By now, you probably know that Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is counting on $3.4 billion in federal funds to help balance his proposed $55 billion state budget.

High-powered Democrats across the country are making their pitches to drum up support to approve the federal stimulus package.

According to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's office ...

On Friday, Strickland will join Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, and House Democratic Caucus Chair John Larson for a press conference in Williamsburg, Va., to discuss the economic challenges facing the country and the need for a comprehensive federal stimulus to create and save jobs and protect the critical health, education, and public safety services that states and communities provide.

Later, Strickland will join Governor Perdue, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and New York Governor David Paterson for a panel discussion on the economy and the impacts of the federal stimulus package on their states.

-- John Arthur Hutchison