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O'Malley Continues Work on Forclosure Relief

Gov. Martin O’Malley announced that Maryland has reached agreements with six mortgage servicing companies to create a streamlined and transparent loss mitigation process for distressed Maryland homeowners. Together, these companies service 23% of home loans in Maryland. “During this time of economic uncertainty, we must do all that we can to protect our middle class families and keep our families in their homes,” said Gov. O’Malley. “I want to thank these six lending companies for taking the lead in their industry, and becoming part of the solution for distressed homeowners in Maryland.” Read more

AZ- Napolitano Recognized for Leadership. Honoring her significant contributions to improving the lives of women, children and families, Gov. Janet Napolitano will be awarded the annual Sandra Day O’Connor Award at the Arizona Foundation for Women’s 12th annual Sandra Day O’Connor Awards luncheon. The award honors women for being pioneers in their fields and serving as role models to generations of American women. Read more

CO- Ritter Plans Japan Trip. Gov. Bill Ritter and Colorado business leaders are planning a trade mission to Japan later this month. The governor’s office says the mission will include about 40 representatives from different economic sectors, including renewable energy, bioscience and tourism. One of the objectives will be trying to get a direct flight from Denver to Tokyo. Read more

MI- Granholm Playing Pivotal Role in Transition. Granholm not only attended Transitional Economic Advisors meeting with Barack Obama , but played a pivotal role, sitting just on the other side of Joe Biden. She was also the only panel member that Obama singled out during the news conference that followed, saying he will assist the auto industry. Granholm was interviewed by a number of national news networks, and held her own news conference in Lansing, saying she is more optimistic about the auto industry’s chances now. Read more

MT- Schweitzer Continues Rise in Democratic Ranks. Gov. Brian Schweitzer coasts into his second term with a big re-election endorsement. Schweitzer’s image as an up-and-coming Western star for the Democrats is likely to keep growing. Schweitzer beat his opponent by a 2-1 margin despite thousands the GOP spent on attack ads. “We have a lot of work to do. There are still a significant number of people who didn’t support us,” Schweitzer said. “And we understand we represent everyone in Montana, not just the ones who supported us in re-election.” But the governor said he does take the victory as an endorsement of what he has done so far, such as looking to expand fishing and hunting access and pursuing new sources of energy along with oil and gas. Read more

NJ- Corzine Offers Measures to Fix Economy. Gov. Jon Corzine on Friday appeared on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann. He discussed what President-elect Obama can do to begin repairing the nation’s economy. Watch here

NY- Paterson Launches Budget Website. Gov. David Paterson has made it clear—the state of New York is facing a major economic crisis, and it needs to be confronted right now. As he moves forward with a plan, he’s calling on you for advice. The state announced a new website called reducenyspending.gov that will lead the public in a discussion about our current economic problems. You’ll find information about New York’s fiscal condition and Gov. Paterson’s initiatives to control state spending; there’s also a section for New Yorkers to submit potential savings ideas. And you’ll find a calculator that allows you to create your own proposal to balance next year’s budget. Read more

NC- Budget Top Priority for Perdue. Governor-elect Bev Perdue says O. Max Gardner, a governor and Democratic power broker in the first half of the 20th century, is one of her favorite political figures in Tar Heel history. Gardner was in office at the beginning of the Great Depression, and Perdue said he set an example relevant to the current economic crisis. “He used the time as a transformational period for the state of North Carolina,” Perdue said. Instead of simply cutting the state’s budget, Gardner invested in roads and universities so the state would be positioned to prosper when the economy turned around. And even as North Carolina faces a budget shortfall, Perdue says the state needs to invest in education, transportation and other pillars of economic development. The day I take office, I’m going to be prepared to deal with a global economic crisis,” Perdue said. Read more

OR- Kulongoski Working to Create Jobs. Democrats swept into office last week on promises they would patch up a broken economy. Now, Gov. Kulongoski and legislative leaders say they are ready to deliver with a big job-creating transportation package as a first step. Kulongoski will appear at a legislative hearing to make his case for a plan that could raise the state gasoline tax and vehicle fees to pay for road and bridge improvement projects and create thousands of new construction-related jobs. The governor says the greatest need is to put people back to work and that the best way to do that is by investing in the state’s infrastructure. Read more

PA- Rendell Invests in Agriculture, Tourism. A tourist attraction and a dozen farm operations in rural communities throughout the commonwealth will be able to acquire new land, buy new equipment and build and renovate buildings with the support of new state investments announced by Gov. Ed Rendell. “We’re continuing to invest in two industries that are important to our rural communities – agriculture and tourism,” said Gov. Rendell after the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the projects through the First Industry Fund. “The investments we’re announcing will enable these businesses to undertake projects that will position them to grow, create new jobs, and support the economy in the communities they call home.” Read more

WV- Manchin, After Big Victory, Pitches Health Plan. Buoyed the largest victory margin ever won by someone seeking his office, Gov. Joe Manchin vowed to extend health coverage to every uninsured working West Virginian—possibly through the main benefits program for state employees. Manchin said he could propose expanding the state’s Public Employees Insurance Agency to cover small businesses. He may also ask lawmakers to let the working poor keep their Medicaid benefits for 10 years once their rising income otherwise leaves them ineligible. The grace period is now five years. “I’m committed to getting every working person health care,’’ the Democrat told The Associated Press.”They’ll say it’s too costly. Well, hell, it’s costly now.’’ Read more

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