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Gov. Jack Markell, (D-Del.), on efforts to reach a solution to avoid the fiscal cliff.
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Came in part to make sure that the voices in the issues that we face as governors in the states are heard and are considered as part of the discussions going on here in Washington.
The president was very open to that said that we would continue to have a -- at the table.
United express to get a seat at the table well if you have a table in their seats about one so.
You know come down bid the issue -- yet any influence when you're speaking from that -- at that table.
A global bipartisan governors are meeting with the president today democratic governor Deborah held.
Delaware among them keep in -- -- governors have to do the heavy lifting if we come into this cliff.
And it hits them directly and you'll certainly feel -- within your state governor do you think we're gonna.
Avoid this thing what is your -- today.
I don't know -- the governor Eddie the president -- today was so certainly very focused on now wanting to get to a solution he didn't handicap at forest but.
If you can tell he wants to get it done -- -- wants to get it done because he sees the the damage in terms of the economy had the damage in terms of middle class taxes going up in the like.
Think he's overplaying its hand by that I mean I was -- prior segment.
First words are about 800 billion dollars attack sites now he's some one point six -- -- hasn't really detailed months in a way of spending cuts and unless you count.
You know repackaging the 800000000002 a trader that was -- -- do in the last meeting so there was.
Don't Republicans that at least to gripe that he's he's kind of skewed in favor of taxes taxes taxes.
I'm not gonna play pundit here you know our our our purpose in coming to Washington.
A group of three Democrats and three Republicans governors was to make sure that the perspective of the governor's is heard and we.
You know that the meeting with the president today it was a very productive.
He clearly I was sitting adjusted -- I candidates and understands the what did he agreed it.
Well on the look for so we we didn't come to support his -- -- the Republican plan and I think what it them the most why did you think -- what did you want.
We came because as these conversations are -- going on we wanna make sure that the perspective of the governor's.
Is hurting the fact is -- states are very impaired our partners with the federal government across the whole range.
Of programs.
And an answer is not just to shift the cost from the to the states you don't.
Just because you move money off the federal budget doesn't mean you're saving at them at the money then has to be picked up.
By the states we talked about the importance of flexibility.
Insert in terms of some of the state programs and the president was very open to that.
But governor you -- one of the most I guess a flock of a better term incorporated states in the country so many.
Companies corporation set up shop in your very business friendly environment.
-- Delaware and a lot of the businesses.
Represented there are nervous about what's going on -- Washington and that it's gonna -- of art and they feel that they've been.
You don't run it into a brick wall.
Having their interests -- or at least address what what he's.
What I think that anxiety about the lack of -- certainty is one of the things that's driving the presidential try to wanna get.
That's something done here he recognizes that the U when.
When there's the certainty when there's clarity for the business community is more likely that they're going to be expanding investing hiring and the like and I think that's one that they -- -- the car.
Notwithstanding governor what's warning them is the fact that you raise dividend related taxes capital gains taxes leaving aside.
The taxes on the upper income.
But the EU are going to do sustainable damage that's what many of them fear -- they fear that message is not getting across.
That that that a bad deal.
It could be worse than no deal -- so -- constructed.
A long.
Taxes taxes taxes.
-- -- nobody wants a bad deal at the same time as I've read some of the comments from business leaders who have been -- Washington over the last couple weeks.
They've said they they want a balanced approach -- we didn't come today is down already broad steel governor.
-- I'm not gonna get into that well that not enough I mean is it dollar for dollar taxes.
Vs rendered him vs spending cuts what would been relatively.
That's going to be something for the that you're the administration and leaders in congress of you know both parties to work out we're gonna let them do that what -- -- and I.
There are a limited nearly governor why don't the White House and integration using -- we don't want.
You know in favor of and not -- -- gives it like it at the time.
But you know three dollars.
If you know it isn't in in spending cuts -- one dollar in hikes now it's just the opposite.
Three dollars in tax sites for.
All hope for one dollar in spending cuts that is -- good man is -- The reason that was said to answer your question which is why blog go to the White House -- mean a couple things first of all.
Significant concerns about the fiscal implications what it could mean for state budgets if -- an agreement -- a -- agreement is reached.
And secondly the impact on our on our economies and do you want to hear -- Even if it's not a perfect deal -- -- it is not a great deal.
Did the risk of no deal at and that dividend recessionary risks and what are are so great that that that trumps all.
Well I think you have to look at -- but I mean certainly if middle class taxes go up that's not going to be that's not gonna be good for those taxpayers is not going to be good.
For any of our economy -- that is that that's and that is critical and I think again this certainty for the business community so that they can invest and -- also really important.
Governor thank you very much are --
