47 governors sign on to letter to Congress; Pawlenty not among them

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:

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.