Gov. David Paterson and some of the nation?s other governors met with President Barack Obama Monday to discuss the disbursement of the economic stimulus package.

Obama announced that his administration will quickly release $15 billion of the package to help with state Medicaid costs. Medicaid reimbursements directly impact state and county budgets.

In an address to the governors, Obama took on critics who say the stimulus plan is wasteful. He says his plan will keep teachers in their classrooms, give tax cuts to 95 percent of working families and improve infrastructure. Obama told the governors those improvements ?will enhance the quality of life of your state, but also make it more economically competitive. That's not wasteful."

New York will see just under $25 billion over the next two years from the stimulus plan, but specific projects are still in the process of being chosen. Paterson will speak to the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials in Albany Monday night about his meeting with the president.