What Does It Take To Lead Your Sate Through a Financial Crisis?

Governing in Crisis

The ability to use their powers/roles to solve the current problem Head of State

Raise money Focus national attention on your

problem Encourage businesses to invest in your

state Agenda Setter/ability to call a special

session Ability to take advantage of focusing

events State of the State

Bully pulpit Military Chief The power to set budgetary priorities

What Makes Someone a Good Leader in a Crisis?

“…Governors have the responsibility but not the authority to run the state.” –Governor John Love

Head of government/head of party Coalition building and power to persuade

and at times compromise

Must show compassion and empathy for victims

Decisiveness

Informal Powers and Traits Needed from a Governor

in Crisis

Inherited a state in a major economic Slump Rising unemployment People leaving the state in droves Major cities were overbuilt with empty

offices, apartment and shopping centers

Case Study:Colorado

Governor Roy Romer

Head of State Toured United States and world; declaring

that Colorado was once again “open for business”

Consensus builder Worked with the Republican controlled

legislature by highlighting general areas in need of legislative attention

Made it known that he was willing to compromise

Made himself available to legislators by visiting their offices

Utilized the bully pulpit Became known for his willingness to

travel the state and speak at nearly any event

Case Study:Colorado

Governor Roy Romer

The economy improved and Governor Romer became known for several significant projects: Denver Connection Center A new airport in Denver Major improvements to the state highway

system Brought major league baseball to Denver

and built a new baseball stadium

Governor Romer was easily reelected and went on to serve 3 terms

Results

In the same election that elected Governor Barbara Roberts, the citizens of Oregon also passed Measure 5 Measure 5 created massive budgetary

challenges by capping property taxes, shifting public school costs toward the general fund during a time where costs were rising Measure 5 created a projected budget

shortfall of $1.2 billion in the 1993-1995 biennium and 2.5 billion in 1995-1997 that Governor Roberts had to deal with on day 1 of her governorship.

Case Study: Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts

Aimed to implement “true tax reform” in a state whose residents, and legislators held anti-tax and anti-government sentiment

How? “The Conversation with Oregon” A plan to include voters in discussions

about revenue replacement 900 meetings and 10,000 participants “They learned about how State

government works” “I learned about what they expect from government” “We in government must do our job

better.”

Case Study: Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts

The People of Oregon remain unconvinced

Working outside of the system (appealing directly to the people not the legislators) angered and annoyed many legislators

Realizing message was not resonating: Called special session of legislature to

consider a tax plan she created with little to not input to be sent to the public for approval

Results

Legislators fought her every step of the way Claimed the Governors release date was

too soon Eventually voted against tax reform

Results II

Roy Romer Vs. Barbara Roberts Hard power Vs. Soft power

Ability to Persuade Analysis

Questions?Thoughts?

Comments?