what does it take to lead your sate through a financial crisis?
TRANSCRIPT
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?