While Governor Verdant has been in office, the state’s budget has increased by an average of 6 percent each year. While the previous governor was in office, the state’s budget increased by an average of 11.5 percent each year. Obviously, the austere budgets during Governor Verdant’s term have caused the slowdown in the growth in state spending.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the conclusion drawn above?
(A) The rate of inflation in the state averaged 10 percent each year during the previous governor’s term in office and 3 percent each year during Verdant’s term.
(B) Both federal and state income tax rates have been lowered considerably during Verdant’s term in office.
(C) In each year of Verdant’s term in office, the state’s budget has shown some increase in spending over the previous year.
(D) During Verdant’s term in office, the state has either discontinued or begun to charge private citizens for numerous services that the state offered free to citizens during the previous governor’s term.
(E) During the previous governor’s term in office, the state introduced several so-called “austerity” budgets intended to reduce the growth in state spending.
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I would go for A :the average 10% inflation vs. only 3% during Verdant's term would explain the difference in the budget increase, weakening the conclusion made.

OA ?

Conclusion of the Arugument is - Austere budgets has caused the Slowdown
A --> implies effective growth in budget

But yes can anyone please explain why C doesnot stand against A. It directly talks about increase in spending every year...
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No reasoning gap in the argument hence a requirement of defender answer choice here.

A and C basically mans the same however, A brings a third party element the inflation.As inflation is 10% for previous term the net increase in spending is just 1.5%
However, the net increase in V's term is 3% each year. Thus opposing the trend mentioned in the argument.

Thus A it is.
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