New governors prepare to take the reins

The inauguration season for the nation’s newly elected governors will take place over the next few weeks. Republicans gained six governorships, which means they’ll hold 29 seats, while Democrats will hold 20. (Lincoln Chafee, in Rhode Island, will be the only independent). The executive control these governors wield in state governments across the country will have a noticeable impact on the balance of power for both parties in the coming years.

Theda Skocpol, professor of sociology and government at Harvard, says the tense dynamics around state budgets will create some fascinating and complex political stories going forward. Skocpol is also the lead author of a recent Russell Sage Foundation study on President Obama’s agenda in the states.
“The Takeaway” ? morning news for engaged listeners.