WoodysGirl
03-24-2009, 07:26 PM
Mike Memoli – Tue Mar 24, 1:15 am ET
The nation's governors were the first group to be honored with a formal White House dinner in the Obama administration last month, and the president said it was because no group understands "the struggles, hopes hardships and the dreams of the American people" as well as them. "You're where the rubber hits the road. And you have to make tough decisions all the time," Obama told them.
The decisions being made in state houses across the nation have rarely been tougher than they are today, and the electoral consequences could be significant. As many as 21 governors will likely seek new terms in 2009 and 2010, and incumbency is typically a formidable advantage. But given the immense challenges many state leaders are facing as a result of the recession, and the fact that economists say that any recovery may not take hold until next year at the earliest, governors must weigh both the policy and the political implications of every tough decision.
More from RealClearPolitics: 10 States in the Biggest Budget Trouble
Each state has its unique political environment, but the fate of Jon Corzine - the only incumbent governor on the ballot this year -- could be the first indicator of the challenges other governors might face in 2010. Corzine, who's never been particularly popular in the Garden State, starts his re-election year defending what he called a "sobering" budget plan, which originally called for cutting popular programs like annual property tax rebates in an effort to cut the state's projected $3.6 billion deficit.
"It's certainly not a budget designed to please," Corzine told lawmakers in a budget address two weeks ago. "I'm pained by the stress and anguish brought to our people's lives by the cuts proposed. [But] we are positioned between a rock and a hard place."
The state has long faced budget problems, but these problems are growing worse, Corzine said, amidst "a gathering national economic recession." His likely opponent in the general election, former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, countered that state's problems are largely of its own making and that Corzine failed to deliver on his promise to right the state's finances.
"[We're] not only bad off relative to our past, we're bad relative to every other state in the country," Christie told RCP during a visit to Washington last month. "We're 50th in business tax climate. We're 50th for small business. Of the 20 most expensive property tax counties in the country, 13 of the 20 are in New Jersey. So, you know, I don't think that's basis for renewing his contract for another four years."
Looking ahead, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, head of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), said that the governors facing re-election in 2010 are not "worried about politics right now, they're concerned about putting people back to work." Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Md.), one of those running in this climate, said that voters are understanding of the choices these leaders have to today.
"To govern is to be willing to make tough choices," said O'Malley, who recently called for additional spending cuts to address falling tax revenues. "To govern is to be willing to sacrifice and ask people to sacrifice today in order to make a better tomorrow. And that's what our governors ... have been doing."
Poll numbers are starting to show otherwise, however. A slew of recent polls show Corzine trailing Christie in New Jersey. In Ohio, Gov. Ted Strickland has seen his once-soaring approval rating dip as the state faces an 8.8 percent unemployment rate and works to close a significant budget shortfall. His approval rating is still a solid 56 percent according to a recent Quinnipiac poll, but for the first time more voters disapprove of his handling of the economy.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is trying to sell the overwhelmingly Democratic legislature on a 19-cent gas tax to address financial woes in the state Turnpike Authority. Such a move would give the state one of the highest gas taxes in the country, but is necessary to stave off massive toll increases, he has said. Patrick is so unpopular that he faces the prospect of a primary challenge from state Treasurer Tim Cahill, a more fiscally conservative Democrat.
Internal challenges also loom in New York and Illinois, where David Paterson and Pat Quinn, respectively, inherited grave budget situations when they replaced scandal-plagued former running mates. Paterson registered a record low approval rating in a recent Marist poll, owed not only to his handling of the state's Senate appointment but also a growing sense that he does not have the answers to New York's budget crisis. Quinn is still largely unknown among Illinois voters, but faces an uphill challenge after launching his administration with a proposed 50 percent increase in the state's income tax.
It's not just Democrats facing unpopular choices. Jan Brewer, a Republican who assumed the governorship when Janet Napolitano joined the Obama Cabinet, has called for a temporary tax increase to close Arizona's budget deficit. Fellow Republicans in the state legislature have been resistant; Brewer told the Arizona Republic Thursday that they are in "denial" over the severity of the crisis.
The mammoth $787 billion stimulus package that recently passed Congress is expected to provide some relief. O'Malley, whose 2006 victory in Maryland over then-Gov. Bob Ehrlich was buoyed by the national Democratic wave, said that governors now "have a president who's on our side." Indeed, the stimulus plan is proving to be a real shot in the arm, with $144 billion targeted to state and local governments.
Some Republican governors drew considerable attention by stating they would reject some of the money directed toward states. It's no coincidence that those who didn't reject stimulus funds are among those most in need of the money, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. His state will receive more than $3 billion through the stimulus plan, which is actually greater than the projected 2009 deficit.
But the long term forecast in the states is still grim, with projected deficits only expected to grow in 2010. That's one reason why some speculate Crist may choose to run in Florida's open-seat Senate race next year, rather than stay in his current post.
In the meantime, Governor Schweitzer had advice for his incumbent colleagues struggling with budget shortfalls: "Good fiscal management and good leadership will take care of elections." Easily said for someone with term limits.
More from RealClearPolitics: 10 States in the Biggest Budget Trouble (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/realclearpolitics/cm_rcp/storytext/economic_crisis_puts_incumbent/31410890/SIG=14581lfod;_ylt=AiDS.jREZxmM1lZj_nxSAiHSos4F;_y lu=X3oDMTE4MTNqdjg0BHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl9zdG9yeV9ib2R 5BHNsawNtb3JlZnJvbXJlYWw-/*http://www.realclearpolitics.com/lists/biggest_state_deficits/introduction1.html?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=news)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/realclearpolitics/economic_crisis_puts_incumbent
The nation's governors were the first group to be honored with a formal White House dinner in the Obama administration last month, and the president said it was because no group understands "the struggles, hopes hardships and the dreams of the American people" as well as them. "You're where the rubber hits the road. And you have to make tough decisions all the time," Obama told them.
The decisions being made in state houses across the nation have rarely been tougher than they are today, and the electoral consequences could be significant. As many as 21 governors will likely seek new terms in 2009 and 2010, and incumbency is typically a formidable advantage. But given the immense challenges many state leaders are facing as a result of the recession, and the fact that economists say that any recovery may not take hold until next year at the earliest, governors must weigh both the policy and the political implications of every tough decision.
More from RealClearPolitics: 10 States in the Biggest Budget Trouble
Each state has its unique political environment, but the fate of Jon Corzine - the only incumbent governor on the ballot this year -- could be the first indicator of the challenges other governors might face in 2010. Corzine, who's never been particularly popular in the Garden State, starts his re-election year defending what he called a "sobering" budget plan, which originally called for cutting popular programs like annual property tax rebates in an effort to cut the state's projected $3.6 billion deficit.
"It's certainly not a budget designed to please," Corzine told lawmakers in a budget address two weeks ago. "I'm pained by the stress and anguish brought to our people's lives by the cuts proposed. [But] we are positioned between a rock and a hard place."
The state has long faced budget problems, but these problems are growing worse, Corzine said, amidst "a gathering national economic recession." His likely opponent in the general election, former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, countered that state's problems are largely of its own making and that Corzine failed to deliver on his promise to right the state's finances.
"[We're] not only bad off relative to our past, we're bad relative to every other state in the country," Christie told RCP during a visit to Washington last month. "We're 50th in business tax climate. We're 50th for small business. Of the 20 most expensive property tax counties in the country, 13 of the 20 are in New Jersey. So, you know, I don't think that's basis for renewing his contract for another four years."
Looking ahead, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, head of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), said that the governors facing re-election in 2010 are not "worried about politics right now, they're concerned about putting people back to work." Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Md.), one of those running in this climate, said that voters are understanding of the choices these leaders have to today.
"To govern is to be willing to make tough choices," said O'Malley, who recently called for additional spending cuts to address falling tax revenues. "To govern is to be willing to sacrifice and ask people to sacrifice today in order to make a better tomorrow. And that's what our governors ... have been doing."
Poll numbers are starting to show otherwise, however. A slew of recent polls show Corzine trailing Christie in New Jersey. In Ohio, Gov. Ted Strickland has seen his once-soaring approval rating dip as the state faces an 8.8 percent unemployment rate and works to close a significant budget shortfall. His approval rating is still a solid 56 percent according to a recent Quinnipiac poll, but for the first time more voters disapprove of his handling of the economy.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is trying to sell the overwhelmingly Democratic legislature on a 19-cent gas tax to address financial woes in the state Turnpike Authority. Such a move would give the state one of the highest gas taxes in the country, but is necessary to stave off massive toll increases, he has said. Patrick is so unpopular that he faces the prospect of a primary challenge from state Treasurer Tim Cahill, a more fiscally conservative Democrat.
Internal challenges also loom in New York and Illinois, where David Paterson and Pat Quinn, respectively, inherited grave budget situations when they replaced scandal-plagued former running mates. Paterson registered a record low approval rating in a recent Marist poll, owed not only to his handling of the state's Senate appointment but also a growing sense that he does not have the answers to New York's budget crisis. Quinn is still largely unknown among Illinois voters, but faces an uphill challenge after launching his administration with a proposed 50 percent increase in the state's income tax.
It's not just Democrats facing unpopular choices. Jan Brewer, a Republican who assumed the governorship when Janet Napolitano joined the Obama Cabinet, has called for a temporary tax increase to close Arizona's budget deficit. Fellow Republicans in the state legislature have been resistant; Brewer told the Arizona Republic Thursday that they are in "denial" over the severity of the crisis.
The mammoth $787 billion stimulus package that recently passed Congress is expected to provide some relief. O'Malley, whose 2006 victory in Maryland over then-Gov. Bob Ehrlich was buoyed by the national Democratic wave, said that governors now "have a president who's on our side." Indeed, the stimulus plan is proving to be a real shot in the arm, with $144 billion targeted to state and local governments.
Some Republican governors drew considerable attention by stating they would reject some of the money directed toward states. It's no coincidence that those who didn't reject stimulus funds are among those most in need of the money, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. His state will receive more than $3 billion through the stimulus plan, which is actually greater than the projected 2009 deficit.
But the long term forecast in the states is still grim, with projected deficits only expected to grow in 2010. That's one reason why some speculate Crist may choose to run in Florida's open-seat Senate race next year, rather than stay in his current post.
In the meantime, Governor Schweitzer had advice for his incumbent colleagues struggling with budget shortfalls: "Good fiscal management and good leadership will take care of elections." Easily said for someone with term limits.
More from RealClearPolitics: 10 States in the Biggest Budget Trouble (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/realclearpolitics/cm_rcp/storytext/economic_crisis_puts_incumbent/31410890/SIG=14581lfod;_ylt=AiDS.jREZxmM1lZj_nxSAiHSos4F;_y lu=X3oDMTE4MTNqdjg0BHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl9zdG9yeV9ib2R 5BHNsawNtb3JlZnJvbXJlYWw-/*http://www.realclearpolitics.com/lists/biggest_state_deficits/introduction1.html?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=news)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/realclearpolitics/economic_crisis_puts_incumbent