Blog: The Fine Print / Revenue & Spending
Report: Sequestration Cuts Affecting States
Jun 11, 2013 by Jessica Schieder
Broad cuts to federal funding, known as sequestration, will eliminate $5.1 billion in federal assistance to states this year, according to a report by the Economic Policy Institute.
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Administration, Congress Still Searching for Elusive 'Grand Bargain'
Jun 11, 2013 by Patrick Lester
Although declining budget deficits would appear to have undercut pressure for another grand bargain on deficit reduction, administration officials are continuing to meet with Congress in search of an agreement.
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Now Is Not the Time for a 'Grand Bargain'
Jun 10, 2013 by Patrick Lester
The Washington Post took time this weekend to reprimand progressives who think continued budgetary austerity when the economy is still recovering is ill-advised.
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More than a Half Million Sign Petition Against Tax Havens
Jun 10, 2013 by Jessica Schieder
More than 590,000 individuals have signed a petition to G8 leaders calling on them to address tax havens and tax avoidance. The signatories are asking international leaders to “agree and implement tough, binding measures to combat tax evasion” at the G8 Summit to be held in Northern Ireland starting on June 17.
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Senate to Begin Appropriations Process Week of June 17
Jun 7, 2013 by Patrick Lester
The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to begin consideration of annual appropriations bills starting the week of June 17, according to The Hill.
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Offshore Tax Havens May Be Addressed at G8 Summit
Jun 7, 2013 by Jessica Schieder
The issue of offshore tax havens appears likely to play a central role at the annual multinational G8 summit, set to begin June 17. On this side of the Atlantic, Apple’s recent high profile testimony before Congress brought media attention to the issue. The hearing called attention to strategies of “tax avoidance” that saved Apple more than $8 billion in taxes in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
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Center for American Progress Report Challenges Austerity
Jun 6, 2013 by Patrick Lester
The Center for American Progress (CAP), an organization that is generally supportive of Obama administration policies, has decided to part ways with the administration on the need for continued deficit reduction. In a new report, "It's Time to Hit the Rest Button on the Fiscal Debate," the organization argues that it is time to shift from deficit reduction to growing the U.S. economy.
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Boehner Charges Obama With Threatening Government Shutdown
Jun 6, 2013 by Patrick Lester
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) accused President Obama of threatening a government shutdown on June 6. The charge came after the administration issued veto threats against two spending bills that are consistent with a broader House GOP effort to shift further budget cuts from defense spending to domestic programs.
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White House Threatens to Veto GOP Spending Bills
Jun 5, 2013 by Patrick Lester
The White House has issued veto threats against two pending House spending bills, one funding the Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 2217) and another funding military construction and veterans affairs (H.R. 2216).
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Are Defense Department Civilians Behind the DOD’s Spending Problem? Not So Much
Jun 5, 2013 by Nick Schwellenbach
On June 3, 25 defense analysts from several think tanks announced that there are three areas of defense reform consensus:
- Closing down unnecessary military bases and facilities
- Reforming military compensation
- Shrinking the number of Department of Defense (DOD) civilian employees
