Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday the federal government should give money to states as part of a financial stimulus package, insisting that such aid would not be a bailout.

The Republican governor portrayed federal aid as a way to recapture more of the tax dollars that California residents send to Washington.

“We are also asking the federal government to help,” Schwarzenegger told the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce. “Because we all know … they are giving us only 80 cents on the dollar. And there’s some $40-some billion they are holding back. So it’s not like we are asking for a bailout, because it’s our money. We’re just saying, ‘Hey, give us some of our money back.’ ”

Schwarzenegger sent a letter Oct. 21 to congressional leaders asking for assistance in the form of “a temporary increase in the Medicaid matching rate and/or by providing direct grants to states.” He also asked for money for infrastructure investment.

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