Blog
Welcome to our blog – The Bottom Line, where you’ll find up-to-date commentary and analysis on the most important news in the fiscal world. Below is a list of our blog posts.
Not Stepping Backward: CRFB's Paper on Budget Gimmicks
In his recent testimony, CBO directory Doug Elmendorf argued that it would be beneficial for policymakers to make large improvements to our budgetary...
A Responsible Approach to Tax Reform
Last month, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) released three tax reform discussion drafts. One of the most commendable elements in...
The Rumored Aviation Security Fee Increase Explained
A recent CNN Money article suggests that budget conferees are likely to propose an increase in aviation security fees. When added to an increase in...
The Longer We Wait, The Tougher the Choices Become
In our recent paper, " Our Long-Term Debt Problems are Very Far From Solved," we showed that while the debt problem may be long-term, solutions need...
MY VIEW: Laura Tyson December 2013
CRFB board member Laura Tyson and Berkeley Research Group directors Eric Drabkin and Ken Serwin wrote in Project Syndicate in favor of Baucus's...
One Simple Way to Undermine Fiscal Credibility
A new report from the Center for American Progress argues that roughly 60 percent of the sequester should be waived in light of the savings from the...
Congress's Next Play: Don't Punt, Go For It!
We hope all of our readers enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday. The long weekend brought some fantastic rivalry games, Michigan-Ohio State, Auburn...
Line Items: Thanksgiving Edition
Giving Thanks...and Little Else – As we prepare to spend time with family and celebrate Thanksgiving, Congress gave itself a head start on the holiday...
Policymakers Must Not Double-Count Retirement Savings
As budget conference committee chairs Patty Murray and Paul Ryan appear to be moving closer to a partial sequester-replacement deal, reports suggest...
MY VIEW: Alice Rivlin and Pete Domenici
With Congress is in recess, it's likely we won't see a deal this week, but the December 13th deadline for the budget conference committee is fast...
Rethinking Tax Incentives for Education
Efforts to reform the tax code are picking up steam, with several tax plans introduced in the last month. In the House, Ways & Means Chairman Dave...
Baucus Releases Cost Recovery Draft
This week, Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) has been moving forward with tax reform, releasing three discussion drafts. On Tuesday, he...