Policy Briefs

While this year’s high federal deficit is worrisome, far more troubling are the projections of large, unsustainable deficits even after the economy has fully recovered and U.S. military commitments abroad have been scaled back.But in a guest column in The…

With its August update of the Budget and Economic Outlook, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has thrown sand into the political gears of both parties as they hone their fiscal policy arguments for the November elections. (more…)

Good news comes and goes rather quickly in the 2010 Medicare Trustees’ Report, says Concord Executive Director Bob Bixby. The report begins by saying that this year’s health reform bill substantially improved Medicare’s finances. But it also warns that future…

In a marathon session, the president’s fiscal commission heard suggestions late last month from dozens of organizations and individuals on how to fix Social Security, improve the tax system and tackle other difficult challenges facing the country.The bipartisan commission is…

The President’s fiscal commission is dividing its work among three subgroups that will focus on taxes, discretionary spending, and mandatory spending for programs such as Social Security and Medicare.These working groups will meet on Wednesdays, on a rotating basis. The…

With President Obama’s bipartisan fiscal commission preparing for its first meeting tomorrow, some lawmakers are wisely urging its members to put a high priority on public engagement and listening to the views of Americans around the country.“Public forums should be…