President Obama meets with GOP governors

GOP governors hear pitch from President Obama

President Obama urged the critics of his stimulus package to consider the big picture.

''I just want us to not lose perspective," he said. "Most of the things that have been the topic of argument over the last several days amount to a fraction of the overall stimulus package.''

Looking at Republicans Haley Barbour of Mississippi and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, who have vowed not to accept money to extend unemployment benefits because it could increase taxes for employers -- Obama acknowledged they had "very legitimate concerns." But, he said, "what hasn't been noted is that it is $7 billion in a $787 billion program."

Gov. Crist of Florida, a GOP supporter of the plan, said, "the guy's (President Obama) right. . . . We are in an economic crisis. We need to come together as a country and focus on the big picture."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Democratic lawmakers say they'll apply for stimulus funds directly if Gov. Riley rejects them

ARKANSAS: Schools could be retrofitted with stimulus funds, says Gov. Beebe

FLORIDA: Voters must know human impact of budget cuts, says head of Florida Democratic Party

GEORGIA: "Living lawnmowers" seen as a way to get rid of weeds in a green manner

KENTUCKY: Mixed reaction from legislators to proposed investigative agency for General Assembly

LOUISIANA: Some in state say Gov. Jindal 'not conservative enough'

MISSISSIPPI: Senators reject plan to allow cities to increase property taxes for parks

NORTH CAROLINA: Proposed increase in home insurance premium rates defended by state insurance commissioner

SOUTH CAROLINA: State may have to wait for Medicaid stimulus funds

TENNESSEE: GOP lawmaker says his blog falls under 'legislative immunity'

VIRGINIA: General Assembly nears end of session with several important issues undecided

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