On September 12 and 15, I had the privilege of joining Phil Smith, The Concord Coalition’s National Field Director, Bob Zahradnik, the National Policy Director, on the campus of American University along with AU alumnus Kyle Duffy who serves as Concord’s Policy Analyst and Staff Assistant. Together, we introduced students from across the country to The Concord Coalition’s approach to public education, highlighting a hard-hitting fiscal reality and facilitating hands-on problem-solving.
Phil opened with our Chart Talk presentation, which lays out the unsustainable trajectory of federal spending and debt and underscores the urgency of action. From there, students broke out into groups to participate in Concord’s federal budget exercise, Principles & Priorities.
The students understood both the difficulty and the importance of the trade-offs involved in federal budget decisions. Working in teams, they debated priorities, weighed reforms, and impressively identified trillions of dollars in savings over the next decade. Many were invigorated after seeing firsthand that solutions exist when we are willing to engage with them honestly.
The participants represented not only American University but also Hood College, Providence College, Williams College, Santa Clara University, and Mount Holyoke College, among others. Many are now preparing to host Principles & Priorities exercises back on their home campuses, and some even plan to launch new Concord Coalition chapters. That ripple effect is exactly why this work matters, especially when it comes to young people.
Federal budget policy decisions (and indecisions) disproportionately affect younger generations. The choices Congress makes in the coming years will shape the opportunities and burdens they inherit. That’s why it is great to see students energized, informed, and ready to carry this conversation forward.
On a personal note, moving from New York City to Washington, D.C. was about getting closer to policymakers and learning more about the federal budget process. In my time here, I’ve been encouraged by The Concord Coalition’s national grassroots efforts as the organization re-launches and recruits volunteers across the country.
The issues we face are serious, but the options for reform are right in front of us if we are brave enough to take them on. After all, when it comes to our nation’s fiscal future, doing nothing might be the worst option of all.
Zachery Meisel serves as The Concord Coalition’s Fiscal Lookout for the District of Columbia
