Where does your governor stand on the stimulus bill being fought out in Congress?

While a handful of Republican governors gained national attention for speaking out against Congressional spending, most Southern leaders are more receptive -- either embracing the plan, or at least voicing support for getting emergency money to hard-hit states.

Among those giving a solid "aye" to the stimulus bill:

* Florida's Gov. Charlie Crist (R), who signed a letter [pdf] along with three other Republican governors and 14 Democrats -- including Gov. Tim Kaine (D) from Virginia -- to President Obama last week, stating:

As stewards of the economies of our respective states and regions, we urge the Congress to reach prompt resolution of all outstanding differences and for you to sign the bill when it reaches your desk.

* North Carolina's new Gov. Bev Perdue (D) joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last Friday to endorse the bill, making this statement:

I can tell you the people of North Carolina are watching what our congressional members and our senators do, because they are the ones that will suffer if there is not an immediate resolution to this challenge for America.

* Tennessee's Gov. Phil Bredesen (D), who give his State of the State address tonight, has said a stimulus bill will be essential to closing his state's $900 million budget gap for 2009-2010.

* Gov. Bob Riley (R) of Alabama -- whose Congressional delegation voted against the stimulus bill 6-1 -- hasn't embraced Obama's stimulus package, but is on record saying his state wants and needs a federal economic boost:
Riley, a former congressman, said he's not recommending any particular stimulus plan, but is encouraging Congress to pass one because he considers it a crucial foundation for economic recovery.

* Similarly, Gov. Mike Beebe (D) of Arkansas has voiced general support for a stimulus, saying his state needs the estimated $2 billion (although he also said a stimulus bill shouldn't create new programs).

On the other side of the coin are several governors who are outspoken opponents of a Congressional stimulus bill. Republicans Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Rick Perry of Texas and Mark Sanford of South Carolina have all made prominent statements against the bill. Jindal has said he would take stimulus money, but would have voted against it.

Most of the other governors seem to be taking a "wait and see" approach. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the debate is especially tortured in Georgia, where Congressional Republicans have vehemently opposed the stimulus but GOP state lawmakers face a 19% drop in revenues and cuts up to $2 billion.

UPDATE: While Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has made it clear that he vehemently opposes the stimulus -- he also has a list of projects handy if the stim bill happens to go through:

"The governor has been pretty clear that he thinks it is bad policy and does not support it," said Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle. "But he has said that if Washington is going to be sending out taxpayer dollars, a large portion of which is Texas taxpayer dollars, we'll fight for our fair share."

From Georgia, Southern Political Report is saying that Gov. Sonny Perdue has been staying relatively quiet, but he state Department of Transportation sent its wishlist to Washington a month ago."