President is preparing shift in New Federalism

President Reagan is preparing a revised ''New Federalism'' program which aides believe will have a better chance of being backed by governors and mayors than the initial plan, which was widely attacked as unfair.

Under the new proposal for shifting programs from federal to state control, the major change would be for the government to retain responsibility for food stamps and $19.1 billion in medicaid programs, aides said. Vermont Gov. Richard Snelling said heexpects Mr. Reagan to send the revised package to Congress within two weeks and predicts strong support for the policy among the governors.