California
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican
Legislature: Democratic
Grade: C
Took Office: November 2003
When he first came to office, there were high
The governor's record on taxes is mixed. He
hopes that Arnold Schwarzenegger would
has resisted numerous tax increases proposed
make major reforms to California's bloated
by the legislature, but in 2007 he proposed a
budget. In his first year in office, Schwarzeneg-
huge payroll tax hike to fund his health care
ger did provide modest tax relief and he man-
plan. In 2008, he proposed raising the state sales
aged to restrain the state budget. However, part
tax by one percentage point to raise $5 billion
of his budget fix at the time--the issuance of
annually. The governor has also presided over
$15 billion in bonds to paper over the state's
large increases in state debt, which will likely
deficit--foreshadowed the irresponsible fiscal
mean higher taxes down the road. In addition
polices to come. In just two years--fiscal 2005 to
to the initial $15 billion debt package, the gov-
fiscal 2007--the state budget exploded from
ernor supported a huge $37 billion bond pack-
$80 billion to $101 billion. While the governor's
age for infrastructure in 2006, and this year he
Schwarzenegger
budgets have usually proposed moderate
wants to close the state budget gap by issuing
has had to deal
spending increases, the legislature seems to roll
$15 billion in bonds that securitize future lot-
over him and enact much larger increases. The
tery earnings. It is true that Schwarzenegger has
with a state
governor himself has proposed costly new pro-
had to deal with a state legislature full of big
legislature full of
grams, including a universal health care plan
spenders, but he is not the frugal-minded
big spenders, but
and an expensive scheme to limit greenhouse
reformer that he appeared to be when he first
gases.
came to office.
he is not the
frugal-minded
Colorado
reformer that he
appeared to be
Bill Ritter, Democrat
Legislature: Democratic
when he first
Grade: D
Took Office: January 2007
came to office.
Since taking office last year, a main focus
a ballot measure to increase severance taxes
of Governor Ritter has been to raise taxes. In
by about $200 million annually. Fortunately,
2007, he supported freezing reductions in
Ritter has a better record on spending. While
property taxes that are mandated under the
he has proposed new spending on education
state constitution's Taxpayer Bill of Rights
and health care, state budget growth has been
(TABOR). In 2008, he campaigned in favor of
modest under his tenure.
Connecticut
Jodi Rell, Republican
Legislature: Democratic
Grade: F
Took Office: July 2004
from $1.51 to $2.00 per pack and increasing
Governor Rell's fiscal record features
the top personal income tax rate from 5.0
numerous large tax increases. Rell's first bud-
percent to 5.5 percent. Luckily for taxpayers,
get proposed increases in cigarette taxes,
the income tax part of her plan did not pass
gasoline taxes, and various business taxes. In
2007 she proposed raising the cigarette tax
the legislature. On spending, Governor Rell
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