She basically did the same thing as Romney while governor – increased taxes to obtain a AAA rating:
Specifically, the state oil tax. Her central achievement as governor was signing a law, Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share (ACES), that dramatically increased the state's share of oil profits just as oil prices began to take off. There's a direct line between increased revenue and improved fiscal health.
Ben Smith adds:
The gap between the anti-tax purity of the national GOP and the more complicated position of governors is the consequence of governors having to actually balance budgets.
The Dish 