A short diary, but I couldn't help but notice a pattern among awful Republican governors who are hoping to be president, and how their state budgets are faring.
Wisconsin and Walker: $2.2 billion in the hole Walker aims for tax cut despite projected shortfall
Louisiana and Jindal: $1.6 billion in the hole As Jindal Looks Ahead, Louisiana’s Budget Woes Multiply
New Jersey and Christie: waiting for numbers but this doesn't look so good:
Christie came into office pledging replenish the state's pension program, but had to reverse that promise to help balance the state's budget. Pension liabilities have subsequently ballooned under his watch, topping $83 billion, according to the last report from debt ratings agency Moody's.
Coupled with other budgetary shortfalls, the pension liabilities have resulted in Moody's and other agencies downgrading New Jersey's credit rating eight times — a record for a sitting governor of the state, according to the Star-Ledger.
Among the not-quite-as-awful:
Ohio and Kasich: a surplus of $970.4 million... oh, wait a minute, that's because Kasich expanded Medicaid coverage. Unacceptable.
Indiana and Pence: a surplus of $2 billion... oh, wait a minute, he's accepting Obamacare, too. Unacceptable.
And let's not forget:
Kansas and Brownback: $334 Million in the hole (what a piker!) Kansas Gov. Brownback, once a tax-cutting hero, scrambles to stem a budget crisis
Alabama and Bentley: $250 million in the hole. So now you tell us? After reelection Bentley comes clean about Alabama budget crisis
Nevada and Sandoval: $162 million in the hole. Nevada officials expect $162M budget shortfall by summer
Actually, it's pretty interesting digging into this. I knew Walker was awful. I didn't know that he might be the awfulest of all!