The new administration will embolden states’ rights, but it could also create problems for them.
By Alan Greenblatt | Governing
Mike Pence has been a good friend to Asa Hutchinson. The two Republicans both served in the U.S. House, so when Hutchinson was elected governor of Arkansas in 2014, he turned to Pence, then midway through his term as Indiana governor, to be a sounding board and guide. Now Pence is stepping into the vice president’s office, and Hutchinson is hoping to use his old ally as a bridge connecting states to the new administration.
Related: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey: Trump should let states deal with business affairs
It’s a desire that’s widely shared. Given the upheaval that’s coming to Washington, states are going to need a strong advocate there. The actions of Donald Trump and a GOP Congress, while anticipated with something like glee by Republicans around the country, will have enormous consequences for states. Governors like Hutchinson are hoping that their colleagues in Washington, as they work to undo years of Democratic legislation and executive actions, don’t load more burdens onto states than the states can handle.
