Cleveland State University
Online Press Packet

October 2, 2008

What is the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour? 

The purpose of the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour is to draw attention to the simple fact that, according to analysts of diverse political views, current fiscal policy is unsustainable and hard choices must be made to set things right. To that end, we have joined forces with speakers from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, the Brookings Institution, the Heritage Foundation, the Committee for Economic Development and other organizations who may differ on proposed solutions but who all agree on the magnitude of the problem and the need for serious action. Our purpose is not to cast blame but to give the public a better idea of how serious the long-term fiscal problem is, why there is no free lunch, and what the realistic trade-offs are.

We are taking this message across the country because better public awareness of the problem is the first step in finding solutions that are both acceptable and meaningful. Without greater understanding of the problem among the public, community leaders, business leaders and home state media, elected leaders are unlikely to break out of their comfortable partisan talking points. In our Fiscal Wake Up Tour events, we explain the greater context for today's fiscal policy debates, such as: intractable health care costs; changing demographics; inadequate national savings; the crowding out of discretionary spending on everything from defense to education; and ultimately growing deficits and debt that is simply unsustainable.

When will it be in my area? 

WHAT:	Town Hall Meeting
WHO:	Honorable David M. Walker, The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Robert L. Bixby, The Concord Coalition Paul R. Cullinan, The Brookings Institution Brian M. Riedl, The Heritage Foundation
WHEN:	Thursday, October 2, 2008 4:00 PM
WHERE:	Cleveland State University Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Atrium Glickman-Miller Hall 1717 Euclid Avenue To RSVP for this event, visit: http://urban.csuohio.edu/forum/events/register/10_02_08_register.html

Who are the Speakers?

David M. Walker

David M. Walker is the President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.  Prior to joining the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Mr. Walker served as the 7th Comptroller General of the United States and began his term when he took his oath of office on November 9, 1998.  Mr. Walker is the author of Retirement Security: Understanding and Planning Your Financial Future (John Wiley & Sons, 1996) and a co-author of Delivering on the Promise: How to Attract, Manage and Retain Human Capital (Free Press, 1998). Mr. Walker is a certified public accountant. He has a B.S. in Accounting from Jacksonville University, a Senior Management in Government Certificate in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Bryant College and an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Lincoln Memorial University.  (Full Bio)

Robert L. Bixby

Mr. Bixby was named Executive Director of the Concord Coalition in 1999, after serving as the organization's Policy Director, National Field Director, and in other capacities since 1992. He frequently represents Concord's views on budget and entitlement reform policy at congressional hearings and in the national media.  Mr. Bixby has a bachelor's degree in political science from American University in Washington, D.C., a juris doctorate from George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Va., and a master's degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Prior to his work with the Concord Coalition Mr. Bixby practiced law and served as the Chief Staff Attorney of the Court of Appeals of Virginia.  (Full Bio)

Paul R. Cullinan

Dr. Paul Cullinan is currently the research director for the Budgeting for National Priorities project at the Brookings Institution.  Previously, he had been the chief of the Human Resources Cost Estimates Unit at the Congressional Budget Office.  That unit was primarily responsible for CBO’s cost estimates for legislation considered by the Congress in the areas of income security, education and training, housing and food assistance, welfare, and other social services.  Dr. Cullinan also coordinated much of CBO’s work on immigration reform and long-term budgeting.  Before becoming unit chief, he spent 15 years working on Social Security and other income distribution issues at CBO and the Office of Policy Analysis at the Social Security Administration.  Dr. Cullinan received his Ph.D. in economics from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. (Full Bio)

Brian M. Riedl

Brian Riedl is the Heritage Foundation's lead budget analyst.  His areas of expertise include federal spending, appropriations, economic growth, agriculture, and welfare reform  Before coming to Heritage in 2001, Riedl worked for then-Gov. Tommy Thompson, former Rep. Mark Green (R-WI)., and the Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly. Riedl holds a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the University of Wisconsin, and a master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University.  (Full Bio)

About the Organizations:

The Concord Coalition:

The Concord Coalition is a non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about the causes and consequences of federal budget deficits, the long-term challenges facing America's unsustainable entitlement programs, and how to build a sound economy for future generations.  The Concord Coalition's national field staff and loyal group of volunteers cover the country, holding lectures, interactive exercises, conducting classes, giving media interviews, and briefing elected officials and their staffs.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the nature and urgency of several key challenges threatening America's future, and to accelerating action on them. To address these challenges successfully, The Peter G. Peterson Foundation will work to bring Americans together to find sensible, long-term solutions that transcend age, party lines and ideological divides in order to achieve real results.

The Brookings Institution:

The Brookings Institution is a private nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and innovative policy solutions. Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2006, Brookings analyzes current and emerging issues and produces new ideas that matter - for the nation and the world.

The Heritage Foundation:

Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute - a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

Additional Resource:

• "Key Question (Convenstion 2008 Update): Voters Should Ask Candidates About The Budget And Our Nation's Fiscal Future"
• "A Fiscal Wake-Up Call," By Concord Coalition Executive Director Robert L. Bixby
• "Setting Expectations: Why Baselines Matter in the Presidential Campaign and for the Fiscal Future"
• Concord Coalition Plausible Baseline
• Taking Back Our Fiscal Future

CONTACT

Chrissy Hovde, Northeast Regional Director
chovde@concordcoalition.org
(484) 798-5227