Republican governors need to preach fiscal conservatism

The curious circumstance of politicians is that their fate depends on the opinions of the public, while simultaneously, their actions and words shape the opinions of the public.

Some politicians, on both sides of the aisle, are reeds in the wind who let their votes sway whichever way they believe is politically beneficial. Others try to be more like oak trees, which stand firm in their beliefs no matter how strong the winds of a news cycle may blow, and call on others to join their movements.

When Republicans manage to get elected in Democratic states or districts, for the long-term sake of conservatism, they should try to be oaks.

Consider this unfortunate situation: Republican Govs. Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Paul LePage of Maine score A-grades on the Cato Institute’s 2018 fiscal policy report card. Martinez has vetoed wasteful spending, resisted tax hikes in times of sagging revenue, and championed tax cuts. LePage has consistently cut taxes, opposed Medicaid expansion, and cut the number of state government employees. Yet, Martinez (-19 percent net favorability) and LePage (-14 percent) are some of the most unpopular governors in the nation (though LePage’s bombast surely contributes to this).

On the flip side, Republican Govs. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Larry Hogan of Maryland score D- and C-grades, respectively, on fiscal responsibility. Baker has raised taxes on workers (through a payroll tax hike) and innovation, in the form of a new tax on ride-sharing. Hogan has at least proposed tax cuts, and managed to cut taxes with the legislature for some select businesses, but has failed to get the state legislature behind broad-based tax cuts. Despite their fiscal failures, Baker (+52 percent) and Hogan (+51 percent) are the two most popular governors in the country, even though they’re Republicans governing deep-blue states.