2/22: Governors meet in Washington

USA Today: Governors meet in Washington

The winter meeting of the National Governors Association is underway in Washington, and governors from both parties are seeking more financial help from President Obama and Congress. They also want more attention from Washington.

High unemployment in many states has driven down tax collections even as the costs of Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income people, continue to skyrocket. Thirty-six states have been forced to cut $55.7 billion in fiscal year 2010, the report said, and states eliminated 18,000 jobs in January alone.

And, to add to the problem, 37 governorships -- currently, 19 Democrats and 18 Republicans -- will be decided in November's elections.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: No-bid clause part of electronic bingo bill in Alabama Senate

ARKANSAS: State's efforts on childhood obesity lauded by First Lady Obama

FLORIDA: Former House Speaker Ray Sansom resigns from legislature on Sunday

GEORGIA: Four-day school weeks get more interest from county BOEs

KENTUCKY: Number of uninsured in Kentucky rises sharply, acco. to survey

LOUISIANA: State's wetlands affected by Mississippi's dams along Missouri River

MISSISSIPPI: Editorial: Alabama, Mississippi need stronger voter ID law

NORTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Toward improving imperfect system

SOUTH CAROLINA: Bill seeks to cut corporate income tax

TENNESSEE: Agricultural tourism proves to be a boon for farmers, state

VIRGINIA: House and Senate adopt competing budget plans on Sunday

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