New York, NY —

Governor Paterson says he's meeting with state lawmakers today to discuss what shovel-ready programs should get federal stimulus funds.

Paterson says republicans who continue to criticize the stimulus package as wasteful spending are missing some historical context. He says stimulus plans have worked in countries like Sweden, which he says reversed its recession within two years.

PATERSON: Historical data shows that we should take the money that the federal government is giving us and turn it into jobs all around the state.

REPORTER: President Obama says he wants states to begin spending half of their discretionary funds within the next 120 days.