Instead of borrowing to paper over the deficit and add to the state's mountain of debt, he said, "I should've gone the other direction to early on solve the budget problem and use the political muscle I had that first year in office".
They fell out – bitterly so – over the deficit.
This may be the most relevant characterization of the current fracas in Washington over the deficit.
But Senate Republicans have blocked efforts to continue those extra benefits, citing concerns over the deficit.
But if it fails to make these cuts, the battle over the deficit is lost.
But taxation also goes to the heart of the current debate over the deficit.
The paranoia over the deficit is particularly pernicious, and particularly lacking in empirical foundation.
He took over in July after the previous superintendent resigned amid criticism over the deficit.
That's why this battle, ostensibly over the deficit, is so much larger than the sum of its line-item parts.
Informed debates over the deficit and debts are impossible without an accurate understanding of the state of American taxes.
Concern over the deficit has already led to a sharp rise in interest rates in the last month.
