has usually proposed substantial increases,
budget cap to spend more than was allowed
and in 2007 she proposed skirting a state
under normal rules.
Delaware
Ruth Ann Minner, Democrat
Legislature: Divided
Grade: D
Took Office: January 2001
In her first few years in office, Governor
rapidly. On the tax side, Minner has supported
Minner demonstrated fiscal restraint, restrict-
increases to cigarette taxes, gasoline taxes, and
ing government employment growth and call-
vehicle fees. For businesses, she has provided a
ing for cuts to agency budgets. In recent years,
mix of tax cuts and increases--she cut the gross
as the economy expanded and revenues poured
receipts tax, but increased the corporate fran-
into state coffers, the budget has grown more
chise tax.
Florida
Charlie Crist, Republican
Legislature: Republican
Grade: A
Took Office: January 2007
Governor Crist has promoted major prop-
ple enjoy on their current homes from an
erty tax reductions. In 2007 he signed into
existing property tax cap. Amendment 1 is
law House Bill 1B, which required local gov-
expected to cut taxes by about $1.3 billion in
the first year, and rising amounts thereafter.28
ernments to roll back a portion of recent
House Bill 1B and Amendment 1 are large tax
property tax increases and set limits on
cuts, but they are complex and they create
future tax growth. This law will initially save
various economic distortions.29 On spending,
taxpayers up to $2.2 billion annually, and the
savings are expected to increase over time.27
Crist has promoted restraint. General fund
Crist also pushed for passage of Amendment
spending levels were roughly flat in his first
1, which was approved by voters in January
two budgets, and he frequently uses his line
2008. It increased homestead exemptions
item veto to strike unneeded spending from
and allowed portability of tax relief that peo-
bills.
Georgia
Sonny Perdue, Republican
Legislature: Republican
Grade: B
Took Office: January 2003
he was taking credit for tax cuts enacted under
Sonny Perdue campaigned on a pledge not
Governor Crist
the prior governor.30 However, Purdue has pro-
to raise taxes, yet shortly after taking office he
proposed a tax plan that included higher rates
posed some modest tax cuts in recent years,
has promoted
on cigarettes and alcohol. Facing an election in
and he has a relatively good record on spend-
major property
2006, he claimed to have saved state residents
ing. Per capita spending has risen at an average
tax reductions.
$2 billion in taxes since he came to office, but
rate of 3 percent annually during his tenure.
14