[Semper Paratus]

A balanced budget doesn't mean no tax hikes.

[Straight Vermonter]

The bottom line on Dean, and just about every other governor in the country, is that he spent every tax dollar that came in during the 90s. Dean could have chosen to return the excess to the taxpayers (that option was never mentioned) or the money could have been put away for the inevitable economic contraction. Of course neither happened.