McGurn: Jerry Brown vs. Chris Christie

[Valin]

WSJ:

More states are realizing that the road to fiscal hell is paved with progressive intentions.

William McGurn

5/14/12

 

In his January 2011 inaugural address, California Gov. Jerry Brown declared it a "time to honestly assess our financial condition and make the tough choices." Plainly the choices weren't tough enough: Mr. Brown has just announced that he faces a state budget deficit of $16 billion—nearly twice the $9.2 billion he predicted in January. In Sacramento Monday, he coupled a new round of spending cuts with a call for some hefty new tax hikes.

 

In his own inaugural address back in January 2010, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also spoke of making tough choices for the people of his state. For his first full budget, Mr. Christie faced a deficit of $10.7 billion—one-third of projected revenues. Not only did Mr. Christie close that deficit without raising taxes, he is now plumping for a 10% across-the-board tax cut.

 

It's not just looks that make Mr. Brown Laurel to Mr. Christie's Hardy. It's also their political choices.

 

(Snip)