States led by a Democratic governor and legislature increased spending over 400 percent faster than those under Republican control, according to a new report from a leading taxpayer watchdog group.
Americans for Tax Reform, most known for pushing candidates to sign an anti-tax pledge, found that the 13 states run by Democrats raised spending 5.55 percent over 2011-2013. In the 24 states where Republicans had control during the same period, spending inched up just 1.11 percent.
“This 4.44 percent difference means that Democrat-controlled states increased total spending over 400 percent faster than in Republican-run states,” said the report provided to Secrets.
Republicans in GOP states have generally claimed that they spend less than Democrats, but the new report from ATR is among the first to show the differences.
“It seems the term tax and spend liberal isn’t just a cliché. Based on the numbers, if Democrats run your state government, it means, on average, higher taxes and more spending than if Republicans are in charge of state government,” said the group headed by noted anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist.
From the report:
The report is the latest in a series that compares spending in states. A recent report, for example, found that Democrat governors won nearly $60 billion in tax increases since 2011, while Republicans cut taxes by $38 billion.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
