PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama has promised the nation's governors equal friendship and cooperation in rebuilding the economy, regardless of party labels.

He says he wants the governors' advice in designing a recovery plan, and he's pledging to work quickly on tax cuts and increased federal spending.

Obama says the tax cuts will be geared toward "hard-pressed middle class families" and that the recovery plan will include "down payments on the investments we need to build a strong economy for years to come."

Most of the governors face deficits in their own states because of the economic downturn.

The recession and the accompanying increase in joblessness translate into higher health care costs for the poor, greater use of food stamps and added strain on welfare programs.

The governors want help with all that.

(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)