1

Talking Points:

GOP governors have been the bright spot for the past four years and are the Partys best
messengers because they are able to show what results-oriented conservative leadership
looks like in action.
While Republicans lost ground at the federal level this year, Republicans picked up a
governorship in North Carolina and became the first Party in a dozen years to reach 30
governors.
Republican governors have enjoyed success because theyve focused like a laser on a
pro-growth agenda that produced balanced budgets, entitlement reform and kept a lid on
taxes.
By keeping the focus on pocketbook issues, GOP governors have enjoyed success with
all cross-sections of the electorate because jobs and the economy are the top issues for
nearly every voter.

Republican Governors Accomplishments: 2011-2012:

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley
Signed the Responsible Budgeting and Spending Act which revises the budgeting process
for the Education Trust Fund by allowing a rolling reserve process to make the
Education Trust Fund resistant to proration.
Working to implement health insurance exchanges that will increase competition and
lower costs.
Gained over 35,000 jobs since being sworn in as governor.

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell
Pushed and signed a comprehensive energy package.
Saved at least $2.5 billion in surplus revenue.
Promoted and signed a bill to increase oil production and reform oil taxes.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer
Turned $3 billion budget shortfall (2010) into $800 million surplus (current).
Signed into law historic jobs incentives, lowering capital gains rates and making
Arizonas corporate income tax rate one of the lowest nationally.
Signed into law sweeping personnel reform, ensuring rules for hiring/firing state
employees more closely match private sector.
Praise Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity ranked AZ the nations BEST
place to start a business
More praise CEO Magazine ranked AZ among nations Top 10 for business climate.
2


Florida Gov. Rick Scott
Lowered taxes to help create jobs and help Florida families, through $210 million in
property tax cuts.
Fought for and delivered business tax cut targeted to Florida small businesses to help
them reinvest and create jobs.
Holding government accountable by reviewing the state budget line by line.
Reformed regulatory and rulemaking processes.
Signed a balance budget with no new debt for the state.
Reduced wasteful spending by more than $700 million by eliminating waste and
duplication of services.
Reformed pension system so state workers now contribute to their own retirement.
Led the fight to end the practice of granting teachers tenure, now making it possible to
remove bad teachers from the classroom.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal
Passed landmark tax cut legislation in 2012 that reduced the marriage penalty in the state
tax code, ended the birthday tax on vehicles and removed the sales tax on energy used
in manufacturing a major draw in attracting new jobs to Georgia.
Dramatically reduced the size of state government. Gov. Deal lowered the authorized
work force by 14,000 positions, consolidated two departments to reduce overhead and
sold the state planes and move to a private charter service, which produced significant
savings.
Saved Georgias beloved HOPE scholarship from the brink of bankruptcy. The well had
run dry and Gov. Deal took action to preserve the program for future generations of
Georgians. The governor set a model for Washington on how the public will accept well-
thought-out entitlement reform.
The state has created more than 40,000 jobs since Gov. Deal took office, including a new
Caterpillar manufacturing facility insourced from Japan and a Baxter Pharmaceuticals
plant.
Won a resounding victory for innovation in education by passing a constitutional
amendment that will make it easier for parents to open a charter school if their kids are
trapped in underperforming schools.
Passed a sweeping criminal justice reform, implementing a Smart on Crime approach
that uses alternative courts for low-level offenders whose underlying issues are addiction
or mental illness. This is projected to save the state $250 million over five years.

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter
I-GEM- The Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission
o Establishing and funding the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission IGEM
bringing together private industry, Idahos research universities, the Idaho
National Laboratory and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies in a
collaborative effort to encourage and commercialize development of new
technologies that will create new businesses and help existing businesses grow.
The bottom line: More jobs and economic opportunity for Idaho.
3

o I-GEM is a collaborative effort between the state, the private sector, and higher
education to harness the genius of the Idahos Entrepreneurial spirit, with our
research institutions, and providing government incentives to place Idaho
developed products on market place shelves.
Cutting Taxes, and Balancing the state Budget
o Reducing both the marginal state income tax rate for individuals including many
small businesses and the marginal corporate income tax rate to a more
competitive 7.4 percent in an effort to attract new businesses to operate in Idaho
and to help sustain and grow existing businesses. In addition, the Legislature
agreed to continue ratcheting up the grocery tax credit to provide another $15.5
million in sales tax relief for Idaho families. That means total grocery tax credit
savings to Idaho taxpayers in 2012 will be more than $110 million.
Unemployment in Idaho down a full point
A $60 million surplus after ort bills were paid
Replenishing state rainy day funds
o Beginning to refill reserve or rainy day funds that were essentially emptied
during the Great Recession. More than $21.4 million will be deposited in the
Public Education Stabilization Fund, and $10.9 million will be put in the Budget
Stabilization Fund. A surplus eliminator measure also was enacted that will
transfer any remaining general tax revenue at the end of the fiscal year into the
Budget Stabilization Fund. That is expected to be another $32.3 million, but that
amount could go up or down between now and June 30. The bottom line: Idaho
could have more than $80 million in various rainy day funds to start fiscal 2013.
Providing legislative authority for the Idaho National Guard Youth ChalleNGe an
education program for at-risk teen drop-outs who have not yet run into trouble with the
law, to help them complete their secondary education while learning important life skills.
The program is expected to create more jobs in rural Idaho.
Establishing a regulatory framework for Idahos emerging oil and gas industry, including
uniform statewide standards aimed at ensuring public health, safety and environmental
protections are in place so the new and growing energy segment can create good jobs for
Idahoans without endangering property or our way of life.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels
Signed Right To Work legislation making Indiana more attractive to business.
Signed education reform that gave Indiana the nations most sweeping private school
voucher program.
Passed a structurally balanced budget without a general tax increase.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad
Under Gov. Branstad, Iowa has the fourth-lowest unemployment rate in the country:
5.1%
Gov. Branstad faced a $900 million budget deficit upon taking office in January of last
year. In less than two years, he turned that into a $1.3 billion surplus.
Barrons Magazine ranked Iowa the 2nd-best managed state in the country this year.
4

Gov. Branstad changed the culture of government in Iowa, moving it to one of service for
the taxpayers. Gov. Branstad believes that elected officials and state government should
be there to serve the people, not the other way around.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback
Turned a $500 million budget deficit into $500 million positive ending balance without
raising taxes.
Made state tax policy fairer and flatter by eliminating state income taxes on small
business owners, cutting all working Kansans tax burden by 14% to 24% and widening
the base.
Reformed state Medicaid program to improve and expand services while saving the state
more than $1 billion over five years without cutting provider rates, or cutting people off
Medicaid.
Cut the size of state government by restructuring state agencies, eliminating outdated
programs and reducing state workforce by 7% through attrition, voluntary retirement
program and elimination of more than 2,000 open positions.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal
He passed bold and transformative education reforms that the Wall Street Journal called
Americas largest school voucher program, broadest parental choice system, and
toughest teacher accountability regime.
Every month since he took office, Louisianas unemployment rate has been below the
national and Southern averages.
He eliminated burdensome business taxes that hurt Louisianas competitiveness and
signed the largest income tax cut in Louisianas history.
Hes cut the state budget by 26% since he took office.
He eliminated 16,000 government jobs to shrink the states workforce to the lowest level
in more than 20 years.
Louisiana has earned its highest-ever position on nearly every national ranking of state
business climates, including being recognized as State of the Year for three consecutive
years by Southern Business & Development, Most Improved State by Chief Executive
Magazine, Most Improved State by Pollina Corporate Real Estate, and State of the
Year by Business Facilities.
Immediately after taking office, he called the Legislature into a Special Session to enact
comprehensive ethics reform. As a result of these reforms, the Center for Public Integrity
upgraded the states legislative disclosure rank from #44 to #1, and the Better
Government Association placed Louisiana at the top of their ethics rankings.
He led the fight to hold BP and the federal government accountable during and after the
largest oil spill in American history and during Hurricane Gustav led the evacuation of
1.8 million people, the largest evacuation in American history.
He pushed for and signed game-changing pension reform to create a new cash-balance
plan for new hires, create a new portable investment account that allows participants to
share in investment gains and protects them against investment losses.

5

He created the gold standard for workforce training solutions in Louisiana FastStart and
instituted a Day 1 Guarantee initiative to ensure Louisianas workers are ready to work
on their very first day on the job or they will be retrained for free.
He left the United States Congress with an A+ lifetime rating from the National Rifle
Association and Chris Cox of the NRA says that he cant think of a governor whos
done more to stand up and protect the Second Amendment than Bobby Jindal. In 2012,
Louisiana voters adopted a new ironclad constitutional amendment protecting our
citizens fundamental right to bear arms.
Americans United for Life has consistently ranked Louisiana at the top of their list for the
most pro-life states, ranking Louisiana #1 in 2012, #2 in 2011, #1 in 2010, and #2 in
2009.
Since 2008 when he took office, Louisiana has experienced four consecutive years of
more people moving into Louisiana than out, reversing more than two decades of out-
migration.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage
Passed the largest tax cut in Maines history totaling $400 million
Eliminated $1.7 billion, 41% of the existing shortfall in Maines pension system, while
protecting retirees future benefits.
Increased competition in Maines health insurance market by passing free-market based
health insurance reform which allows the purchase of health insurance across state lines.
Signed legislation that allows charter schools in Maine for the first time, giving more
choices to Maine families.


Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder
Signed a budget that eliminated a $1.5 billion deficit and cuts taxes.
Fundamentally realigned the states tax structure to encourage investment and job
creation.
Put in place tools to help the state and local governments reduce long-term costs

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant
Proposed reform to Mississippi's Medicaid program so that it doesn't cost any more state
money next year.
Released his first budget proposal recommends $26 million less than the state is spending
this year while fully funding education and cutting most departments and agencies by 5.5
percent.
Plans to sell the state's jet for $2 million.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman
Proposed a $327 million tax relief package for the middle class.
Improved Nebraskas tax climate rating, improving from 45th to 29th since 2006.
Continued his focus on jobs creation and creating more efficiency in state government
with his proposal to merge the Department of Labor into the Department of Economic
Development.
6



Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval
Delivered a balanced budget without raising taxes and lowered spending.
Successfully pushed through education reform that makes it easier to fire poor
performing teachers.
Signed legislation that improves government transparency and accountability.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
Cut taxes in a state where taxes were raised 115 times in eight years.
Balanced three budgets after coming into office facing a $11 billion deficit.
Saved taxpayers $132 billion over 30 years and saved retirees their pension through
pension reform.
Reformed teacher tenure laws.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez
Balanced $500 million deficit.
Enacted a new school evaluation system with overwhelming support.
Tripled size of states cash reserves.

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple
Successfully funded the states priorities, provided expanded tax relief to North
Dakotans, and maintained strong reserves.
Brought North Dakotas unemployment rate down to the lowest in the nation.
Worked to create a positive business climate that helped foster the creation of more than
60,000 new jobs.
Championed policies that led to North Dakota having the fastest growing economy in
the nation, moving the state from 38
th
place in 2000 to 7
th
place today in per-capita
income growth.
Successfully pushed through more than $1 billion in comprehensive tax relief, with
reductions in property, individual income and corporate income taxes.
Brought forward unprecedented funding for strengthening the states infrastructure,
including road and highway improvements, housing development and water
management.
Championed efforts that led to landmark funding for K-12 education and the reform of
the states education funding formula for the first time in a generation.
24/7 Wall St. ranked North Dakota the best-run state in America.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich
Closed an $8 billion Shortfall without Raising Taxes: On June 30, 2011, Gov. Kasich
signed the FY2012-13 budget billthe Jobs Budgetand closed an $8 billion budget
shortfall without raising taxes. In fact, the budget cut taxes by more than $800
million. Based on the twin priorities of fiscal stability and job creation, the Jobs Budget
helped get Ohios fiscal house in order and achieved major, needed policy changes to set
Ohio on a path toward prosperity.
7

Cut Income Taxes: Gov. Kasich is a longtime supporter of income tax cuts and his Jobs
Budget allowed a scheduled $400 million tax cut go into effect. With Ohios small
businesses employing nearly half of the states private-sector workforce and more than 75
percent of small businesses remitting their taxes as personalnot corporateincome,
cutting the income tax is a priority.
Killed the Death Tax: Since 1968 Ohio discouraged business growth and investment
by levying a death tax on the value of a persons estate. To make matters worse, Ohio
had the lowest exemption in the U.S.at $338,333. Many farmers and small business
owners are asset-rich but cash-poor, making it difficult for families to pay the taxes on
inherited assets, often resulting in the closure or sale of a family business. By killing the
death tax in Jobs Budget, Gov. Kasich helped farmers and small businesses see more
than $300 million in tax relief annually.
Modernized Medicaid: Improving the quality of services for vulnerable Ohioans who
need them and giving taxpayers better value are the twin goals of Gov. Kasichs
Medicaid modernization efforts. Implementing this balanced approach allows Ohio to
improve care coordination and emphasize providers care quality, not volume, leading to
better health, better care and $1.5 billion in responsible savings.
Revamped Economic Development: Job creation is Ohios greatest need and the
governors top priority. To jump start these efforts, Gov. Kasich split off the states job-
creation functions from the calcified, bureaucratic Department of Development and, in
the first bill he signed, created a new private, non-profit corporationJobsOhioto
respond to job creators needs at their pace instead of at the speed of statute.
Diversifying Ohios Economy: There was a time when Ohios economy relied heavily
on the auto industry and manufacturing, so when these industries took a downturn Ohios
economy did, too. Rather than betting Ohios economic future on one or two industries,
JobsOhio is both building from traditional positions of strength and focusing on other key
industries that can have the greatest impact on job creation.
Return on Investment: For the first time in Ohios history, taxpayer dollars used for job
creation must produce a positive return on investment (ROI). In 2011, 91 percent of the
projects managed by JobsOhio were ROI positive in year one.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin
Delivered landmark, comprehensive lawsuit-reform legislation.
Signed numerous education reform bills into law.
Cut income taxes in Oklahoma by roughly $120 million annually for businesses and
individuals.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett
Over the last two years closed more than $5 billion in deficits without raising taxes but
instead controlling state spending.
Championed policies that have led to more than 105,000 new jobs being added to the PA
economy since taking office.
Succeeded in getting a first step commitment for a Petrochemical facility in SWPA that
will inaugurate an industrial revolution in the state bringing with it more than 10,000 jobs
in direct and indirect energy fields.
8

Succeed in keeping the three Philadelphia area refineries open and operational keeping
the thousands of jobs at this locations in PA.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley
Signed into law a proposal to require lawmakers to cast more votes on the record.
Passed tort reform.
Passed illegal-immigration reform and voter ID laws.
Passed legislation that dealt with a soaring deficit in Medicaid programs and to
restructure state government.

South Dakota Gov Dennis Daugaard
Signed a balanced budget that completely eliminated the states structural deficit without
raising taxes or using one-time money.
Proposed and signed package of bills to increase state incentives for economic
development.
Formed the state Medicaid Solutions Workgroup during the last legislative session to
control the growth of Medicaid spending.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam
Tax Relief
o Repeal of Inheritance Tax HB 3760/SB 3762 (2012) phases out the state
inheritance tax until it is completely eliminated in 2016.
o Repeal of Gift Tax HB 2840/SB 2777 (2012) repealed Tennessee's tax on gifts.
o Sales Tax Cut HB 3761/SB 3763 (2012) reduced the state portion of the sales
tax on groceries from 5.5% to 5.25% as part of a two-year plan to lower this tax to
5.0%.
o Hall Income Tax Reform HB 1141/SB 0261 (2011) increased the Hall income
tax exemption for taxpayers 65 years of age or older to $26,200 for single filers
and $37,000 for persons filing jointly.
Education Reform
o Tenure Reform HB 2012/HB 1528 (2011) changed a teachers probationary
period before becoming eligible for tenure from three to five years and linked
tenure status to ongoing performance evaluations.
o Charter School Expansion HB 1989/SB 1523 (2011) eliminated the cap on the
number of charter schools allowed in the state and removed enrollment
restrictions on charter schools.
Civil Service Reform
o TEAM Act SB2246/HB2384 (2012) overhauled the states employment system
by: (i) implementing a new hiring process requiring state agencies to define
minimum job qualifications; (ii) creating a new performance evaluation system;
(iii) mandating that job performance be the primary consideration when
considering layoffs; (iv) authorizing merit pay to reward above-average
performance; and (v) streamlining the appeals process governing the dismissal of
staff who are not at-will employees.
Tort Reform
9

o Tennessee Civil Justice Act HB 2008/SB 1522 (2011) provided businesses with
more predictably under the states judicial system by: (i) clarifying the venue
where a business can be sued; (ii) placing a cap of between $750,000 and
$1,000,000 on non-economic damages under most circumstances; and (iii)
placing a cap on punitive damages of the greater of two times compensatory
damages or $500,000 under most circumstances.
Fiscal and Economic Achievements
o Balanced Budget - Tennessee ended the 2011-12 fiscal year with a budget surplus
of over $500 million.
o Strong Balance Sheet Barrons recently ranked Tennessee as having the third
best balance sheet in the country and the Tax Foundation has identified the state
as having the lowest debt per capita in the nation.
o Job Growth According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 50,000
net new jobs.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry
Because Texas has remained committed to conservative fiscal principles like keeping
taxes low, regulations predictable, courts fair and our workforce competitive, the state
added 269,000 private sector jobs over the last year (October October). This marks two
years of continuous monthly job growth in Texas.
At 6.6% in October, Texas unemployment rate remains well below the national average
even with continued population growth due to those from out of state looking for
jobs. Texas unemployment rate has been below the national rate for 70 consecutive
months (more than 5 12 years).
Texas aggressive strategy to become a frontrunner in the nations biotech industry is
reaping significant rewards. The state received strong rankings in the latest Battelle
study, particularly in regard to overall job growth, and was chosen as one of three
destinations for a new federal biotech defense facility, a contract that will make Texas the
centerpiece of our nations biosecurity response efforts, bringing the state to the forefront
of transformational medical and engineering breakthroughs.
Recently Area Development Magazine named Texas #1 in its Top States for Doing
Business Survey, fDi gave Texas the Governors Award 2012 for being most successful
at attracting investment to our state, CNBC announced that Texas is the Top State for
Business in the nation for the third time, and Chief Executive Magazines annual survey
of CEOs ranked Texas the best state for business for the eighth year in a row. Texas is
also the largest exporting state for the eighth year in a row.
In 2011, Texas passed landmark loser pays tort reform, removing a large threat to job
creation and economic growth that had been created by frivolous litigation. This built
on comprehensive medical liability reform passed in 2003, which has improved access to
medical care, particularly in underserved areas, and restored balance to the Texas
judicial system, keeping doctors in the exam room instead of the courtroom.
Texas is at the forefront of making college education more affordable and accessible. In
2011, Gov. Perry challenged institutions of higher education to find efficiencies in the
way they teach students, including offering bachelor's degrees for $10,000 or less,
including books. So far, ten institutions have announced or implemented a $10,000
degree.
10


Utah Gov. Gary Herbert
Added more than 50,000 jobs to Utahs economy in the past two years.
Put in place Utah's first 10-Year Strategic Energy Plan that creates the framework to
secure energy independence.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
Wisconsin has its lowest unemployment rate in 3 years, an improved credit outlook,
eliminated a $3.6 billion deficit and for the first time in more than a decade property
taxes have decreased.
Put forward one of the most aggressive pro-jobs plans in the country.
Gained thousands private-sector jobs.
We lowered the overall tax burden, avoided massive layoffs and actually added $1.2
billion to Medicaid to help needy families, children and seniors.
For the first time in 12 years, property taxes in Wisconsin are falling.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead
Streamlining state government by consolidating IT services, combining two agencies and
evaluating services delivered across agencies.
Creating a state energy policy. This strategy will show state leadership in producing
energy while protecting natural resources.
Reducing the size of government and spending.
Found public-private partnerships to improve residents access to broadband internet.
This will expand and diversify the economy.
Supporting cities, towns and counties. This keeps government closest to the people.
Developing state led solutions for health care.
In 2012 Wyoming was again recognized for having the best Business Tax Climate in the
country by the Tax Foundation.
Wyoming was also named the Best Run State in the country in 2011.