Fiscal conservatism is a political and economic philosophy favoring low taxation, low government spending and low government debt. Originally known as classical liberalism, this philosophy came to be known as conservatism during the 1930s in order to distinguish itself from the emerging interventionist, regulatory, welfare state policies then becoming known as liberalism.
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Friedrich A. Hayek, The Constitution of Liberty. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press, 1960. Barry Goldwater, The Conscience of a Conservative. Shepherdsville, Kentucky: Victor Publishing Company, Inc., 1960.
John Maynard Keynes, The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money. London: Macmillian and Co., 1936. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Crisis of the Old Order:1919–1933. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1957. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Coming of the New Deal: 1933–35. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1959. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Politics of Upheaval: 1935–36. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1960.
Tax Foundation, Washington, DC, 2018. www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/ Tax Foundation, Washington, DC, 2009. www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/ Thanks to Henry M. Huckaby for helping me frame this topic. Constitution of the State of Georgia, 1983, Article III, Section IX, Paragraph IV[b]. Constitution of the State of Georgia, 1983, Article VII, Section IV, Paragraph II[b]. Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 45-12-93. Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 4-12-75 (2). The state economist is a contract employee of the Georgia Office of Planning and Budget. The years 1991, 1992, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2020 are the notable exceptions.Thomas P. Lauth, “Budgeting During a Recession Phase of the Business Cycle: The Georgia Experience,” Public Budgeting & Finance, Vol. 23 (Summer 2003): 31.
George Hooks, Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, December 1994, December 1996, December 1998, December 2000, and December 2002.
This section on fiscal conservatism is adapted from my chapter on Georgia in Edward J. Clynch and Thomas P. Lauth, eds., Budgeting in the States: Institutions, Processes, and Politics. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 2006. pp. 33–35.
William Anderson, The Wild Man from Sugar Creek: The Political Career of Eugene Talmadge. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1975. p. 20
Numan V. Bartley , “Georgia Governors in an Age of Change,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds. Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 293.
Gilbert C. Fite , Richard B. Russell, Jr., Senator from Georgia. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press 1991. p. 83.
Gilbert C. Fite, Richard B. Russell, Jr., Senator from Georgia. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press 1991. pp. 79–80.
Gilbert C. Fite, Richard B. Russell, Jr., Senator from Georgia. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press 1991. pp. 79–80.
The Allen Commission on Simplification and Coordination, established by Governor Lamartine G. Hardman (1927–31) provided a foundation for Governor Russell’s reorganization.
Gilbert C. Fite, Richard B. Russell, Jr., Senator from Georgia. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press 1991. p. 88.
Gilbert C. Fite, Richard B. Russell , Jr., Senator from Georgia. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 1991. pp. 89–90.
V.O. Key, Jr., Southern Politics in State and Nation. New York: Vintage Books, 1949. p.116 V.O. Key, Jr., Southern Politics in State and Nation. New York: Vintage Books, 1949. p.128Numan V. Bartley, The Creation of Modern Georgia. Second Edition. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1990. pp. 173–76.
Numan V. Bartley, The Creation of Modern Georgia. Second Edition. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1990. p. 173.
Harold Paulk Henderson , The Politics of Change in Georgia: A Political Biography of Elis Arnall. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 12.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia: A Political Biography of Elis Arnall. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 6.
William Anderson , The Wild Man from Sugar Creek: The Political Career of Eugene Talmadge. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1975. p. 66.
William Anderson, The Wild Man from Sugar Creek: The Political Career of Eugene Talmadge. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1975. p. 115.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia: A Political Biography of Elis Arnall. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 9.
William Anderson, The Wild Man from Sugar Creek: The Political Career of Eugene Talmadge. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1975. pp. 237–238.
Robert M. Howard, Arnold Fleischman and Richard Engstrom, Politics in Georgia, Third Edition. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2017. p. 36.
William Anderson , The Wild Man from Sugar Creek: The Political Career of Eugene Talmadge. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1975. pp. 141–152.
Zell Bryan Miller , The Administration of E. D. Rivers as Governor of Georgia. Master of Arts Thesis, The University of Georgia, 1958. p. iv.
Zell Bryan Miller, The Administration of E. D. Rivers as Governor of Georgia. Master of Arts Thesis, The University of Georgia, 1958. p. 11.
Zell Bryan Miller, The Administration of E. D. Rivers as Governor of Georgia. Master of Arts Thesis, The University of Georgia, 1958. p. 13.
Zell Bryan Miller, The Administration of E. D. Rivers as Governor of Georgia. Master of Arts Thesis, The University of Georgia, 1958. p. 14.
Zell Bryan Miller, The Administration of E. D. Rivers as Governor of Georgia. Master of Arts Thesis, The University of Georgia, 1958. p. 16.
Numan V. Bartley, The Creation of Modern Georgia. Second Edition. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1990. p. 190.
Governor E. D. Rivers message to the General Assembly, February 8, 1939. Reprinted in The Atlanta Constitution, February 9, 1939: 10
Zell Bryan Miller, The Administration of E. D. Rivers as Governor of Georgia. Master of Arts Thesis, The University of Georgia, 1958. p. 97.
The Reconstruction Constitution of 1868 lengthened the term of Georgia governors from 2 to 4 years. The Constitution of 1877 returned the term to 2 years. Rufus Bullock (1868–71) was the first governor elected under the new provision, but resigned before completing a full 4-year term. James Milton Smith (1872–77) served a full 4-year term.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens , GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 98.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 52.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 97.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 99.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens , GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. pp. 98–99.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p.100.
Numan V. Bartley, The Creation of Modern Georgia. Second Edition. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1990. p. 194.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens , GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 54.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 124.
Harold Paulk Henderson, The Politics of Change in Georgia; A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1991. p. 151.
Charles S. Bullock , III, Scott E. Buchanan and Ronald Keith Gaddie, The Three Governors Controversy: Skullduggery, Machinations, and the Decline of Georgia’s Progressive Politics. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2015, and Harold P. Henderson, “M. E. Thompson and the Politics of Succession,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds. Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. pp. 49–65.
Thompson v. Talmadge , 201 GA 867, 871–907 (1947).Harold P. Henderson, “M.E. Thompson and the Politics of Succession,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds. Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 63.
Gene-Gabriel Moore, “M.E. Thompson Recollections,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds. Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 67.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver : Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. p. 24
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver: Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. p. 25
Numan V. Bartley, The Creation of Modern Georgia. Second Edition. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1990. p. 206.
Roger N. Pajari , “Herman E. Talmadge and the Politics of Power,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 82.
Roger N. Pajari, “Herman E. Talmadge and the Politics of Power,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 82.
Roger N. Pajari, “Herman E. Talmadge and the Politics of Power,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 76.
Roger N. Pajari, “Herman E. Talmadge and the Politics of Power,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 82.
Roger N. Pajari, “Herman E. Talmadge and the Politics of Power,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 85.
Roger N. Pajari, “Herman E. Talmadge and the Politics of Power,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 78.
Governor Marvin Griffin’s address to the General Assemble at the opening of the Extraordinary Session, June 6, 1955. Text reprinted in the Atlanta Constitution, June 7, 1955: 12.
See Scott E. Buchanan, “Some People Who Ate My Barbecue Didn’t Vote for Me,” The Life of Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin, Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press, 2011. pp. 132–144.
Albert Riley, “Griffin Told Where to Spend Fund,” and M. L. St. John, “Income Tax Passes After Floor Fight,” Atlanta Constitution, June 18, 1955: 1 and 3.
Harold Paulk Henderson , Ernest Vandiver: Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. pp. 229–230.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver: Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. p 94.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver: Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. p. 143.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver: Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. p. 143.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver: Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. pp. 143–144.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver: Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. p. 144.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver : Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. p. 144.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver: Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. p. 154.
Harold Paulk Henderson, Ernest Vandiver : Governor of Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. pp. 154–155.
James F. Cook, Carl Sanders: Spokesman of the New South. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1993. p. 124.
James F. Cook, Carl Sanders: Spokesman of the New South. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1993. p. 169.
James F. Cook, Carl Sanders: Spokesman of the New South. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1993. p. 220.
James F. Cook, “Carl Sanders and the Politics of the Future,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds. Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. pp. 174–176.
From $422,532,658 in FY 1963 to $585,583,839 in FY 1966. Georgia Department of Revenue, 2000 Statistical Report. p. 6.
James F. Cook, Carl Sanders : Spokesman of the New South. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1993. p. 261.
Carl E. Sanders, “A Time for Progress,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds. Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. pp. 189-–190.
Georgia Laws, 1962: 17–37. Approved February 12, 1962.James F. Cook, “Carl Sanders and the Politics of the Future,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds. Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 184.
Bob Short , Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. p. 64.
Fortson v. Morris , 385 U.S. 231 (1966), reversed 262 F. Supp. 93 (1966).Bob Short, Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. p. 103.
Bob Short, Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. p. 104.
Lester Maddox, State of the State and Budget Message, January 13, 1967.Bob Short, Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. pp. 214–215.
Bob Short, Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. pp. 102–104.
Lester Maddox, State of the State Address, January 14, 1969.Bob Short, Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. pp. 118–119.
Bob Short, Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. pp. 125–137.
Bob Short, Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. p. 178.
Gary M. Fink , “Jimmy Carter and the Politics of Transition,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds., Georgia Governors in an Age of Change. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 238.
Bob Short, Everything is Pickrick: The Life of Lester Maddox. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1999. p. 131.
Betty Glad, Jimmy Carter: in Search of the Great White House. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1980. pp. 197–80
Gary M. Fink, “Jimmy Carter and the Politics of Transition,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds., Georgia Governors in an Age of Change. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 241.
Gary L. Roberts, “Jimmy Carter: Years of Challenge, Years of Change,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds., Georgia Governors in an Age of Change. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 251.
Thomas P. Lauth, “Zero-Base Budgeting in Georgia State Government: Myth and Reality,” Public Administration Review, Vol. 38 (September/October 1978). pp. 420–430 at p. 420.
Gary M. Fink, “Jimmy Carter and the Politics of Transition,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds., Georgia Governors in an Age of Change. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 244
Gary L. Roberts, “Jimmy Carter: Years of Challenge, Years of Change,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds., Georgia Governors in an Age of Change. Athens, GA; The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 253.
Numan V. Bartley, The Creation of Modern Georgia. Second Edition. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1990. p. 231.
Betty Glad, Jimmy Carter: in Search of the Great White House. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1980. pp. 192–93.
Betty Glad, Jimmy Carter: in Search of the Great White House. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1980. p. 195.
Thomas P. Lauth and Catherine C. Reese, “The Line-Item Veto in Georgia: Fiscal Restraint or Inter-Branch Politics?” Public Budgeting & Finance, Vol. 26, No. 2 (Summer 2006). pp. 1–19 at pp.12–13.
On November 2, 1976, Georgia voters approved gubernatorial succession to a 4-year term, by a vote of 772,441 (64.5%), Yes and 425,208 (35.5%), No. “Amendment Votes Certified,” Atlanta Constitution, November 13, 1976: 4-A.
George D. Busbee, “Building a New Economic Order,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds., Georgia Governors in an Age of Change. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. pp. 279–285.
Busbee et al. v. Georgia Conference, American Association of University Professors et al., 235 Ga. 752 (1975). 221 S.E.2d 437.
George D. Busbee, “Building a New Economic Order,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds., Georgia Governors in an Age of Change. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 282.
Georgia Laws, 1977: 384–396. HB 502 was approved March 1, 1977. Beau Cutts, “Tax Relief Funds May be Released,” Atlanta Constitution, March 23, 1979: 1-A and 31-A.David Morrison, “Governor: ‘Can’t Rest on Laurels’,” Atlanta Constitution, January 1, 1979: 1 and 21.
Joe Frank Harris, “Visions for a Better Georgia,” in Harold P. Henderson and Gary L. Roberts, eds., Georgia Governors in an Age of Change: From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1988. p. 300.
Debbie Newby, “Harris Signs Education Bill: Vows to Pursue Quality,” Atlanta Journal, April 16, 1985: B1.
Joe Frank Harris, Joe Frank Harris, Personal Reflections on a Public Life. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 1998. p. 121.
Zell Miller, A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat. Atlanta, GA: Stroud & Hall Publishers, 2003. pp. 16–17.
Zell Miller, A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat. Atlanta, GA: Stroud & Hall Publishers, 2003. p. 44.
Zell Miller, A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat. Atlanta, GA: Stroud & Hall Publishers, 2003. pp. 47–48.
Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 1999.James C. Cobb, The South and America Since World War II. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. p. 267.
Georgia Laws, 1999: 273–276. HB 553 was approved April 15, 1999.Thomas P. Lauth, “Budgeting During a Recession Phase of the Business Cycle: The Georgia Experience,” Public Budgeting & Finance, Vol. 23 (Summer 2003): 26–38.
Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2000, Fiscal Year 2001, Fiscal Year 2002 and Fiscal Year 2003.
Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2004. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2005. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2007. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2008. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2009. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2010. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2011. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2012. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2013. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2014. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2015. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2017. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2018. Governor’s Budget Report , Fiscal Year 2019.