Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan governors say feds get in the way

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Republican governors of Nebraska, Iowa and Michigan say the federal government cramps the states' ability to create new jobs and stimulate regional economies.

Nebraska's Dave Heineman, Iowa's Terry Branstad and Michigan's Rick Snyder met Tuesday in Omaha with representatives of eight other states at the beginning of a two-day summit of the National Governors Association on regional economic development.

The governors and representatives of Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia are sharing best practices for creating jobs in their states.

Heineman, who leads the association, held a news conference with Branstad and Snyder. The three say higher taxes, more stringent regulations proposed on businesses and the Obama administration's health care overhaul are hurting business growth in their states.