View from the ‘Bridge

According to a new study released on Stateline.org, Deval Patrick is the most powerful Governor in the United States. Taking in to account “tenure, budget authority, appointment and veto powers and at whether the governor’s party controls the legislature” University of North Carolina political scientist Thad L. Beyle determined that Patrick has more clout than the 49 other state governors:

The last factor helped Massachusetts surpass Alaska, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia, which all had been tied for top billing in 2005.

Patrick’s victory in the 2006 elections gave Democrats control of both the governorship and statehouse for the first time in 16 years, and the party has a veto-proof, overwhelming majority in both chambers. “That was the big difference,” Beyle said.

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