Conservative Governors Weigh in on the GOP's Prospects for 2014

MONDAY, JULY 28, 2014 ☆ SECTION D

Taking Care of Business Conservative governors weigh in on the GOP’s prospects for 2014 midterm elections

RICK PERRY MARY FALLIN SCOTT WALKER Th e longtime lodestar Th e daughter of two mayors Policies putting a purple of the Lone Star State 4 makes her own mark 7 state in the black 9 “Some politicians just talk about creating jobs and reviving struggling economies, but Republican governors are actually doing it. Th e result is stronger, more prosperous states that work.” — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

ASSOCIATED PRESS New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, head of the Republican Governors Association, says his fellow GOP state chief executives are getting the job done. Republican governors cite their economic stewardship Creating jobs, cutting taxes seen as paths to re-election OPEN FOR BY SETH MCLAUGHLIN of business. spokesman for the Republican THE WASHINGTON TIMES They point, for instance, to Governors Association. “Repub- BUSINESS the latest jobs report from the lican governors are working hard Th e following are considered eading into Department of Labor that showed to implement pro-growth, pro- the top 10 states for the 2014 elec- 10 of the 15 states with the lowest business policies to make their businesses in America, according to the 2014 tion, the GOP unemployment rates have Repub- states more competitive. And survey of 500 CEOs by is casting its lican governors. Of the fi ve states those policies have produced in- ChiefExecutive.net. slate of gover- with the lowest unemployment credible results.” nors as turn- rates — North Dakota, Nebraska, For the 10th consecutive year, 1. Texas (R) around artists, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa Texas has been named the best 2. Florida (R) Hsaying they’ve led their states — four of them are run by Repub- state to do business in a survey 3. Tennessee (R) out of recession by embracing lican governors. of more than 500 chief executive TIMES THE WASHINGTON | 4. North Carolina (R) lower taxes, putting people back GOP governors also run the offi cers, and the other nine states to work and ensuring businesses fi ve states with the lowest debt at the top of the list are all run 5. South Carolina (R) are helped — not hampered — by per capita — Tennessee, Indi- by Republicans, according to the 6. Indiana (R) their policies. ana, Wisconsin, South Dakota and survey by ChiefExecutive.net. 7. Arizona(R) Republicans, who face the Arizona, according to State Budget The same rankings showed that daunting task of defending 22 of Solutions. four of the fi ve worst states to do 8. Nevada (R) the 36 governorships up for grabs “Republican governors across business — Massachusetts, New 9. Louisiana (R) this election cycle, are eager to the country are cutting taxes, low- Jersey, California, New York and Il- 10. Georgia (R) build on the success of 2012 — ering spending, balancing budgets, linois — are led by Democrats. The

MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 28 • 2014 • JULY MONDAY when they picked up 12 of the top reforming education and making states were graded on tax policy, Note: Governor’s party affi liation in 2 parentheses slots — and they think voters will their states engines of economic THE WASHINGTON TIMES see that they’ve been taking care growth,” said Jon Thompson, » see STATES | D8 Th e FREE digital magazine for those who dare to be independent and free.

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hether he runs or not, Texas Gov. Rick Perry commands plenty of at- tentionW on the 2016 Republican presidential stage, and he knows it. He demanded a face-to-face meeting in Texas with President Obama to talk about the Mexico- U.S. border crisis. He also kept demanding, until the reluctant president gave him one: a tele- vised, photographed, widely reported face-to-face meeting. Barely taking time to catch his breath, Mr. Perry followed up with a headline-generating attack on Sen. Rand Paul’s stance on Iraq. As the longest continuously serving governor in U.S. history, Mr. Perry felt comfortable berat- ing a U.S. senator considered to be a ﬁ rst-tier White House hopeful. For a year now, Mr. Perry ASSOCIATED PRESS has been in full remedial mode Rick Perry has been governor of Texas since Dec. 21, 2000, when his predecessor stepped down to move into the White House. for his campaign-killing gaff es in the 2012 Republican presidential primary, including when he couldn’t remember a Cabinet offi ce he intended to eliminate if Lodestar of Lone Star State he became president. He has been grabbing the ini- tiative and holding on to it from his ballyhooed visit to Israel last touts Texas on national stage year to his performance in March at the Conservative Political Ac- tion Conference, where many With record and swagger, Rick Perry isn’t fading into retirement activists proclaimed he gave one of the best speeches of the three- that “apparently his new glasses into the sunset like a white-hat because he is, of course, a politi- base: young evangelicals who day event. haven’t altered his perception of cowboy in a spaghetti Western. cian showing off . may dislike his support of a con- Now he is taking on one of the world, or allowed him to see Like his predecessor in the His attack on Mr. Paul for stitutional amendment against his potential competitors in 2016 it any more clearly.” Austin gubernatorial mansion, being skeptical about interven- same-sex marriage or his com- by jabbing Mr. Paul for being “With 60,000 foreign children George W. Bush, Mr. Perry strikes tionism in foreign policy may parison — which he recently what the Texas governor called streaming across the Texas border, people as a touchy-feely guy who not sit as well with a Republican reiterated — of homosexuality an “isolationist” outside the party I am surprised Governor Perry to alcoholism. tradition of Ronald Reagan and has apparently still found time He also alienated some “rule Dwight D. Eisenhower because to mischaracterize and attack my Like his predecessor in the Austin of law” conservatives by support- of Mr. Paul’s opposition to further foreign policy,” Mr. Paul wrote. gubernatorial mansion, George W. Bush, ing in-state tuition breaks for the U.S. military action in Iraq. Political observers think Mr. Mr. Perry strikes people as a touchy-feely children of illegal immigrants Mr. Perry took to the op-ed page Perry is wily for targeting Mr. who slipped across the U.S. bor- TIMES THE WASHINGTON | of The Washington Post on July 11 Paul because he went after a legis- guy who projects no airs about himself. der. But that position is shared to deliver a stinging attack on Mr. lator and not a fellow gubernato- by a surprisingly large number Paul by name, calling it “disheart- rial prospect such as New Jersey’s projects no airs about himself. electorate that is less hawkish of self-described conservatives ening to hear fellow Republicans, Chris Christie, Wisconsin’s Scott He’s just “Rick,” and he’s just as than it used to be. who tend to open up on the sub- such as Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), sug- Walker or Florida’s Jeb Bush, a likely to throw an arm around a Indeed, Mr. Paul noted that ject only to trusted friends and gest that our nation should ignore former governor with plenty of visitor’s neck for a quick wres- widespread popular opposition acquaintances. what’s happening in Iraq.” clout among the Republican es- tling gesture as he is to bend to involvement in Iraq means Where Mr. Perry has clear In his response, published July tablishment and major donors. slightly at the waist in greeting a that “it’s time we ﬁ nally retire that common ground with his party’s 14 in The Politico under the head- Whatever casual observers female visitor. pejorative” term “isolationist.” base is his demand that Mr. Obama

MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 28 • 2014 • JULY MONDAY line “Rick Perry is Dead Wrong,” see in this Texan, it’s clear he He can do either without look- For all his personal charm, dispatch the National Guard to 4 Mr. Paul took an unusually per- has no plans when his governor’s ing like a politician showing off Mr. Perry may be at odds with sonal tack, saying of the Texan tenure ends in January to fade — all the more to his advantage an important segment of his » see PERRY | D10 Economic revival brings end to exodus Thriving economy, school choice fuel Jindal agenda in Louisiana

BY RALPH Z. HALLOW Left Behind law championed by Presi- THE WASHINGTON TIMES dent George W. Bush and other experi- BATON ROUGE, LA. ments tested by philanthropist billion- epublican Bobby Jindal aires such as Bill Gates and Michael R. postulates that when Bloomberg. year after year more Despite continued opposition from people move to Loui- teachers unions, Mr. Jindal revived siana than leave it, he’s the school-choice debate a few years probably doing some- back and successfully got enacted in Rthing right as governor. Louisiana what may be the broadest ex- Of all the advances his state made pansion of vouchers in years, enabling since his election as chief executive six students to take money normally re- years ago, that is the one statistic that served for public schools and spend it tickles him the most. instead on an education at a charter or “For 20 years, more people left than private school of their choice. came here, but for the last six years, the The Jindal system has expanded opposite has been happening,” he said non-government-run schools in sev- over dinner recently at the governor’s eral ways. It removed the cap on the residence. number of charter schools, which are The reason for the infl ux of new privately run public schools that have residents is that the Republican gov- greater autonomy and whose teach- ASSOCIATED PRESS ernor and oft-mentioned presiden- ers aren’t unionized. And it expanded Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, now in his second term, is one of two state governors of Indian heri- tial contender has turned around the private-school vouchers statewide. tage. He won re-election overwhelmingly in 2011, with 66 percent of the vote in a four-way race. economy in general, the energy indus- It also allows students access to more try in particular, the quality of public courses, no matter what neighborhood education, and they happen to live touches on his system. Whether that The Jindal administration also won the availability of in. was a managerial mistake or a practi- its legal battle with President Obama’s jobs while lessen- Since Mr. Jindal took Formerly, stu- cal route to bypass resistance from Justice Department’s attempt to cripple ing the tax burden offi ce, the three major dents generally the education establishment is open the school-voucher program. THE WASHINGTON TIMES on individuals and got state funding to interpretation. Another major plus for his record business. That’s credit-rating fi rms in on a per-pupil Like private and parochial schools, as a skilled manager is the rise in cred- the heart of his America have given basis to attend one charters schools generally aren’t itworthiness of his state government. local story. Louisiana a total of school full time. handcuff ed by union rules that make Since Mr. Jindal took offi ce, the What Mr. eight upgrades. If the school they it too time-consuming and expen- three major credit-rating firms in Jindal, 43, is best attend didn’t have sive to fi re incompetent teachers and America — Fitch Ratings, Moody’s known for nation- the courses they administrators. Investor Service and Standard & Poor’s ally is revolutionizing the time-honored needed, they were out of luck. The new Mr. Jindal is in a legal fi ght over his Financial Services Co. — have given | conservative concept of education law created a new vehicle giving access refusal to implement the Common Core Louisiana a total of eight upgrades. MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 vouchers, often called school choice. to all students at public and private national academic standards that he This came at a time when one of the Public-school vouchers were the schools to courses they need or want, once backed. Critics of Common Core rating services, Standard & Poor’s, key education reform that the Reagan but only certain students get state said from the start that it violated the lowered its U.S. creditworthiness as- administration pushed for and that funding. The Jindal administration says 10th Amendment to the Constitution sessment for the fi rst time in history. Republican governors in Wisconsin and that enrollment in the “Course Choice” and federalized what constitutionally That means the U.S. government has elsewhere tried to introduce over the program will expand from 2,400 in are the education prerogatives of state to dig deeper into its already staggering objections of public-school teachers and 2013-14 to a projected 9,600 by 2014-15. and local governments. Mr. Jindal now national debt to pay the extra interest principals unions in the 1980s and 1990s. Mr. Jindal met more resistance argues that the federal government lenders demand in light of the lowered But in the early 2000s, school choice than expected initially because, crit- has gotten too involved in writing the ratings. took a back seat to other education- ics say, he failed to consult with the standards. That aligns him with conser- 5 reform eff orts, such as the No Child school districts before putting the fi nal vative constitutionalists on the issue. » see JINDAL | D10 ASSOCIATED PRESS If the GOP is to make greater inroads with Hispanic and female voters, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a former Democrat, is well-positioned to lead the charge. In N.M., GOP’s hope for Hispanics Conservative-convert Martinez converts voters with personal story

BY RALPH Z. HALLOW turned Republican for philosophical, damned, we’re Republicans.’” ultimately explore what she brings THE WASHINGTON TIMES not knee-jerk partisan, reasons. In small groups, her delivery is tai- to a ticket in terms of demographics. “Before I ran for district attorney, lored a bit diff erently. She bubbles over In New Mexico’s Hispanic-rich uoyant, bilingual, up- two Republicans invited my husband with enthusiasm, and her eyes sparkle Guadalupe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and beat and the fi rst fe- and me to lunch,” she says in one ver- as she says, “… and I looked at Chuck San Miguel counties, Mrs. Martinez’s male Hispanic gover- sion of the personal tale. “I knew a and said, holy s---, we’re Republicans!” 2010 share of the total votes — includ- nor of any state, New party-switch was what they wanted Her small audience invariably breaks ing non-Hispanics — was 57 percent, Mexico’s Susana Marti- from us. So, I told Chuck, ‘We’ll be into laughter. 46 percent, 41 percent, and 38 per- nez seems a good fi t for polite, we’ll enjoy a free lunch and then cent respectively. That was probably chief executive offi cer we’ll say goodbye.’” not a majority share of the Hispanic Bof a Western state where almost half At lunch, the conversation turned Mrs. Martinez, as a population, but from her supporters’ the 2.1 million population is Hispanic. on issues with no mention of “Re- former district attorney, viewpoint, remarkable nonetheless. But will major campaign donors and publican,” “Democrat,” “liberal” or is said to have taken She’s also got the kind of gubernatorial 2016 GOP presidential primary voters conservative.” record conservative and establishment see the former prosecutor and daughter Instead, they talked about whether great delight in banning Republicans alike love to love — seem- TIMES THE WASHINGTON | of a Texas deputy sheriff as a good tfi “welfare is a helping hand up or a way corrupt contractors ingly sparse to nonexistent in pandering to for president of a nation where Hispan- of life.” They talked about the “size of from doing business ethnic groups and other special interests. ics account for 54 million out of a total government and how much should with the state. As soon as she and her husband population of 316 million? it tax families and small businesses.” unpacked their clothes in the gover- The answer will become clearer as In public gathering, such as her nor’s residence, she began crusading to next summer approaches. prime-time 2012 Tampa, Fla., GOP presi- Right now, campaign consultants repeal a state law that granted illegals For now, she’s running for a second dential nominating speech to millions put her on the long list of potential 2016 immigrants a driver’s license. She also term as governor this November with of TV viewers and 20,000 delegates and White House candidates. Rising onto signed an executive order requiring a personal story that excites the GOP credentialed members of the press, she the shortlist will require something state law enforcers to check the im-

MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 28 • 2014 • JULY MONDAY faithful and right-leaning independents wraps up the story this way: “When we special — that unanticipated something migration status of everyone arrested 6 everywhere: she and her husband, left that lunch, we got in the car, and I that is the soul of American politics. Chuck, both former Democrats, had looked over at Chuck and said, ‘I’ll be Some political consultants will » see MARTINEZ | D8 ASSOCIATED PRESS Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin leads a discussion on jobs and education at the National Governors Association convention on July 12 in Nashville, Tennessee.

BY RALPH Z. HALLOW THE WASHINGTON TIMES Sooner State’s Fallin follows klahoma so far on Gov. Mary Fallin’s watch has done pretty well for itself, according to the ob- in her parents’ footsteps jective measurements most voters care about. Fiscal responsibility drives agenda in Oklahoma OAs a result, she has done pretty well for the reputation of the nation’s 28 other Republican governors as a whole. laughable $2.03 in 2010 to more than $530 for president all the time, but I’m focused and caring for taxpayer dollars. So all “When I took offi ce, Oklahoma’s un- million today,” she said. on running for governor.” of my energy and focus need to go into

employment was 7.2 percent, and now it’s With former Secretary of State Hill- Focus is something she makes clear the job I have now, regardless of what THE WASHINGTON TIMES 4.6 percent,” said Mrs. Fallin, 59, whose ary Rodham Clinton a possible presi- that she prizes as the underpinning of my future holds.” attraction to governance is in her genes. dential nominee for Democrats in 2016, mothering and governing. Still, it’s a fact of life that if she wins a First her father and then her mother Republicans think an accomplished second term in November, she’s a some- served as mayor of her hometown. woman who has proven managerial body in presidential wannabe politics; Since she’s been governor, the state experience as a governor might be the In June, she approved if she loses, she’s at best a once-was has seen 80,000 jobs created, she says. perfect counter on the 2016 ticket. replacement of somebody from a small state. One of the accomplishments that But like other governors running for Mrs. Fallin, like some other political makes her the proudest puts her state re-election, Mrs. Fallin, with a husband the Common Core stars from her state, is not loath to criti- | at the top of the heap when it comes to and six children, shuns presidential cam- State Standards in cize her own party for what she sees as MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 per-person income increases. paign speculation. mathematics and its shortcomings. “Our per-capita income grew over 6 “I’m not focused on presidential poli- Some — not her, she insists — focus percent in the short span from 2011 to tics or any other offi ce but the one I hold English with Oklahoma- on the fact that no Oklahoman, let alone 2013,” she said. “That’s the second-highest now. I’m running for re-election, and I’m written standards. an Oklahoma woman, has ever occupied growth rate in this nation.” working to make Oklahoma’s economy the Oval Offi ce. Something else put Oklahoma in the the strongest it can possibly be.” “There may be a day when I think Her champions say the GOP could fi rst tier of achievers among all states. “It’s legitimate for people to ask me of doing something else in politics and use a female presidential nominee with “Our gross domestic product about the presidency,” added the former public service. If that day comes, what a demonstrably serious record of fi scal growth rate is the fourth-highest in the two-term U.S. House member and for- will matter is how successful I have been accomplishment. United States, and its ‘rainy-day’ sav- mer chairman of the Women’s Congres- leading the state of Oklahoma, creating 7 ings accounts have gone from a sad yet sional Caucus. “I get asked about running more jobs here, improving education » see FALLIN | D10 GUBERNATORIAL RACES 17. They also say the gubernato- JOBS, JOBS AND STATES States with elections for governor this fall shaded by the rial races arguably could be more From page D2 party that holds the office now and current balance of important than the battle for con- MORE JOBS power for all states: Lowest state trol of the U.S. Senate because of unemployment rates regulatory issues, the quality of Democratic Republican Governor term limited or the ongoing debates at the state the workforce and the quality of not seeking re-election level over taxes, voting rights and 1. North Dakota: 2.7% (R) the living environment. the expansion of Medicaid under 2. Nebraska: 3.5% (R) And the top five spots on Obamacare. CNBC’s annual rankings of the With that as a backdrop, Mr. 2. Utah: 3.5% (R) “Top States for Business” also Christie, one of several gover- 2. Vermont: 3.5% (D) were held by states with Repub- R.I. nors eyeing presidential runs, Conn. 5. South Dakota: 3.8% (R) licans governors — Georgia, has raised boatloads of cash. RGA Texas, Utah, Nebraska and North offi cials have vowed to spend $100 6. Wyoming: 4% (R) Carolina. million over the fi nal 100 days of 7. Hawaii: 4.4% (R) “Some politicians just talk the campaign, as it looks to pro- 7. Iowa: 4.4% (R) about creating jobs and reviving tect some of its most vulnerable struggling economies, but Repub- governors, including Govs. Paul 7. New Hampshire: 4.4% (D) lican governors are actually doing LePage of Maine, Tom Corbett 10. Minnesota: 4.5% (D) it,” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, of Pennsylvania and Rick Scott Balance of power 10. Montana: 4.5% (D) chairman of the Republican Gov- Governors in office now of Florida. ernors Association, said recently. Democrats GOP Republicans hope the dissat- 10. Oklahoma: 4.5% (R) “The result is stronger, more pros- 21 states 29 states isfaction with the Obama admin- Source: National Governors Association Labor force perous states that work.” Graphic: Judy Treible © 2014 MCT THE WASHINGTON TIMES istration, combined with signs of participation rates Democrats counter that the improving state economies, will GOP is peddling a false storyline drive each state’s relative pros- that hit states unevenly, such as strengthen their electoral hand. Top Five: and that its governors have em- perity over the long term,” Mr. environmental rules.” Along those lines, the RGA has 1. North Dakota 69.2% (R) braced policies that have hurt the Edwards said. “Factors such as Whatever the case, Republi- touted how Florida’s unemploy- 2. Nebraska 68.9% (R) middle class. union laws and tax rates either cans say, they are delivering on ment rate has dropped 5 percent- “Republican governors have repel or attract investment and the state level. age points on Mr. Scott’s watch, 3. South Dakota: 67.2% (R) prioritized tax breaks and spe- entrepreneurs. However, many “Conservative governors and 2 percentage points under Mr. 4. Minnesota 67.1% (D) cial deals for the wealthiest and their partner legislatures are en- LePage in Maine and more than 5. Iowa: 67% (R) corporations and paid for them acting bold reforms, challenging 2 percentage points under Mr. by raising middle-class taxes and Republicans hope entrenched special interests and Corbett in Pennsylvania. Bottom fi ve: gutting investments in educa- the dissatisfaction enacting growth agendas that The dip in unemployment 1. West Virginia: 50.8% (D) tion,” said Sabrina Singh, spokes- are bringing fi scal sanity back rates has put Democrats running with the Obama 2. woman for the Democratic Gov- administration, to statehouses across America,” against GOP incumbents in a bit Mississippi: 51.3% (R) ernors Association. “Those aren’t said Jill Bader, spokeswoman for of a bind because they are trying 3. Alabama: 52.6% (R) pro-growth policies — they sim- combined with signs the State Government Leadership to downplay the same news on the 4. Arkansas: 53.5% (D) ply shift the burden from the rich of improving state Foundation, which is a strategic jobs front that President Obama to middle-class families, seniors partner to the Republican State and Congressional Democrats are 5. New Mexico: 54.2% (R) economies will Note: Governor’s party affi liation in and students who are working Leadership Committee. touting as a success story. parentheses. hard to succeed.” strengthen their Of the 36 gubernatorial races “Democrats are cross-pres- Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Chris Edwards, an economist electoral hand. in November, six of the 10 con- sured on the economy,” said THE WASHINGTON TIMES at the libertarian-leaning Cato sidered tossups, including Florida Darrell West, of the left-leaning Institute, warned against reading forces outside of state policymaker and Wisconsin, are now con- Brooking Institution. “Nationally, challengers point toward poor too much into the role that either control can have a large impact, trolled by Republicans. Election they want to emphasize the sharp performance by GOP governors of the parties has played in reviv- such as changes in global markets, analysts predict Republicans will reduction in unemployment and argue their policies aren’t ing their state economies. technological breakthroughs such easily hold 23 of their seats and and [credit Obama’s policies]. working. It is hard for both argu- “State economic policies help as fracking, and federal mandates that Democrats have a handle on Yet in key states, Democratic ments to be successful.”

Magnum,” she says. their retirements.” teachers union attempt to use the great delight in banning corrupt MARTINEZ She says with palpable pride She boasts of having sold the courts to block the reform. contractors from doing business From page D6 that her parents grew their secu- state’s luxury jet used by her pre- One wildcard may be her agree- with the state. She signed legisla- rity business that started with one decessor, “capped salaries for Cab- ment to increase teachers’ sala- tion requiring nearly 30,000 new in the state. teenager guarding a bingo game inet secretaries and eliminated the ries as a quid pro quo for increas- local government employees to But it’s her personal story that to 125 employees in three states. chefs in the governor’s residence.” ing accountability in the state’s be covered by ethics laws and “re- off ers a strong connection should “I went to law school and be- On the hottest issue of the elec- classrooms. instituted the use of minimum she gamble on 2016. came a prosecutor — prosecuted tion cycle so far, she moved to end Her re-election team today qualifi cations for state government “My dad was a Golden Gloves child-abuse cases, gut-wrenching the state’s sanctuary policy for ille- boasts that when she took offi ce, positions to ensure that those who boxers in the Marine Corps, then cases,” she says, adding that doing so gal immigrants who commit crimes she ended “years of inaction at are hired are qualifi ed for their job.” a deputy sheriff ,” she says. “My was for her “a privilege of a lifetime.” and to crack down on driver’s li- the state and federal level to re- That she campaigned hard TIMES THE WASHINGTON | mom worked as an office as- At this point, she’ll usually cense fraud by foreign nationals. cover any of the taxpayer money among New Jersey’s Hispanics sistant. One day they decided to say in Spanish, “In America, any- One achievement, in particular, that was lost as a result” of Gov. for Gov. Chris Christie’s re-elec- start a security-guard business. I thing’s possible.” Regardless of may make her stand out among an Bill Richardson’s administration tion is hardly conclusive evidence thought they were crazy. We had the linguistic skills of her audi- American electorate that polls show scandals. that she’s got the magic touch absolutely no savings. My dad ence at the moment, her meaning is sick of seeing, over fi ve decades, Since the change in administra- with that growing segment of worked the business. My mom is clear enough to elicit applause an inverse relationship between tions, Mrs. Martinez’s team touts a the U.S. electorate. But it doesn’t did the books at night.” and whistles of approval. the public money spent on educa- successful agreement to “recover hurt the impression that she can “At 18, I guarded the Catholic Her checklist as the chief tion and the quality of the resulting more than $26 million for taxpayers pass the laugh test when it comes Church’s bingo games held in manager of her state includes education. She is credited with put- from companies and individuals to envisioning her as not only

MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 28 • 2014 • JULY MONDAY the church lot. My dad made closing a record-sized structural ting into eff ect a teacher-evaluation related to the scandals.” the fi rst female president or vice 8 sure I could take care of myself. defi cit “by requiring state em- system that measures actual student Mrs. Martinez, as a former dis- president, but the fi rst Hispanic I carried a Smith & Wesson .357 ployees to contribute more to progress. She went on to defeat a trict attorney, is said to have taken elected to either post. BY RALPH Z. HALLOW

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

ver since Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker grabbed the political world’s attention on June 5, 2012, by becom- ing the fi rst governor in U.S. history to survive Ea recall election, he has been on a roll. In his 3½ years as governor, he has managed to get taxes and unemployment rates down, reverse the jobs- killing out-migration of businesses and turn a $3.5 billion inherited budget defi cit into a nearly $1 billion surplus. Sometimes in his half-blue, half-red state, it has looked more like a roller- coaster ride for the outwardly mild-man- nered but quietly stubborn Republican. He says with pride that he refused to be intimidated by one of the most muscu- lar, all-out eff orts by national labor and public employees unions to unseat an elected offi cial in years. The year before Mr. Walker was sworn in as governor, the state strug- gled with a crushing unemployment rate of 9.2 percent, about the same as ASSOCIATED PRESS the nation as a whole. Now, the state Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker fended off a 2012 drive by liberals, angered by his disavowal of business as usual, to recall him from offi ce. boasts an unemployment rate of 5.7 percent, a bit below the 6.1 percent national rate and the lowest for the state since 2008. “Personal income grew 4.4 percent Walker survives, over the year — faster than the U.S.,” he said in his State of the State address this year, adding that, according to the latest fi gures, “Wisconsin ranked as the fourth-best state in the country for Wisconsin thrives personal-income growth.” In his battle with public-sector unions, Mr. Walker, 46, has become Purple state governor bloodied, unbowed a hero for many taxpayers in his own state and for other governors facing incumbent in a dead heat with Madison while achieving an economic growth trail to take credit for achieving agenda

similarly mountainous problems with School Board member Mary Burke, rate that many other governors would items that have eluded conservatives THE WASHINGTON TIMES unsustainable retirement and health whose family owns and runs the famous love to be able to claim in their states. for years, such as ending collective care benefits for their state work- Waterloo-based Trek Bicycle Corp. Mr. One reason he was able to do that bargaining for “everything except forces. For them, the onetime county Walker has condemned Trek for buying is that, as he said, he “signed a bill that base wages, ending compulsory union executive of Milwaukee County has bicycle parts abroad — an under- membership, and stopping the shown the determination to reform standable political tactic by the forced collection of union dues.” government in ways that make Milton Republican, but one that would not He continues to cut taxes For many conservatives and Friedman acolytes applaud and drive have drawn a smile of approval from and government spending independents, his most com- Paul Krugman apostles into liberal Mr. Friedman, the late iconic econo- while achieving an economic mendable act as governor was | apoplexy. mist for many American conserva- growth that many other what he described as “freeing MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 To most Democrats, he is simply a tives and a champion of free trade. school districts from the stran- union-busting tool of business. What Mr. Walker is banking governors would love to be glehold of collective-bargaining For all of Wisconsin’s reputation as on is that voters ranging from the able to claim in their states. rules,” allowing them to buy a bastion of left-liberalism, Republicans center to the right on Wisconsin’s health insurance on the open occupy the governorship, are a major- political continuum will remember requires public workers to contribute market and to hire and ﬁ re teachers ity in the state Senate and House, hold that he stood up to the powerful unions 5.8 percent of their salaries to their pen- based on merit, not tenure. Most of all, one of the two U.S. Senate seats and ﬁ ve in the face of rising tax burdens and sions — that’s up from zero for most Mr. Walker can be expected to lay what of the state’s eight seats in the House. the prospect of eventual insolvency as of them — and to pay 12.6 percent of economists say is legitimate claim to Yet Mr. Walker is in a tight re- retirement and health care costs rose their health insurance premiums, up having strengthened Wisconsin’s pen- election contest. The latest Marquette faster than state income. He continues from 6 percent.” sion system, which is the “only one in 9 University Law School poll has the to cut taxes and government spending He can be expected on the campaign the country that is fully funded.” PERRY JINDAL From page D4 From page D5

the border to end the invasion of In May 2011, S&P elated the unaccompanied Central American Jindal administration and the children, as well as the lieutenants GOP-dominated legislature by of the foreign crime cartels. raising the likelihood of Loui- On immigration, he has siana’s being able to repay its shown you can talk tough with- general obligation debt to AA S&P noted another out sounding mean-spirited. He status from its AA-grade. has repeated publicly his accusa- So Louisiana fi nds itself hap- major achievement tion that the children fl ooding pily in the exact opposite situ- under Mr. Jindal — the border are told to claim to ation as the U.S. Treasury. The an unemployment American authorities that they state’s government has to dig rate lower than the are fl eeing for their lives — es- less deeply into its pool of taxes caping the murderous drug wars collected from businesses and national average. in El Salvador and other Central workers’ earnings to pay a lower American countries. interest rate to lenders. Why? That bold accusation seems Because they see a better like- to resonate with Republicans, lihood of getting their money independents and many Demo- back, based on the S&P rating crats who suspect collusion be- for Louisiana. tween the U.S. government and “That was the fi rst AA rating Latin American authorities as from Standard & Poor’s for Loui- the only plausible explanation siana from since 1984,” Mr. Jindal for the sudden inundation of the said. He essentially repeated the southern border by busloads of interpretation he made in 2011. ASSOCIATED PRESS unaccompanied children. “The higher credit rating shows Under Gov. Bobby Jindal’s leadership on the economy, Louisiana’s credit rating has greatly improved. Mr. Perry casts himself as the that the business world sees what most aggressive and successful we’re doing to expand and di- governor in personally persuad- versify our economy — while Bureau of Labor Statistics, which by more than 28,000 jobs. for people living and working ing corporate leaders in the U.S. we continue making government in June reported Louisiana at 5 One of his boldest and most in other states to come stay in and around the world to relocate more fi scally responsible.” percent unemployment, followed controversial achievements Louisiana. part or all of their operations S&P noted another major by Texas at 5.1 percent. Most of is turning a government-run To the bitter consternation of to Texas. achievement under Mr. Jindal — the other Southern states fell in health care system into a part- environmentalists and even some Unknown to most people out- an unemployment rate lower than the 6 percent to 7 percent range. nership with private-sector conservatives, the governor signed side his state, he is something of the national average. In January, Mr. Jindal’s state providers. He was later able a bill that protected the oil and gas a culture maven. “We expect the state to con- set the lowest unemployment rate to claim that the state’s former industry from exposure to civil “There is no question that 10 tinue to address its structural chal- since September 2008, when Mr. charity (now privatized) hos- damages in lawsuits, including BP to 15 years ago folks might have lenges, such as its underfunded Jindal had been in offi ce only a pital cost $52 million less than PLC’s liability for billions of dol- had a point in saying we were pension systems, and we antici- few months. He also takes credit originally budgeted. lars in unsettled claims resulting culturally and intellectually a pate that it will likely continue to for getting the legislature to enact He noted the state achieved from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon backwater. Al Gore once said make expenditure cuts as needed what he says is the largest-ever a record of a little more than 2 oil spill. the air is brown here,” he told to ensure balanced operations,” income-tax rate reduction in the million people employed, out of The energy industry’s revival The Washington Times. “Well, S&P analysts said at the time. state. a total population of 4.6 million. in Louisiana, especially in the today, we have won that battle, “This state has the lowest un- He slashed $9 billion (26 per- He argued that a leaner, more Gulf of Mexico, has helped fuel both in perception and substance. employment in the South,” he cent of spending) from the state effi cient, less-costly state gov- the state’s economic growth, the The cultural arts here have ex- said. He’s right, according to the budget and cut the state’s payroll ernment is another inducement industry says. ploded. From zoos, to music, to museums, to theater. In Houston, we have more theater seats than any other city in America except argued the extension would have and teaching strategies.” prevailed. New York.” FALLIN cost as much as $1 billion to extend Earlier, she had approved rules She is only the fourth Republican Mr. Perry’s strong religious From page D7 coverage to uninsured Oklahomans that the Republican legislature governor in Oklahoma history, which faith has been a big part of his through 2020. Maintaining roads passed for an A-to-F grading of she says has her pinching herself political career, but for him now, That base, Mrs. Fallin said, and schools and other state priori- public schools. The purpose, she every now and then when she thinks the economy is pre-eminent in hasn’t seen the budget and na- ties would suff er, she said. back to having grown up in a town the lives of Americans, whether tional-debt reductions promised Critics called her arithmetic mis- of 2,000 people and to her parents as religious or secular. by many Republicans who land on leading and ideologically driven. She earned criticism struggling to make ends meet as local “Americans have to decide the banks of the Potomac. In June, she approved replace- from Democrats government employees. what is the most important to “Too many in my party haven’t ment of the Common Core State Stan- and liberals for She also has more than a modi- them: social issues, foreign policy, kept their word on cutting spending, dards in mathematics and English cum of determination in her genes. TIMES THE WASHINGTON | national security and other is- the national debt and government with Oklahoma-written standards. shunning federal “My dad was mayor of our sues. But all those issues — many meddling when they got to Washing- “Unfortunately, federal over- funding to expand hometown and died at 57, so my of them should be the purview ton, including Republican presidents,” reach has tainted Common Core,” Medicaid in Oklahoma mom became mayor,” she said. of states, not the federal govern- she told The Washington Times. she said. “President Obama and under Obamcare. After college, she became dis- ment,” he said in an interview She’s taken what observers Washington bureaucrats have trict manager of the national Lex- before embarking for the Middle call a conservative — the political usurped Common Core in an at- ington hotel chain out of Texas. She East last summer. right calls it “common sense” — tempt to infl uence state education said, was to give parents a more fi gures that experience allowed her “You can’t have any of these if line on a number of issues. She standards. The results are predict- easily understandable measure of to know more than a little some- you do not take appropriate care earned criticism from Democrats able. What should have been a bipar- each public school’s performance thing about hiring, fi ring, fi nding

MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 28 • 2014 • JULY MONDAY of taxes, regulation, legal policies, and liberals for shunning federal tisan policy is now widely regarded than the numeric grading system. talent, managing it; in other words, 10 so that there can be the revenues funding to expand Medicaid in as the president’s plan to establish Her critics called the A-to-F sys- all the things voters look for in a for those desires,” he said. Oklahoma under Obamacare. She federal control of curricula, testing tem unfair and misleading. She chief executive. BY RALPH Z. HALLOW

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

ndiana Gov. Mike Pence already has achieved most of his early agenda, barely 18 months into his fi rst term. Mr. Pence has signed into law $643 million in annual tax relief and has presided over a Istate economy that managed to lower its unemployment rate to 5.9 percent from the 7.9 percent that burdened the state when he took offi ce in Janu- ary 2013. “Passing a budget that lets us live within our means and funding our pri- orities in roads and schools probably is my proudest accomplishment,” Mr. Pence told The Washington Times as he was leaving a fundraiser for Colo- rado GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez on Thursday. “On top of that, we fi nished our fi scal year with $2 billion in reserves,” Mr. Pence added. His administration can also take credit for the creation of 50,000 jobs since the former congressman took offi ce. Like his predecessor, former Gov. ASSOCIATED PRESS Mitch Daniels, Mr. Pence, 55, has the Indiana Gov. Mike Pence served six terms in the House of Representatives before returning to the Hoosier State to run for governor in 2012. reputation of being one of the GOP’s brainiest political stars. But unlike Mr. Daniels, Mr. Pence has not picked a fi ght with the religious conservative From House to Statehouse activists in his party. It’s not just that he thinks inviting cleavages in the GOP coalition is bad politics — Mr. Pence happens to be an evangelical Christian Indiana’s Mike Pence hits the ground running and a down-the-line social conservative on preserving traditional values. The lightened burden that he se- market-based reforms to deliver qual- “In Indiana, we have learned that the Also somewhat unusual for a state cured for Indiana taxpayers came in the ity coverage to the Medicaid-eligible way to change Medicaid is to base the governor, he has a long-held interest form of $313 million in their earnings population of Indiana, and earlier this program on what we know improves in foreign policy. During his 12 years they were able to keep in their pockets, year, he told an audience at the Ameri- health and lowers costs, namely con- as a member of the U.S. House, he rose thanks to a 5 percent cut in the state’s can Enterprise Institute in Washington sumer-driven health care using health to leadership of the House Republican income tax. An additional $170 million savings accounts,” Mr. Pence said.

Conference and served on the House of the $643 million in relief came from Mr. Pence is also at ease sharing the THE WASHINGTON TIMES Foreign Aff airs Committee. cuts in corporate-tax rates — which Like his predecessor credit for his state’s reforms. He once confi ded that he regards dropped to 4.9 percent from 6.5 percent. Mitch Daniels, Mr. “Beginning in the early 1990s, Indi- himself as a “Zionist” when it comes Indiana families also benefi ted from Pence, 55, has the ana became a centerpiece for the dis- to his devotion to Israel’s security and being able to keep $125 million — that reputation of being one cussion about consumer-driven health continued existence. otherwise would have gone to state care,” he said. Fellow Hoosiers and former con- government — by the legislature’s of the GOP’s brainiest “Today, Indiana has more public gressional colleagues say Mr. Pence, killing of the state’s widely despised political stars. employees — 96 percent in our state a possible 2016 GOP presidential con- inheritance tax in May 2013. government — enrolled in health sav- | tenders, is modest and unassuming, Finally, the new governor has ap- about his ideas for using more tra- ings account plans, more than any MONDAY • JULY 28 • 2014 almost to a fault. At a large national proved some $35 million in relief for ditionally conservative ways to help other state,” he said. “And our private meeting in Indianapolis recently, Mr. banks and other fi nancial institutions. Americans who can’t aff ord health marketplace has a higher percentage Pence arrived without a retinue of Mr. Pence is one of the class of care insurance. of people enrolled in consumer-driven aides and handlers, talking quietly with relatively new GOP governors who Based on health savings accounts, plans compared to many other states. his wife until some attendees realized argue that it’s not enough for the party his Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 builds “So the Healthy Indiana Plan, built the governor of the host state was in to say “no” to what it considers Presi- on a program that Mr. Daniels fi rst as it is on health savings accounts their midst. dent Obama’s rush to “socialism,” be it introduced in Indiana. and on consumer-driven health care, But it was as a classic free-market, Obamacare or other federal intrusions He said the big diff erence with makes the most sense, being launched pro-growth conservative and a moral into state, local and individual preroga- Obamacare is that states will have the and piloted and expanded in the state traditionalist that he made his mark tives under the Constitution. fl exibility to set up health care plans where consumer-driven health care, in 11 in Congress. For instance, Mr. Pence is proposing of their own design. many respects, was born.” No More Waiting!

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