A Fiscal Cliff: New Perspectives on the U.S. Federal Debt Crisis
In 2020, the U.S. federal budget deficit more than tripled, surpassing $3 trillion for the first time ever. That might seem like a far‐off concern, but it shouldn’t. The editors of A Fiscal Cliff: New Perspectives on the U.S. Federal Debt Crisis call our attention to a problem that has never gone away, one that could easily lead to a catastrophe: How will future generations pay for our profligacy? Please watch the online book forum with the editors for a discussion of this growing issue.
Focus on Fiscal Leadership: Release of the 2020 Fiscal Report Card on America’s Governors
Going into 2020, the United States was in its 11th year of economic expansion and state governments were enjoying robust revenue and spending growth. Then COVID-19 hit and triggered a deep recession, which has created new budget challenges for the nation’s governors. That is the backdrop to this year’s 15th biennial Fiscal Report Card on America’s Governors, which examines state budget actions since 2018 and grades the governors on their tax and spending records. Watch the event for a conversation between Cato Institute President Peter Goettler, Director of Tax Policy Studies Chris Edwards, and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu about this year’s report and the importance of fiscal restraint in state government.
Welfare for the Rich: How Your Tax Dollars End Up in Millionaires’ Pockets—and What You Can Do about It
In their new book, Welfare for the Rich, Phil Harvey and Lisa Conyers analyze the many ways that federal and state governments provide handouts—subsidies, grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, price supports, and many other payouts—to millionaires, billionaires, and the companies they own and run. Welfare for the Rich paints a comprehensive picture of a system where the government keeps wealth and power flowing from the many to the few. Join us for this book forum on October 1st to learn what we can do about this situation.
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