Deb McManus
Score: 26
Democrat
Voted against Freedom
State budget bill kept year over year spending increase under the rate of inflation plus population growth, included no new state debt, set aside nearly a quarter billion dollars into Rainy Day Fund. Also featured major education reforms including statewide opportunity scholarship program for low-income students and largely eliminating career status (teacher tenure) in favor of short-term contracts. Civitas believes the conservative position is that the state budget represents a net positive. While not perfect, the budget displays significant fiscal restraint while including a major educational choice initiative.