Coalition Calls for Economic Recovery Package

A coalition of unions and other groups says the federal government needs to step in to help states like Pennsylvania, which is looking for ways to cut expenses in a slow economy. The Save Our States Coalition says if the government can afford a $700 billion bailout of Wall Street, it should be able to spend about $50 billion on things like higher Medicaid reimbursements, home heating aid, and extended unemployment benefits.

Governor Ed Rendell has said the state is looking for about $200 million in cuts in response to lower-than-expected revenues. David Fillman with Save Our States says cutbacks at the state level will trickle down to local communities and their residents, denying them important services at a time they're needed most.