Over the last 25 years, Republicans have been successful at gaining control over state governments. Matt Grossmann explores this in his book,”Red State Blues.” He writes, “An increasingly conservative Republican Party has made unprecedented gains at the state level, winning control of 24 new state governments.” While Republicans appear to be highly successful, particularly in Texas, he says larger trends have impeded some of their progress.
Grossmann is director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University, and says “they haven’t really reversed the rise in the size and scope of state government. Median state spending has doubled … and they haven’t reversed the buildup of past liberal laws.”
What you’ll hear in this segment:
– How common political patterns affect the Republican Party’s ability to gain influence and power
– Why Medicaid expansion is one state issue that gets national attention, and is a challenge for Republicans
– What lessons conservatives and liberals can learn from Grossmann’s book
Written by Caroline Covington.
