Research Briefing

Obama Raising Money For Dem Governors Tonight To Quell Their Opposition To His State Health Care Tax

OBAMA RAISING AT LEAST HALF MILLION DOLLARS FOR DEM GOVERNORS TONIGHT

Obama Fundraiser For Democratic Governors Association Expected To Rake In At Least $500,000. “[T]he president will be headlining a fundraising dinner for the DGA (Democratic Governors Association) in Washington, DC, on Oct. 1. The event is expected to raise at least $500,000 … Governors expected to be in attendance for this Obama fundraiser: DGA Chair/MT Gov. Brian Schweitzer, MD Gov. Martin O’Malley, DE Gov. Jack Markell, MO Gov. Jay Nixon, KS Gov. Mark Parkinson and KY Gov. Steve Beshear.”(Chuck Todd, “Obama Stepping Up Effort For Dem Govs,” MSNBC’s “First Read” Blog, 9/20/09)

DEM GOVERNORS ALREADY IN DGA’S POCKET

For This Year’s Gubernatorial Election, DGA Contributed At Least $3,445,000 To State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-VA) And Virginia Democrat Groups; And $251,800 Into New Jersey Democrat Groups. (CQ Money Line Website, moneyline.cq.com, Accessed 9/30/09; Virginia State Board Of Elections Website, www.sbe.virginia.gov, Accessed 9/30/09)

For Gubernatorial Elections In 2006, DGA Contributed At Least $618,000 To Arkansas Democrat Groups; $1,767,000 To Gov. Chet Culver (D-IA) And Iowa Democrat Groups; $706,000 To Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD) And Maryland Democrat Groups; $260,000 To New York Democrat Groups; And $50,495 To Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH) And Ohio Democrat Groups. (CQ Money Line Website, moneyline.cq.com, Accessed 9/30/09; Iowa Election Campaign Disclosure Board, https://webapp.iecdb.iowa.gov, Accessed 9/30/09; Maryland Elections Center Website, www.mdelections.org, Accessed 9/30/09; New York State Board Of Elections Website, www.elections.state.ny.us, Accessed 9/30/09; Ohio Secretary Of State Website, http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/, Accessed 9/29/09)

For Gubernatorial Elections In 2005, DGA Contributed At Least $605,000 To New Jersey Democrat Groups. (CQ Money Line Website, moneyline.cq.com, Accessed 9/30/09)

NO WONDER DEM GOVERNORS BACKTRACK OPPOSITION TO OBAMA’S STATE HEALTH CARE TAX

Dem Governors Now ‘Backtracking’ Their Opposition To Obama’s Health Care Experiment. “Democratic governors have raised concerns about the House healthcare bill, but some of them backtracked this summer. The Democratic governors, including Brian Schweitzer (Mont.) and Martin O’Malley (Md.), accused staff at the National Governors Association of giving them false information after a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, according to a FoxNews.com report.” (Molly K. Hooper, “Republican Govs. Blast Baucus Bill,” The Hill, 9/28/09)

Even Though It Would Compel States To Pick Up New Costs Of Government-Run Health Care. “Members of the Senate Finance Committee said they might require states to pay a larger share, perhaps 15 percent or 20 percent of the new costs. Governors of both parties object to such requirements as an ‘unfunded mandate.’” (Robert Pear and David M. Herszenhorn, "New Objections To Baucus Health Care Proposal," The New York Times, 9/14/09)

That Could Force Many States With Budget Shortfalls To Raise Taxes Or Cut Essential Services. “States were experiencing major fiscal challenges heading into fiscal year 2010, which began for most states on July 1, 2009 … Unlike the federal government, states are legally required to balance their budgets. States can use reserves or rainy day funds, increase taxes or cut spending to achieve a balanced budget during periods of economic stress. Nearly all states have reduced program spending to balance their budgets and in the large majority of states some actions are expected to impact vulnerable residents.” (Vernon K. Smith, Ph.D., and Robin Rudowitz, “The Crunch Continues: Medicaid Spending, Coverage and Policy in the Midst of a Recession,” Kaiser Family Foundation Report, 9/30/09)