Methodology of Fiscal Ratings

The report card evaluates governors based on their tax and spending decisions, providing clear rankings that separate their influence from the legislature. A governor's performance is assessed by examining their proposed budget spending increases, tax cuts, and veto decisions without attributing any influence to legislative actions. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of each governor's fiscal policy choices, with notable examples highlighting both successful and struggling governors. For instance, South Dakota’s Kristi Noem maintained fiscal conservatism by keeping state spending flat while reducing sales tax, exemplifying effective governance despite external legislative pressures.