimulus bill.

Although Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was at the NGA meeting and relies $387 million of the anticipated federal Medicaid cash, also known as stimulus cash, to balance his budget proposal, his name isn't on the list.

Pawlenty's called the federal stimulus bill "largely a waste of money" and "incoherent." Democrats have said Pawlenty is a hypocrite for criticizing the federal spending and then reaping the measure's benefits.

The governors who did sign the letter said the extra federal cash, recommended by President Obama and approved by the House, would "greatly assist us in maintaining services and further stabilizing the economy."

There are five commonwealth or territorial governors on the list and well as 42 states' governors.

Pawlenty is a past chairman of the National Governors Association.

Here's the complete letter:

Dear Madam Speaker, Mr. Boehner, Senator Reid and Senator McConnell:

On behalf of the nation's governors we write to request your assistance in protecting jobs and speeding economic recovery by extending the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) enhanced federal match for Medicaid (FMAP) for two additional quarters.

Unfortunately, the length and depth of the recession means states and territories will continue to face significant budget shortfalls long after the enhanced FMAP provisions expire at the end of this calendar year.

States and territories are in the process of finalizing budgets for FY 2011 that our legislatures will be considering over the next several months. Timely passage of an extension of ARRA's enhanced FMAP would greatly assist us in maintaining services and further stabilizing the economy.

To maximize the positive impact of FMAP enhancements on the economy, Congress should also modify ARRA's existing maintenance of effort (MOE) provisions. Restoring flexibility to manage our Medicaid programs and enact common sense reforms is critical to ensuring the program's ongoing and future stability.

Governors appreciated the inclusion of enhanced FMAP provisions in ARRA. We are committed to encouraging job creation and speeding recovery and urge you to work with us by extending FMAP enhancements and restoring state flexibility over Medicaid as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Governor James H. Douglas
Vermont
Governor Joe Manchin III
West Virginia
Governor Martin O'Malley
Maryland
Governor Dave Freudenthal
Wyoming
Governor Bill Ritter Jr.
Colorado
Governor Jack Markell
Delaware
Governor Bev Perdue
North Carolina
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Michigan
Governor Sonny Perdue
Georgia
Governor Pat Quinn
Illinois
Governor Donald L. Carcieri
Rhode Island
Governor Edward G. Rendell
Pennsylvania
Governor Mike Beebe
Arkansas
Governor Chris Christie
New Jersey
Governor John H. Lynch
New Hampshire
Governor Luis Fortuño
Puerto Rico
Governor Brian Schweitzer
Montana
Governor Steven L. Beshear
Kentucky
Governor Jim Gibbons
Nevada
Governor John Baldacci
Maine
Governor Bob Riley
Alabama
Governor Christine O. Gregoire
Washington
Governor Sean Parnell
Alaska
Governor Phil Bredesen
Tennessee
Governor M. Michael Rounds
South Dakota
Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono
American Samoa
Governor Brad Henry
Oklahoma
Governor Robert F. McDonnell
Virginia
Governor Haley Barbour
Mississippi
Governor Deval Patrick
Massachusetts
Governor Jay Nixon
Missouri
Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski
Oregon
Governor Chester J. Culver
Iowa
Governor Felix Camacho
Guam
Governor M. Jodi Rell
Connecticut
Governor Linda Lingle
Hawaii
Governor David A. Paterson
New York
Governor Jim Doyle
Wisconsin
Governor Ted Strickland
Ohio
Governor Mitch Daniels
Indiana
Governor Bill Richardson
New Mexico
Governor Dave Heineman
Nebraska
Governor John deJongh, Jr.
Virgin Islands
Governor Mark Parkinson
Kansas
Governor Charlie Christ
Florida
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
California
Governor Benigno Fitial
Northern Mariana Islands