Missouri
Matt Blunt, Republican
Legislature: Republican
Grade: B
Took Office: January 2005
Matt Blunt has proposed and enacted some
ness tax rates. On spending, Blunt began his
modest tax cuts during his tenure, including
tenure with bold initiatives to cut state employ-
health care tax breaks, sales tax cuts for business
ment and to restrain Medicaid growth, and the
property, and a repeal of taxation on Social
general fund budget did not increase in 2006.
Security benefits. But Blunt has not focused on
After that promising start, however, state spend-
broader reforms to reduce individual or busi-
ing has grown fairly briskly in recent years.
Montana
Brian Schweitzer, Democrat
Legislature: Divided
Grade: D
Took Office: January 2005
Governor
Heineman is an
Governor Schweitzer has opposed the elim-
relief. Schweitzer recently offered Montanans a
ination of an uncompetitive tax on business
one-time property tax rebate, but that small
outstanding tax
equipment, and he has pushed to increase cor-
break is a pittance compared to the huge rev-
cutter.
porate taxes. In recent years, the state has
enues that have flowed into state coffers. Per
enjoyed large budget surpluses, but the gover-
capita spending growth has been enormous
nor and legislature have spent all the excess
under Schweitzer, averaging 15 percent annu-
funds rather than providing substantial tax
ally since 2005.
Nebraska
Dave Heineman, Republican
Legislature: Nonpartisan
Grade: B
Took Office: January 2005
Governor Heineman is an outstanding tax
including further income tax cuts and a
cutter. In 2006, he proposed substantial cuts
repeal of the estate tax. He has also support-
to personal income tax rates, and the legisla-
ed property tax relief. However, the governor
ture agreed to a compromise that raised
came just short of receiving a grade of A
income tax brackets. In 2007, Heineman
because spending has risen fairly quickly dur-
signed into law another array of tax cuts,
ing his tenure.
Nevada
Jim Gibbons, Republican
Legislature: Divided
Grade: B
Took Office: January 2007
Tax, but the legislature only agreed to put off
Jim Gibbons has promoted spending dis-
a scheduled increase in the tax. He has
cipline, while sticking to his campaign
opposed gasoline tax increases to fund high-
promise not to raise taxes. In 2007, he pro-
posed reductions in the Modified Business
way construction, instead calling for private
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