GOVERNORS: Tell Congress ‘Don’t Cut Funding’

      Wary of the current "impasse over tax cuts and the budget," the nation's governors yesterday called on Congress and President Clinton to work together to ensure continued federal funding for popular programs. At its annual conference, the National Governors' Association asked Washington to "maintain current commitments" to various social programs that have enabled states to cut welfare, expand health insurance and bolster job training. "The governors are deeply concerned about the potential impact that proposed cuts would have on states' ability to provide key human services," a unanimously approved resolution stated (Wolf, USA Today, 8/11). Governors are "particularly alarmed" by congressional proposals that include "recaptur[ing] excess welfare funds," and cutting children's health insurance and Medicaid. Newly appointed NGA Chair Gov. Mike Leavitt (R-UT) noted that continued federal funding of these programs was crucial: "We have made great gains, but the difficult half remains. It is a daunting task." Leavitt announced an "ambitious agenda" that included a year 2000 conference of all 50 governors and 100 senators to "focus on the state of federalism," as well as plans to help the states "adapt to the demands of an information age global economy" (Balz/Broder, Washington Post, 8/11).