mandate budget

[Indradeep]

Most state constitutions now mandate that the state budget be balanced each year.

(A) mandate that the state budget be balanced
(B) mandate the state budget to be balanced
(C) mandate that the state budget will be balanced
(D) have a mandate for a balanced state budget
(E) have a mandate to balance the state budget

Between A and B and why?

[niraj_a]

A

2 reasons: 1) subjunctive mood 2) gmat hates 'to be' for the most part

[Indradeep]

Thats what I though too...
Right answer. Just wanted clarification as "mandate the budget be" sounded best.

[VodkaBoy]

The correct idiom is "MANDATE THAT X BE Y"

In general, always use "Mandate THAT", and remember the rule that in a "THAT"-clause following a verb of recommendation, request or requirement ALWAYS USE THE SUBJUNCTIVE.