State A began cutting its budget in 2008 because of the recession. The result was that spending for public schools was cut by a significant amount, and student class size went up. Meanwhile, tuition in public universities also increased. The state used the extra money created by the cuts in education to balance the budget. Liberals argued that the state should raise taxes to cover the shortfalls, rather than cut programs. Which of the following would not likely be an argument advanced by fiscal conservatives?