University of Pennsylvania
Online Press Packet

October 14, 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 sponsored by the Annenberg School for Communication, Department of Political Science, Fels Institute of Government, Fox Leadership Program,  and the Wharton School Business and Public Policy Department
WHO:	Honorable David M. Walker, The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Honorable Alice M. Rivlin, The Brookings Institution Robert L. Bixby, The Concord Coalition Stuart Butler, The Heritage Foundation
WHEN:	Tuesday, October 14, 2008 6:00 PM
WHERE:	University of Pennsylvania Houston Hall, Hall of Flags (Room G26)

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)

Alice M. Rivlin

Alice M. Rivlin is a Visiting Professor at the Public Policy Institute of Georgetown University and a Senior Fellow in the Economic Studies program at Brookings. She directs Brookings Greater Washington Research. Before returning to Brookings, Ms. Rivlin served as Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve Board, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, chaired the District of Columbia Financial Management Assistance Authority, and the founding Director of the Congressional Budget Office. She is the author of several books, a frequent contributor to newspapers, television, and radio, and is currently a regular commentator on Nightly Business Report. (Full Bio)

Stuart M. Butler

Stuart Butler has been generating ideas for The Heritage Foundation since 1979, when the young British scholar joined the still relatively obscure conservative think tank as a Policy Analyst specializing in urban issues.

Now as Heritage's Vice President of Domestic and Economic Policy Studies, Butler's ideas continue to change the course of public policy in America. He has gained a reputation and respect in policy circles for his willingness to reach across the ideological divide to develop bipartisan solutions to problems. And he has attained a similar reputation in academic circles.  Butler has played a major role in shaping the policy debate on a wide range of domestic policy issues from health care and Social Security to welfare reform and privatizing government services. Perhaps that's why National Journal, Washington's most influential magazine of politics and policy, named him in the 1980s as "one of 150 individuals outside government who have the greatest influence on decision-making in Washington." (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