Gov. Chris Gregoire says she took advantage of a meeting with President Obama on health care reform to push for more federal money in 2011 to help states balance their budgets.

The governor met with Obama late last month and said she told him the states could be in big trouble in 2011 if the federal government doesn't send more money, particularly for Medicaid.

Washington alone got around $3 billion in federal stimulus money this year to help offset a $9 billion shortfall in the state budget.

"We cannot just turn this around on a dime and make up for all those cuts," Gregoire told reporters at a news briefing this afternoon, adding she expects a slow recovery from the recession.

Obama said he was worried about it, Gregoire said. "He knows how difficult a situation the states are in and what will happen when those federal dollars go away. He didn't say yes, but I was clearly left with the understanding that he gets it."

The governor also took a swing at Tim Eyman's latest initiative, which will be on the November ballot.

The measure, Initiative 1033, would limit revenue increases for state, city and county governments to the rate of inflation plus population growth. Additional money would have to be used to reduce the state property tax.

"If we want to make things worse, then Eyman's initiative is the way to go," Gregoire said. "Why do we think California is in the position it's in? You know what, I don't want to follow the lead of California on any of this ... To me Eyman's initiative is wrong for every level of government."

Eyman's response: "She's one vote and I'm sure some people are going to listen to what she has to say, but I think the majority of voters are going to think it's a good, positive thing" to bring back fiscal discipline.