Latest
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Fiscal Consolidations: How and When
Alberto Alesina of Harvard University has a new paper out that talks about how differences in the composition of debt reduction packages make a...
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Weekend Editorial Roundup
Here are the highlights from this weekend’s editorials on fiscal and budget policy: The Denver Post argued against both a second stimulus and the...
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‘Line’ Items: Summer Arrives Edition
Summertime, but the Living Isn’t Easy in Congress – Today brings the first official day of summer, but Washington has already been experiencing...
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MARKETWATCH June 14-18
Yes, financial markets too are being affected by the World Cup. So far today, trading is quiet – even though today is one of the famous Triple...
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OMB Keeps Chipping Away
We reported last week many times on efforts by the Obama Administration to save small chunks of change (see here, here, and here.) But they're not...
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“Extenders” Bill Lives Up to Its Name
Legislation to extend tax breaks that expired last year, as well as expanded social safety net provisions and relief for doctors from a steep cut in...
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France and Spain Begin to Tackle Deficit Woes
In the aftermath of the Greek financial crisis, leaders of European nations like France and Spain are taking steps to stabilize their economies and...
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One Stimulus Bill Passes--But Not the One You're Thinking
With much of the nation's attention focused on President Obama's oil spill address and much of the fiscal policy universe focused on the extenders...
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The Debt Buy-Down Act
Senator John McCain has introduced the Debt Buy-Down Act of 2010. A variation of this bill has been introduced in several previous Congresses (102nd...
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Update: So How Much Does This Bill Cost Now?
The Senate released yet another version of the tax extenders and social safety net bill (The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 - H.R...
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Coordinating Stimulus and Consolidation
The Wall Street Journal points out that deficit aversion is coming to Washington at a bad time. Just as lawmakers are looking to provide an extra kick...
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“Doc Fix” Puts Congress in a Fix
The debate that won’t end drags on in the Senate as legislation to extend tax breaks, expanded unemployment insurance and the Medicare “doc fix” didn...