AGs praise Obama administration

WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- State attorneys general say they are hopeful they can forge a strong relationship with Washington on issues like environmental protection and crime fighting.

Stateline.org reported Tuesday that the state officials met earlier this month with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

The Web site said state attorneys general of both parties said after the meeting there were signs that the Obama administration is working to improve relations in several areas of interest to the states.

Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler, a Democrat, praised the White House for allowing states to set stricter auto emissions than the federal government.

Gansler said the decision is an indication that states will no longer have to "sue the EPA to protect the environment."

Meanwhile, Colorado's Republican attorney general, John Suthers, hailed the Obama administration for including more than $2 billion in funding for anti-drug efforts in the recently approved economic stimulus package.