Policy Briefs

With lawmakers returning to Washington this week, Republicans face an extremely difficult task: Living up to the campaign rhetoric that helped them gain dozens of congressional seats in the Nov. 2 elections.Republicans campaigned on a pledge to move towards a…

The co-chairs of President Obama’s fiscal commission released sweeping proposals last week that won praise from The Concord Coalition and many other analysts while drawing fire from some strident voices at both ends of the political spectrum.The proposals from co-chairs…

Although today’s election will change the political landscape in Washington, unpleasant fiscal realities will remain: Rapidly rising medical costs, a Social Security system headed for insolvency, a deeply flawed tax system and federal debt that is on an unsustainable track.Will…

Many baby boomers put a high priority on “investing” in their children by encouraging good health habits, getting them to doctors and dentists for regular check-ups, and preparing them for college.But Diane Lim Rogers, The Concord Coalition’s chief economist, points…

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…