Some states fixing economy independently

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Some U.S. states are taking independent action to fix the struggling economy as they await additional federal assistance, experts say.

Sujit CanagaRetna, a Council of State Governments senior fiscal analyst, said states such as Florida, Ohio and Vermont have already implemented plans to aid their own economies while awaiting a national economic stimulus package, Stateline.org said Friday.

"It's clearly unusual and very innovative. It's a great way to get state economies going again," CanagaRetna said.

Stateline.org said similar efforts are also being eyed in California, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

Through the use of economic actions such as bonding, those states are implementing stimulus packages that could potentially increase loans and reinvigorate area businesses.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said such state actions are necessary given the delay in the passage of a second federal stimulus plan.

"We don't have the luxury of waiting for January when I make my budget proposal or hold my State of the State Address," Schwarzenegger said. "We have a dramatic situation here and it takes dramatic solutions and immediate action. We must stop the bleeding."