President George W. Bush appeared reluctant to launch a second economic stimulus plan to jumpstart the world’s biggest economy, Washington state’s governor said after a White House meeting.
Governor Christine Gregoire and other members of the National Governors Association met Bush to plead for a second stimulus package amid fears of recession. Bush signed a 168-billion-dollar plan on February 13.
"I think I can summarize his remark best by saying he didn’t think he would be interested," Gregoire told reporters.
"If I was to characterize what he said, he wants to see what the results are of the stimulus package that was just passed and what, really, we can see in returns there, and wanted to have some time" the Democrat said.
Gregoire said Congress and Bush should give states a 12-billion-dollar infusion for infrastructure, including water projects, roads and bridges.
"I think on behalf of most, if not all, the governors, we believe that a stimulus package that can really work for America would complement the one that’s already been passed, and that is one that would really put people to work," she said.
The first stimulus plan clears the way for one time tax rebate checks to be mailed to tens of millions of Americans in coming months. The Economic Stimulus Act also calls for tax breaks aimed at firing up business investment.
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