A Progressive Approach to Budgeting under Musgrove

Abstract

Chapter 7 discusses Governor Ronny Musgrove, a former member of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), who was familiar with the budget making process. This chapter shows how Musgrove was successful in getting more funding for total education (especially K – 12) although he had a less than ideal relationship with the legislature. The constant disputes between the legislature and Musgrove resulted in the legislature overriding 47 of the 58 gubernatorial vetoes in one legislative session (2001 legislative session). Former Musgrove ally, Speaker Tim Ford, attributed the governor’s lack of fiscal success to his lack of communication with the legislature.