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Governor Charlie Crist joined other governors in a closed door meeting with President-Elect Barack Obama in Philadelphia today. The governors are asking the president-elect for a combined 176 billion dollars. As Whitney Ray tells us, Governor Crist is seeking money to protect Medicaid programs and speed up road construction.

Hear it Here: Governor Seeks Federal Dollars

Florida has seven billion dollars in road projects ready to go but not enough money to get moving. Governor Charlie Crist is asking President-Elect Barack Obama for money to speed up construction. Doug Callaway, the President of Floridians for Better Transportation said building roads is the best way to boost the economy.

“For every one dollar you invest in transportation it yields a 5.60 return, you think good gosh, why aren’t we putting all of our money into transportation right now,” said Callaway.

Pumping money into road projects would also create thousands of jobs. On the campaign trail in September, Obama said improving transportation was part of his plan to fix the economy.

“Let’s put people back to work rebuilding our roads, rebuilding our bridges,” Obama said.

While Obama seems poised to fund road projects, the governor’s wish list doesn’t stop there. Beside’s meeting with the president-elect face to face, Governor Charlie Crist also sent him this two page letter, outlining Florida’s economic situation and asking for a billion dollars to fund Medicaid programs.”

AARP Spokesman Dave Bruns said without more money, health care programs for the working poor could be cut.

“Without Federal assistance Florida legislators might find themselves in a position where they’re going to be asked to cut these programs,” Bruns said.

While Obama told the governors he would offer assistance, how much and how soon are questions that still haven’t been answered. Giving billions of dollars to state governments is just one part of President-Elect Obama’s economic rescue plan that could total as much as 700 billion dollars. Obama is expected to pass the stimulus package during his first week in office.