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Zandi Analyses Show "Democratic" Measures in Tax Cut-UI Deal Boost Economy, "Republican" Measures Add to Deficit Risks
December 22, 2010
As a result of the tax cut-unemployment insurance legislation that President Obama signed into law last week, economic forecasters have substantially upgraded their outlook for 2011 (see the box on page 2). An analysis of the compromise by Mark Zandi, the chief economist for Moody’s Analytics, indicates that this greater optimism stems … -
Podcast: Rising Need, Falling Funding for TANF Program
December 21, 2010
Director of the Center’s Welfare Reform and Income Support Division, Dr. LaDonna Pavetti, talks about cuts to the safety net despite the rising need among our most vulnerable citizens.
Duration: 4:43
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Business Expensing Proposal Would Add to State Fiscal Problems
Updated December 16, 2010
Notwithstanding the overall positive impacts that the tax deal between President Obama and Republican leaders would have for the economy in the near term, its provision to encourage business investment in machinery and equipment would cost states over $11 billion in state corporate and individual income tax revenues during the … -
Federal TANF Funding Shrinking While Need Remains High
December 15, 2010
With unemployment high and millions of families in need, for the first time since 1996 when President Clinton and Congress created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant as part of welfare reform, no additional TANF funds are available from the federal government to help states respond to the large … -
Podcast: The Recovery Act is Boosting the Economy
December 14, 2010
Michael Leachman, Assistant Director of the Center’s State Fiscal Project, discusses the latest information showing that the Recovery Act is creating jobs and boosting the economy.
Duration: 3:53
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Unpacking the Tax Cut-Unemployment Compromise
December 10, 2010
Last night, the Senate released legislative language for the tax cut-unemployment insurance compromise negotiated between President Obama and Congressional Republicans. The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) released an official cost estimate for the revenue portions of the bill shortly thereafter. These graphs illustrate the various components … -
Comparison Between Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA) and Current Law
December 9, 2010
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House Continuing Resolution Would Prevent Deep Cuts in Families Assisted by Low-Income Housing Programs
December 9, 2010
The full-year continuing resolution that the House of Representatives approved yesterday includes funding increases for the current fiscal year (2011) for three housing programs that play an important role in alleviating hardship and reducing homelessness among low-income families: the Housing Choice (“Section 8”) Voucher Program, … -
State Earned Income Tax Credits: 2010 Legislative Update
Updated December 9, 2010
An Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) modeled on the federal program of the same name is now offered in 23 states and the District of Columbia as a way to reduce taxes and supplement wages for low- and moderate-income working families. A large body of evidence has shown that the state and federal EITCs serve a number of important … -
State Film Subsidies: Not Much Bang For Too Many Bucks
Updated December 9, 2010
Like a Hollywood fantasy, claims that tax subsidies for film and TV productions — which nearly every state has adopted in recent years — are cost-effective tools of job and income creation are more fiction than fact. In the harsh light of reality, film subsidies offer little bang for the buck. State film subsidies are costly … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on the Tax Cut-Unemployment Insurance Deal
Updated December 8, 2010
The deal between President Obama and Republican leaders on tax cuts and unemployment insurance has two substantial positive aspects: its surprisingly strong protections for low- and middle-income working families and its stronger-than-expected boost for the economy and jobs. But it … -
Podcast: Housing Assistance at Risk for Struggling Families
December 7, 2010
Senior Policy Analyst Doug Rice discusses proposed funding cuts that could cause tens of thousands of low-income families to lose housing assistance during these tough economic times.
Duration: 3:20
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Podcast: The November Unemployment Report and What It Means for the Economy
December 3, 2010
?The jobs report for November is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 3:57
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the November Employment Report
December 3, 2010
Today’s disappointing employment report shows that the economy is continuing to create jobs, but job growth is far too slow to bring down the painfully high long-term unemployment rate (see chart). With such a high percentage of the unemployed unable to find a job within 26 weeks, … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director and James Horney, Director of Federal Fiscal Policy, on the Final Report from the Co-Chairs of the Deficit Commission
December 1, 2010
The new deficit reduction plan that the co-chairs of the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform — former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles and former Republican Senator Alan Simpson — presented today to commission members contains a number of relatively modest … -
Employer-Based Health Coverage Declined Sharply Over Past Decade
December 1, 2010
In September, the Census Bureau released data showing that the number and percentage of Americans without health insurance rose at a record pace in 2009, continuing a decade-long increase. This trend reflects the decline in private health coverage, primarily in employer-sponsored coverage. Although the severe economic … -
Rivlin-Domenici Deficit Reduction Plan Is Superior to Bowles-Simpson in Most Areas
November 30, 2010
The Rivlin-Domenici deficit reduction plan, which a commission of the Bipartisan Policy Center unveiled last week, marks a significant improvement over a plan from the co-chairs of President Obama’s fiscal commission — with the exception of health care, in which the Rivlin-Domenici plan actually is more problematic. … -
Podcast: The Impact of the Expiration of Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits
November 30, 2010
Chad Stone, the Center’s Chief Economist, discusses the expiration of federal emergency unemployment benefits and what it means for millions of jobless workers and the economy.
Duration: 3:33
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Proposals to Cut Domestic Programs Threaten Loss of Housing Assistance for Thousands of Low-Income Families
November 29, 2010
The full House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Appropriations have approved bills that would provide adequate funding in 2011 to renew all Housing Choice (“Section 8”) vouchers used by low-income families this year, according to Center analysis. If final appropriations legislation were to fund the … -
Amazon’s Arguments Against Collecting Sales Taxes Do Not Withstand Scrutiny
Revised November 29, 2010
The Internet retailer Amazon.com has offered two primary justifications for opposing efforts of a growing number of states to require the company and other online retailers to charge sales tax. Amazon officials have argued that collecting sales taxes would be administratively burdensome. They have also claimed that the … -
New CBO Report Finds Up to 3.6 Million People Owe Their Jobs to the Recovery Act
Updated November 29, 2010
View the most recent version of this report: New CBO Report Finds Hundreds of Thousands of People Still Owe Their Jobs to the Recovery Act Updated May 29, 2012 A new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimates that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) increased the number of people employed by between 1.4 million and 3.6 … -
How Much Would a State Earned Income Tax Credit Cost in Fiscal Year 2012?
Updated November 24, 2010
The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the nation’s most effective anti-poverty program for working families. It lifted 6.5 million people — including 3.3 million children — above the poverty line in 2009.[1] The 24 state-level EITCs modeled after the federal program complement it in combating … -
Podcast: Understanding Food Insecurity in the U.S.
November 23, 2010
Senior Policy Analyst Dottie Rosenbaum discusses the findings of the US Department of Agriculture’s report on food insecurity that was released last week.
Duration: 3:46
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Changing Budget Process Won’t Reduce Deficit — Only Specific Policy Changes Can Do That
November 18, 2010
A commission funded by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts has proposed far-reaching changes in the process by which the President and Congress develop and implement the federal budget.[1] The commission argues that the current federal budget process contributes to large deficits and that reducing the deficit … -
Media Briefing: Are State Film Tax Credits Worth the Cost?
November 17, 2010
Dr. Robert Tannenwald, Senior Fellow with the Center’s State Fiscal Project, discusses why state tax subsidies that are designed to attract film and TV productions are ineffective tools for job creation and economic development.
Duration: 9:51
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“Progressive” Price-Indexing Would Significantly Cut Social Security Benefits for Many Recipients
November 17, 2010
Proposals to tie initial benefit levels for new Social Security beneficiaries to changes in prices rather than average wages are receiving attention as policymakers wrestle with the nation’s fiscal challenges and with options to close Social Security’s long-term financing shortfall. Such proposals, commonly called … -
Press Release: Tax Subsidies to Attract Film and TV Productions Don’t Pay Off for States
November 17, 2010
In recent years, nearly every state has adopted generous tax subsidies for film and TV productions in an attempt to create local jobs and boost the state economy, but the cost of these subsidies is outweighing their benefits, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.… -
Bowles-Simpson Plan Commendably Puts Everything on the Table But Has Major Deficiencies Because It Lacks an Appropriate Balance Between Program Cuts and Revenue Increases
November 16, 2010
I. Overview and Summary The November 10 plan from the co-chairs of President Obama’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform helps move the budget debate beyond misguided claims that policymakers can tame deficits simply or primarily by eliminating earmarks and “waste, fraud, and abuse.” It also wisely subjects all … -
Podcast: Key Issues Facing Congress
November 16, 2010
Jim Horney, the Center’s director of Federal Fiscal Policy, discusses the key issues facing Congress during the lame duck session that began yesterday.
Duration: 4:45
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Business Expensing Proposal Would Add to State Fiscal Problems
November 11, 2010
View more recent report with more up-to-date data: Business Expensing Proposal Would Add to State Fiscal Problems Updated December 16, 2010 President Obama’s proposed temporary tax incentive to encourage business investment in machinery and equipment would cost states up to $20 billion instate corporate and individual income tax revenues during … -
House GOP Leaders’ Plan Would Slash Funds for State and Local Services, Slow Economic Recovery
November 11, 2010
A proposal by House Republican leaders to cut non-security discretionary spending by more than 20 percent in fiscal year 2011 could reduce federal funding for programs operated by state and local governments by $32 billion, substantially reducing the ability of those governments to provide crucial services to millions of Americans. (See page … -
Emergency Unemployment Insurance Benefits Remain Critical for the Economy
November 10, 2010
Although the unemployment rate is stuck at more than 9½ percent, jobless workers will see unemployment insurance (UI) benefits slashed to pre-recession levels unless Congress acts before the end of this month. That would deliver a harsh blow to most of the 5 million workers now receiving federal emergency UI benefits … -
Media Briefing: A Priority for Lame Duck Congress: Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Insurance
November 10, 2010
Robert Greenstein, Executive Director and Chad Stone, Chief Economist explains what it would mean if Congress fails to continue the emergency UI program, which provides additional weeks of federal benefits to unemployed workers who exhaust their 26 weeks of regular state benefits before they can find a job.
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Social Security Shortfall Warrants Action Soon
November 9, 2010
For more than two decades, the Social Security trustees have reported that there is a significant long-term gap between the program’s benefits and revenues under current policies. Policy makers have not yet corrected this imbalance in part because of the difficulty of finding an acceptable compromise resolution. Reasonable individuals disagree about the … -
Bipartisan Experts Agree that Social Security Shortfall Exists; Congress Should Act Soon To Fix It
November 9, 2010
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Vast Majority of Large Maryland Corporations Are Already Subject to “Combined Reporting” in Other States
November 9, 2010
For the past several years, there has been serious discussion in Maryland of adopting an important reform in the state corporate income tax known as “combined reporting.” The state legislature established the Maryland Business Tax Reform Commission in 2007 to study combined reporting and several other corporate tax policy issues, … -
Podcast: Emergency Unemployment Insurance Benefits Remain Critical
November 9, 2010
Chad Stone, the Center’s Chief Economist, discusses what’s at stake if Congress fails to renew the federal emergency unemployment benefits program that helps millions of laid off workers meet their families’ basic expenses at a time when jobs remain very hard to find. Duration: 3:48
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Press Release: Most Maryland Corporations Already Comply With Proposed Corporate Tax Reform in Other States
November 9, 2010
While proposals to adopt a key corporate tax reform in Maryland have drawn criticism from some multistate corporations, the vast majority of Maryland’s largest corporations already comply with the reform in at least one of the 23 other states that have it, according to a report released today … -
Podcast: The October Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
November 5, 2010
I’m Keri Fulton and I’m here with Chad Stone, the Center’s Chief Economist, to discuss the jobs report for October. 1. Chad, today’s jobs report seems to have generated some excitement for the first time in a while with the economy generating more jobs than expected. Is the … -
Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the October Employment Report
November 5, 2010
Today’s employment report contains much better news on job creation than expected, but it does not change the underlying fact that the economic recovery remains weak and the economy needs a boost. For the tenth straight month, the private sector created jobs, but the pace of job creation … -
Testimony of Robert Tannenwald, Senior Fellow, before the New Hampshire Business Tax Commission
November 4, 2010
Executive Summary Business tax cuts and/or new business tax incentives will not put New Hampshire back on a path of stable, widely shared prosperity because: Business tax reductions will not pay for themselves. In order to finance them, the state will have to raise … -
Podcast: State Ballot Initiatives Will Affect Public Services
November 2, 2010
Jon Shure, the Deputy Director of the Center’s State Fiscal Project, discusses how in some states people will vote today on ballot initiatives that will significantly affect public services.
Duration: 3:28
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Podcast: States Continue to Feel Recession’s Effects
October 25, 2010
Policy Analyst Phil Oliff discusses how states are still struggling to deal with the steep decline in revenues brought on by the recession.
Duration: 2:51
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Some Recent Reports Overstate the Effect on State Budgets of the Medicaid Expansions in the Health Reform Law
October 21, 2010
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states are required to expand their Medicaid programs to cover all non-elderly adults and children with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty line ($29,400 for a family of four) starting on January 1, 2014. According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the cost to states of … -
Ryan Plan Makes Deep Cuts in Social Security
Revised October 21, 2010
A new analysis by Social Security’s chief actuary of several possible changes to the program allows one to calculate the size of the benefit reductions that Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget plan would generate. Those cuts are very deep. By 2080, the initial benefit of a medium earner (someone earning $43,000 in today’s terms) … -
Podcast: Why There Won’t Be a COLA in 2011
October 19, 2010
Paul Van de Water, Senior Fellow, discusses the news that seniors won’t receive a cost-of-living-adjustment to their Social Security benefits this year.
Duration: 3:12
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TANF Benefits Are Low and Have Not Kept Pace With Inflation
October 14, 2010
TANF cash assistance programs provide critical income support to some of the nation’s most vulnerable families with children. How well these programs do at protecting children from deep poverty and material deprivation depends on both the extent to which very poor families are actually enrolled in the program and the level of benefits … -
Podcast: Deep Poverty Reaches Record High Nationwide
October 12, 2010
Senior Researcher Arloc Sherman discusses “deep poverty,” and how it affects families.
Duration: 4:42
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Podcast: The September Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
October 8, 2010
The jobs report for September is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone. Duration: 3:32
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the September Employment Report
October 8, 2010
Today’s jobs report shows that the economy still faces a long and difficult climb out of the jobs hole created by the recent recession. The private sector has created, on average, fewer than 100,000 jobs a month this year — not enough to keep up with population growth and not nearly … -
New Deficit-Reduction Plan Would Jeopardize Health Reform
October 6, 2010
Bill Galston of the Brookings Institution and Maya MacGuineas of the New America Foundation recently offered a plan to reduce federal deficits and push down debt held by the public to 60 percent of gross domestic product by 2020.[1] The plan has several commendable features. It explicitly recognizes that it would be unrealistic to hold federal … -
Conference: America's Fiscal Future
October 5, 2010
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Understanding the Social Security Trust Funds
October 5, 2010
Few budgetary concepts generate as much unintended confusion and deliberate misinformation as the Social Security trust funds. Political candidates of both parties have accused their opponents of “raiding” the trust funds.[1] Some writers disparage the trust funds as “funny money” or “IOUs.”[2] All these … -
Podcast: Understanding the Social Security Trust Funds
October 5, 2010
Paul Van de Water, Senior Fellow, discusses some basic information about the Social Security trust funds.
Duration: 4:40
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Flawed Study Should Be Given No Credence in Evaluating Jobs and Revenue Impact of California Corporate Tax Break
September 29, 2010
A coalition of California corporations has released an economic analysis of the job and revenue gains the state supposedly can expect to see if a corporate tax break is allowed to go into effect next year. The study is so flawed, however, that it should not be given any credence in evaluating the potential impact of the tax break on California … -
Podcast: What the New Fiscal Year Means for Federal Programs
September 28, 2010
Jim Horney, Director of Federal Fiscal Policy, discusses how federal programs are affected by the start of the new fiscal year. Duration: 5:04
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Podcast: This Week’s Health Care Milestone
September 21, 2010
January Angeles, Policy Analyst, discusses an important milestone for the health reform law that will take place this week.
Duration: 2:56
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Census Data Show Large Jump in Poverty and the Ranks of the Uninsured in 2009
September 17, 2010
Several points stand out from the data on income, poverty, and health insurance that the Census Bureau released on September 16: Poverty rose by a large amount in 2009, as 3.7 million more people fell into poverty. The number and percentage of Americans in poverty rose substantially, driven by deep job losses and record levels of … -
Media Briefing: Examining the New 2009 Census Data on Poverty, Income, and Health Insurance Coverage
September 16, 2010
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Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on Census’ 2009 Poverty and Health Insurance Data
September 16, 2010
The Census Bureau data for 2009 reflect the severity of the recent recession, as poverty rose sharply and the number of uninsured spiked. The new figures somewhat overstate the rise in poverty, however, because they do not count the bulk of direct assistance that the 2009 Recovery Act provided to … -
Thousands of Poor Refugees Face Loss of SSI Benefits
September 15, 2010
On October 1, up to 5,600 poor refugees and other poor individuals admitted to the United States because they faced persecution in their home countries will lose badly needed benefits from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, when a temporary provision of law expires. Over the next 13 months, up to 11,000 such individuals will have … -
Boehner Proposal Would Cut Non-Security Discretionary Programs 21 Percent, The Deepest Such Cut in Recent U.S. History
Revised September 15, 2010
House Minority Leader John Boehner on September 8 issued a proposal to cut funding for non-security discretionary programs and to extend all of the Bush tax cuts for two years. He portrayed the proposal as a bipartisan compromise. Closer examination shows, however, that this is a radical plan that reflects deeply conservative … -
Understanding the Census Bureau’s Upcoming Report on Poverty
September 14, 2010
On September 16 the Census Bureau will release official figures on poverty in 2009.[1] Below are three facts to keep in mind when reviewing the new data: 1. Official Poverty Measure May Increase by Record Amount in 2009 We expect a large increase for 2009 in both the number of Americans in poverty and the percentage of the population in … -
Cutting State Corporate Income Taxes Is Unlikely to Create Many Jobs
September 14, 2010
Corporate income taxes are important sources of revenue that states use to fund public services, including services essential to long-term economic growth like education, infrastructure, health care, and public safety. Nonetheless, a number of 2010 gubernatorial candidates have made corporate tax cuts key planks of their campaign platforms. … -
Podcast: Understanding the Census Bureau’s Upcoming Report on Poverty
September 14, 2010
Arloc Sherman, Senior Researcher in the Center’s Welfare Reform and Income Support Division, discusses what to look for in the Census Bureau’s upcoming release of data on poverty in 2009.
Duration: 4:05
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Johanns Amendment to Small Business Bill Would Raise Health Insurance Premiums, Increase the Ranks of the Uninsured, and Eliminate Preventive Health Funding
Updated September 13, 2010
The Senate will vote tomorrow, September 14, on an amendment from Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) to small business legislation that would repeal a provision of the health reform law designed to raise revenue by reducing noncompliance with the nation’s tax laws. [1] While critics have raised legitimate concerns about some of the paperwork … -
To Avoid Looming Tax Increases for Employers and Likely Benefit Cuts for Unemployed Workers, Moratorium on State Interest Payments to Federal UI Trust Fund Needs to Be Extended
Updated September 13, 2010
To avoid tax increases for employers and benefit cuts for unemployed workers, which would damage the still-weak economic recovery, policymakers should extend a moratorium on the interest payments that state unemployment insurance (UI) trust funds must make to the federal government for the funds they borrow to pay … -
“FairTax” Proposals to Replace State Income and Business Taxes With Expanded Sales Tax Would Create Serious Problems
September 7, 2010
Proposals in several states to eliminate income and business taxes and substitute higher, broader sales taxes would threaten a state’s ability to maintain necessary services over time and sharply increase the taxes that many low- and middle-income households pay. Such proposals, which supporters often call “FairTax” … -
Podcast: Next Steps on the Estate Tax
September 7, 2010
Chuck Marr, the Center’s Director of Federal Tax Policy, discusses the current status of the estate tax.
Duration: 3:56
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Press Release: Minnesota Subsidized Jobs Program Will Be Scaled Back if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
Updated September 7, 2010
Clarification: We have updated this press release to reflect the fact that the subsidized jobs program originally placed five paid interns with Permac Industries. The press release originally stated that Permac Industries hired them as employees. Minnesota will have to scale back a subsidized transitional jobs program that it has expanded significantly during … -
Podcast: The August Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
September 3, 2010
The jobs report for August is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 2:57
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Statement by Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the August Employment Report
September 3, 2010
Today’s jobs report provided better news than expected about private-sector job creation, but the case for additional stimulus to boost a tepid economic recovery and revive the job market remains strong. The good news, as the chart below shows, is that the economy has now added private-sector jobs for eight straight months. The bad news is that adding … -
Press Release: Connecticut Will Be Unable to Expand Successful Jobs Programs if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
A greatly expanded Connecticut subsidized employment program, which has provided jobs for over 6,000 low-income parents and youth, will never reach its full potential unless Congress this fall extends the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The employment program uses federal dollars provided … -
Press Release: Ohio Counties Will Be Unable to Expand Successful Jobs Programs if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
A new Ohio subsidized employment program, which has provided jobs for 1,500 parents in 44 Ohio counties and 8,000 youth in 69 counties, will never reach its full potential unless Congress this fall extends the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The employment program uses federal dollars … -
Press Release: ‘Hire Colorado’ Jobs Program to End if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
Hire Colorado, a new subsidized employment program that has provided jobs for 1,600 parents in counties across the state, will shut its doors on September 30 if Congress fails this month to extend the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Most of the job placements for Hire Colorado are with … -
Press Release: South Carolina Will Be Unable to Continue Successful Jobs Program if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
A new South Carolina subsidized employment program (known as the STEP program), which has provided jobs for 650 parents, will stop placing South Carolinians in jobs on September 30 unless Congress this fall extends the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The STEP program uses federal dollars … -
Press Release: 12,000 Pennsylvania Jobs to Disappear on September 30 if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
As many as 12,000 workers in Pennsylvania could lose their jobs this month if the Senate fails to extend federal funding that allowed the state to create Way to Work, a highly successful program that subsidizes private- and public-sector jobs for unemployed parents and youth, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Way to Work … -
Press Release: 26,000 Illinois Jobs to Disappear on September 30 if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
As many as 26,000 workers in Illinois could lose their jobs this month if the Senate fails to extend federal funding that allowed the state to create Put Illinois to Work, a highly successful program that subsidizes private- and public-sector jobs for unemployed parents and youth, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Put … -
Walking Away From a Win-Win-Win
September 2, 2010
An emergency jobs program through which 37 states have provided subsidized jobs for nearly 250,000 otherwise unemployed parents and youth — helping families, businesses, and communities across America weather the recession — will end September 30 unless the Senate joins the House in voting to extend it. The TANF … -
Podcast: Upcoming Debate on Middle-Class and High-Income Tax Cuts
August 31, 2010
Chuck Marr, Director of Federal Tax Policy, discusses the debate about taxes that will take center stage when Congress returns after Labor Day.
Duration: 4:08
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Video Clip: CNN Europe cites the Center on State Budget Gap Data
August 31, 2010
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Podcast: State Budget Crisis Continues Despite Surpluses
August 24, 2010
Senior Fellow Liz McNichol discusses why some states have ended their fiscal year with budgets in the black even as the state budget crisis continues.
Duration: 3:35
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Social Security Does Not Need a “Bailout”
Updated August 24, 2010
In recent months, a few commentators have sounded an alarm about the recession’s impact on Social Security’s near-term prospects, which may lead some people to think that the program faces financial problems in the next several years. Fortunately, that is not the case. Social Security continues to run annual surpluses and … -
Podcast: Social Security Reduces Poverty
August 17, 2010
Senior Fellow Paul Van de Water discusses how Social Security helps to reduce poverty.
Duration: 2:26
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States Should Structure Insurance Exchanges to Minimize Adverse Selection
August 17, 2010
The health reform law (the Affordable Care Act) relies primarily on states to establish health insurance exchanges — marketplaces that provide affordable, good-quality coverage options to individuals and small businesses. But it gives states substantial flexibility in how they structure the exchanges. This paper recommends four steps … -
2010 Medicare Trustees’ Report Shows Benefits of Health Reform and Need for Its Successful Implementation
August 16, 2010
The 2010 annual report of Medicare’s trustees clearly demonstrates that the Affordable Care Act (or ACA, the recently enacted health reform legislation) has greatly improved the financial status of the Medicare program.[1] It also shows that successful implementation of the ACA is an essential first step toward slowing … -
What the 2010 Trustees’ Report Shows about Social Security
August 13, 2010
On August 5, the Social Security Board of Trustees issued the 70th annual report on the program’s financial and actuarial status. [1] The trustees’ report shows some mild deterioration in the program’s short-term outlook — a finding that was widely expected — and a mild improvement in its long-run … -
High-Income People Would Benefit Significantly From Extension of “Middle-Class” Tax Cuts
August 13, 2010
A fact generally overlooked in the debate over whether Congress should extend the high-income Bush tax cuts — i.e. those targeted exclusively at couples making over $250,000 and single individuals making over $200,000 — is that these households will still receive substantial tax cuts if Congress extends the so-called … -
Failing to Extend Fiscal Relief to States Will Create New Budget Gaps, Forcing Cuts and Job Loss in at Least 34 States
Revised August 13, 2010
If Congress does not extend the enhanced Medicaid matching funds in last year’s Recovery Act, most states will cut public services or raise taxes for the fiscal year that begins July 1 by even more than they are already planning – laying off tens of thousands more teachers and other public employees, cutting education funding more … -
Social Security Keeps 20 Million Americans Out of Poverty:
August 11, 2010
Social Security benefits play a vital role in reducing poverty. Without Social Security, according to the latest available Census data (for 2008), 19.8 million more Americans would be poor. Although most of those kept out of poverty by Social Security are elderly, nearly a third are under age 65, including 1.1 million children. (See Table 1.) … -
Podcast: What Seniors Should Know About the New Health Reform Law
August 10, 2010
Policy Analyst January Angeles discusses how the new health reform law strengthens Medicare and protects seniors. Duration: 4:17
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State-By-State Numbers: Critical Fiscal Relief at Stake In Tuesday’s House Vote
August 6, 2010
States stand to lose significant amounts of fiscal relief if legislation that the Senate approved yesterday, and the House is due to take up next week, fails to become law. The level of losses is shown on a state-by-state basis in the table below. Because of the long and deep recession, states have begun their third consecutive year … -
Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the July Employment Report
August 6, 2010
Today’s jobs report shows a labor market that is still not generating enough jobs to lower the unemployment rate. Unless job creation picks up dramatically, unemployment will likely remain elevated for some time to come, as it did in the previous two recessions, though at much higher rates this time (see chart). Creating fewer than … -
Podcast: The July Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
August 6, 2010
The jobs report for July is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone. Duration: 3:01
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Statement by Robert Greenstein: Social Security Doesn’t Face an Immediate Crisis, But Policymakers Should Act to Shore Up System
August 5, 2010
The trustees’ report on Social Security shows that the program does not face an immediate crisis and that — even in the long run — will still have substantial resources to pay benefits. Nevertheless, Congress needs to restore Social Security’s long-term solvency so that it … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director on the Medicare Trustees' Report
August 5, 2010
The new Medicare trustees report clearly demonstrates that the Affordable Care Act (or ACA, the recently enacted health reform legislation) has strengthened the financing of the Medicare program. It also shows that slowing the growth of health care costs will require substantial additional efforts. … -
Media Briefing: Understanding the Annual Reports of the Social Security and Medicare Trustees
August 5, 2010
Executive Director Robert Greenstein and Senior Fellow Paul Van de Water discuss the annual reports of the Social Security and Medicare trustees.
Duration: 15:46
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Extension of High-Income Tax Cuts Would Benefit Few Small Businesses; Jobs Tax Credit Would Be Better
August 3, 2010
Proponents of extending President Bush’s 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for people with incomes over $250,000 argue, in part, that allowing them to expire after 2010 would weaken the economy by hurting small businesses. In reality, however, extending the tax cuts would do little for small business because only the top 3 percent of people with … -
Podcast: Letting the High-Income Tax Cuts Expire
August 3, 2010
Chuck Marr, the Center’s Director of Federal Tax Policy, discusses why letting the high-income tax cuts expire is the proper response to the nation’s short and long-term challenges.
Duration: 4:23
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Health Reform Expands Medicaid Coverage For People with Disabilities
July 29, 2010
The new health reform law will cover over 30 million uninsured Americans, including 16 million low-income adults and children through Medicaid. A substantial number of the people who will gain Medicaid coverage under health reform have disabilities or chronic health care conditions. Medicaid is … -
“Grandfathering” Rules Strike a Balance for Consumers
July 29, 2010
The new health reform law includes a number of insurance reforms to aid consumers, several of which will take effect this fall. But plans that existed when the law was enacted on March 23, 2010 — known as “grandfathered” plans — aren’t required to comply with some of … -
July 30 Data Release Will Capture Only a Portion of the Jobs Created or Saved by the Recovery Act
July 29, 2010
On July 30, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board will post on its website, www.recovery.gov, data on jobs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This data release will capture only a portion of the jobs created and saved by the Act, due to ARRA’s limited reporting requirements. According to the … -
Media Briefing: Examining Tax Cuts For Those At The Top
July 28, 2010
Executive Director Robert Greenstein and former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Alan Blinder discuss whether policymakers should extend President Bush’s tax cuts, which are due to expire at the end of this year, for those at the top of the income scale.
Duration: 10:17
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Audio Highlights from the "Preserving Public Housing: Issues and Options" Policy Forum
July 28, 2010
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Urban Institute, and Abt Associates, Inc. sponsored "Preserving Public Housing: Issues and Options," a series of policy forums on the Obama Administration’s PETRA proposal. PETRA would institute new rules governing key rights of tenants in developments converted under the plan, including rights … -
Federal Spending Target of 21 Percent of GDP Not Appropriate Benchmark for Deficit-Reduction Efforts
July 28, 2010
The average level of federal spending over the years since 1970 — about 21 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) — does not provide a reasonable benchmark for the level of spending that will be necessary or appropriate in the future. The Heritage Foundation has proposed that, in developing its recommendations, the … -
Reducing Health Insurance Tax Credits Would Jeopardize Market Reforms and Cost Controls
July 27, 2010
To help reduce projected budget deficits, some have suggested paring back the tax credits that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 provides to help low- and moderate-income families afford health coverage through new state-based health insurance exchanges. Those deficit hawks recommending this course should set their sights … -
Podcast: Health Reform Law Improves Access to Preventive Care Services
July 27, 2010
Health Policy Analyst Sarah Lueck discusses the great news that millions of Americans will soon be able to receive preventive health care services free of charge.
Duration: 2:58
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Health Reform Changes to Medicare Advantage Strengthen Medicare and Protect Beneficiaries
July 27, 2010
The health reform law will significantly reduce the large overpayments Medicare makes to the private "Medicare Advantage" health plans that serve some beneficiaries. This will reduce premium costs for other Medicare enrollees and strengthen Medicare's overall finances. The law also includes stronger protections … -
Letting High-Income Tax Cuts Expire Is Proper Response to Nation’s Short- and Long-Term Challenges
July 26, 2010
Letting President Bush’s tax cuts for families making over $250,000 expire as scheduled at the end of 2010, while temporarily redirecting this money to more efficient ways of boosting the economy while it is weak, would help the nation address two key challenges: short-term economic weakness (with nearly one in ten … -
Going, Going, Almost Gone: Job-Creating TANF Emergency Fund Set to Expire
July 26, 2010
The subsidized jobs programs that states have created through the TANF Emergency Fund are a bright spot in an economy that is producing new jobs at a very slow pace, but some of these programs have already stopped taking applications in anticipation of the fund’s September 30 expiration, and … -
Fiscal Commission Should Not Focus On Gross Debt
July 21, 2010
A call by several members of the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform for the commission to focus on the federal government’s gross debt, rather than debt held by the public, is misguided and could inhibit efforts to address the nation’s long-term fiscal challenges. Debt held by the public … -
Podcast: The Need for Extending the TANF Emergency Fund
July 20, 2010
Dr. LaDonna Pavetti, Director of the Center’s Welfare Reform and Income Support Division, discusses how states are using the TANF Emergency Fund to create jobs – and the need for extending the program.
Duration: 4:35
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, as the Senate Nears Approval of Unemployment Insurance
July 20, 2010
The Senate’s move today toward extending the Recovery Act’s extra weeks of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed will provide much-needed help to almost 3 million unemployed workers and a boost to the economy, since those workers will spend their benefits quickly … -
Video Clip: RT TV Interviews Arloc Sherman on the Income Gap Between the Rich and the Poor
July 14, 2010
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Using TANF Emergency Funds to Help Prevent and Address Family Homelessness
July 13, 2010
At least 15 states are using federal stimulus dollars provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund to assist the growing number of needy families that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless because of the recession. The number of homeless families has increased for each of the last two years and the … -
Podcast: New Fiscal Year Brings More Tough Times for States
July 13, 2010
Policy Analyst Phil Oliff discusses what the new fiscal year brings for states.
Duration: 2:56
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Video Clip: CNN cites the Center on the Income Gap Increase Over the Last Three Decades
July 9, 2010
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The Ryan Budget's Radical Priorities
Revised July 7, 2010
I. Summary The Roadmap for America’s Future, which Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) — the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee — released in late January, calls for radical policy changes that would result in a massive transfer of resources from the broad majority of Americans to the nation’s … -
Childless Adults Who Become Eligible for Medicaid in 2014 Should Receive Standard Benefits Package
July 6, 2010
Among those who will qualify for Medicaid when the program is expanded nationwide to 133 percent of the poverty line in 2014 are poor and low-income adults who do not have a disability or live with an eligible child, a group that is uninsured at higher rates and has greater health care needs than other uninsured groups. The health reform law … -
Podcast: Property Taxes
July 6, 2010
Senior Advisor Iris Lav discusses property taxes, and good and bad ways to address concerns about rising property tax bills.
Duration: 3:40
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the June Employment Report
July 2, 2010
The good news in today’s jobs report is that the private sector continued adding jobs in June — though, as expected, the economy lost jobs overall due to the scheduled reduction in temporary census jobs (see chart). The bad news is that private sector job creation must be much … -
Podcast: The June Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
July 2, 2010
The jobs report for June is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone. Duration: 2:48
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Podcast: Testimony of Robert Greenstein before the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
June 30, 2010
Robert Greenstein, the Center’s Executive Director, discusses the need to be careful in addressing budget deficit in a testimony before the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform on June 30th, 2010.
Duration: 6:46
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Testimony of Robert Greenstein, Executive Director and Jim Horney, Director of Federal Fiscal Policy before the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
June 30, 2010
Members of the Commission, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak to you today. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that focuses both on fiscal policy and on programs and policies of particular importance to low- and moderate-income … -
Unlimited Estate Tax Exemption For Farm Estates Is Unnecessary and Likely Harmful
June 29, 2010
Proponents of repealing the estate tax have made farmers, along with small business, the face of their cause, driving some policymakers to push for special preferences for farms in estate tax law. One of the most radical of these proposed changes is an unlimited estate tax exemption for farmland, recently introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson … -
New Fiscal Year Brings More Grief for State Budgets, Putting Economic Recovery at Risk
June 29, 2010
Dismal state revenue collections caused by the severe recession are setting the stage for a new round of state budget cuts as fiscal year 2011 begins in most states on July 1. The states’ cumulative budget shortfall will likely reach $140 billion in the coming year, the largest shortfall yet in a string of huge annual gaps that date back … -
Podcast: New Health Insurance Option for Young Adults
June 29, 2010
Health Policy Analyst Sarah Lueck discusses a provision in the new health reform law that will start helping young adults this fall. Duration: 3:04
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Critics Still Wrong on What’s Driving Deficits in Coming Years
Updated June 28, 2010
The data in this analysis has been updated, but this version has a detailed critique of a misleading report by the Heritage Foundation that places blame for the deficits on rapid growth in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and interest costs, and dismisses the significance of weak revenues in general and the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts in particular. To view the … -
Income Gaps Between Very Rich and Everyone Else More Than Tripled In Last Three Decades, New Data Show
June 25, 2010
The gaps in after-tax income between the richest 1 percent of Americans and the middle and poorest fifths of the country more than tripled between 1979 and 2007 (the period for which these data are available), according to data the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued last week. Taken together with prior research, the new … -
What States and the Economy Lost When the Senate Jobs Bill Failed
Updated June 24, 2010
The Senate’s failure to pass its version of jobs legislation, which would have extended federal assistance to states, will force the states – which are struggling with an unprecedented drop in revenues due to the recession – to make even deeper spending cuts and raise taxes even … -
Podcast: Unemployment Insurance
June 22, 2010
Unemployment Insurance, a critical program that helps workers who lose their jobs and strengthens the economy, is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 3:27
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Medicaid Expansion in Health Reform Not Likely to “Crowd Out” Private Insurance
June 22, 2010
Contrary to claims by some critics, the Medicaid expansion in the new health reform law will overwhelmingly provide coverage to people who otherwise would be uninsured, rather than shift people who already have private coverage to Medicaid. Under the new law, beginning in 2014 Medicaid will cover non-elderly individuals with incomes … -
Using TANF Emergency Funds to Provide Food Assistance to Struggling Families
June 18, 2010
States can use federal stimulus dollars provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund to provide emergency food assistance to needy families through food banks, agencies, or other distribution sites, or to supplement USDA’s Summer Food Service Programs. This additional help is critically needed: the … -
Health Reform Is a Good Deal for States
Revised June 18, 2010
Contrary to claims that the health reform law’s Medicaid expansion will place an unaffordable burden on states, the federal government will shoulder nearly all of the cost of the expansion, which will cover 16 million low-income children and adults while raising state Medicaid spending by just 1.25 percent compared to … -
Thune Response to CBPP Report Misses Mark
June 17, 2010
We reported on June 15[1] that Senator John Thune’s proposal to cut $140.6 billion in budget authority from discretionary (i.e., non-entitlement) programs in fiscal year 2010 would shut down much of the federal government for the last two and a half months of the fiscal year (which ends September 30). Senator Thune said we are wrong … -
Enrolling All Children in a Household for Free School Meals
June 16, 2010
A new federal policy will make it easier for school districts to enroll certain low-income children for free school meals. Under the revised policy, all children in a household are eligible for free school meals if anyone in the household is receiving assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance … -
Thune Amendment Would Shut Down Much of the Federal Government for Final Months of Fiscal Year
June 15, 2010
Senator John Thune has proposed legislation with an obvious surface appeal to those concerned about federal spending and deficits — to cancel 5 percent of appropriated funds for fiscal year 2010, as well as tens of billions of dollars of unspent funds from last year’s Recovery Act and other legislation. But his legislation would … -
Podcast: New Ingredients Raising Costs for “WIC” Program
June 15, 2010
Zoë Neuberger, Senior Policy Analyst, discusses the federal food and nutrition program for women, infants and children known as WIC, and the increase in the program’s costs because manufacturers are adding expensive but unproven ingredients to formula and other foods that the program provides.
Duration: 4:09
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Over 3 Million Low-Income Children in Rural Areas Face Cut in Child Tax Credit if Recovery Act Improvement Expires
June 10, 2010
Issued Jointly With Nearly 3.3 million low-income children with working parents in rural areas will lose important tax benefits if Congress does not extend the Child Tax Credit improvements that the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided for low-income families, as President Obama has proposed. These … -
Young Adults Gain New Coverage Option
June 9, 2010
Under the health reform law, young adults up to their 26th birthday can obtain health coverage through their parents’ health insurance plans. This marks an important shift from the rules in effect now, under which young adults usually lose access to their parents’ coverage once they … -
Compromise Provision to Narrow “Carried Interest” Tax Loophole Should Not Be Weakened Further
June 9, 2010
A provision in the jobs bill that the House passed on May 28 would partially close a tax loophole that allows investment fund managers to pay taxes on a large part of their income — their “carried interest” — at the 15 percent capital gains tax rate rather than at normal income tax rates of … -
Property Tax Cap Wouldn’t Improve New Jersey Policies
June 8, 2010
A report released by the Manhattan Institute on May 24 compares taxes, education spending, and standardized tests in Massachusetts and New Jersey, arguing that a property tax cap has reduced property taxes and school spending in Massachusetts without compromising student performance — and implies that a cap would do the same in New … -
Media Briefing: Property Tax Cap Wouldn’t Improve New Jersey Policies
June 8, 2010
Suggestions that Massachusetts’ experience under a property tax cap shows New Jersey could impose a similar cap without harming education and other public services are misleading. Senior advisor Iris Lav discusses why a property tax cap in New Jersey is likely to end up reducing essential … -
Podcast: The Recovery Act is Working
June 8, 2010
The latest information showing that the Recovery Act is creating jobs and the need to extend more aid to states is discussed by Senior Policy Analyst, Michael Leachman.
Duration: 3:29
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Press Release: Claimed Benefits of Massachusetts-Style Property Tax Cap Overblown, New Study Shows
June 8, 2010
Suggestions that Massachusetts’ experience under a property tax cap shows New Jersey could impose a similar cap without harming education and other public services are misleading, according to a new analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. A recent Manhattan Institute report … -
Podcast: The May Employment Report and What It Means For the Economy
June 4, 2010
The jobs report for May is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone. Duration: 2:33
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the May Employment Report
June 4, 2010
Today’s jobs report shows a labor market that has turned the corner and is creating jobs but one with a long way to go toward a full recovery from the devastating job losses of 2008-09. The percentage of the population with a job is generally moving in the right direction but remains at a … -
WIC Food Package Should Be Based on Science:
June 4, 2010
Several foods offered through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are now sold in higher-priced versions containing “functional ingredients” that manufacturers claim confer health and developmental benefits. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures that these ingredients … -
Statement: Nicholas Johnson, Director, State Fiscal Project, on NGA and NASBO's “Fiscal Survey of the States”
June 3, 2010
Today’s “Fiscal Survey of States” from the National Governors Association (NGA) and the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) underscores the urgent need for Congress to extend fiscal relief to states in the pending jobs legislation. Without further assistance, … -
Podcast: How the Health Reform Law Reduces the Deficit, Part 2
June 1, 2010
Paul Van de Water, a Senior Fellow at the Center, discusses the sources of revenue in the new health reform law. Duration: 4:30 -
Recommendation That President’s Fiscal Commission Focus on Gross Debt Is Misguided
May 27, 2010
At a May 26 presentation before the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, University of Maryland professor Carmen M. Reinhart asserted that the gross debt of the government of the United States — rather than debt held by the public — is what matters, and a number of commission members agreed with her. … -
New CBO Report Finds Recovery Act has Preserved or Created up to 2.8 Million Jobs
May 26, 2010
View the most recent version of this report: New CBO Report Finds Hundreds of Thousands of People Still Owe Their Jobs to the Recovery Act Updated May 29, 2012 A new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimates that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) had preserved or created between 1.2 million and 2.8 million jobs as … -
Sessions-McCaskill Proposal to Establish Discretionary Funding Limits Would Impose Steep Cuts on Domestic Programs
May 25, 2010
A proposal by Senators Jeff Sessions and Claire McCaskill to establish binding limits on discretionary appropriations for the next three years, which they are offering as an amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill now on the Senate floor, would necessitate much larger cuts in nondefense discretionary programs than many policymakers … -
Podcast: How the Health Reform Law Reduces the Deficit, Part 1
May 25, 2010
Paul Van de Water, a Senior Fellow at the Center, discusses how the health reform law saves money for the federal government. Duration: 3:53
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Hidden Consequences: Lessons From Massachusetts for States Considering a Property Tax Cap
Revised May 25, 2010
Executive Summary Advocates of reducing property taxes often cite Proposition 2 ½, the strict property tax cap Massachusetts adopted in 1980, as a model for reform. Most recently, New Jersey Governor Christie has proposed a cap similar to Proposition 2 ½, which limits property tax revenues in Massachusetts to 2.5 … -
Premature End of Federal Assistance to States Threatens Education Reforms and Jobs
Updated May 25, 2010
Recovery Act assistance to states will largely run out this year, which could not only eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs and undermine basic education services but also impede education reform efforts. As Education Secretary Duncan recently told Congress, “We are gravely concerned that the kind of state and local budget … -
How Low-Income Consumers Would Fare in the Kerry-Lieberman Climate-Change Bill
May 24, 2010
The American Power Act, which Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) released in draft form on May 12, includes important provisions to help ensure that the legislation’s measures limiting greenhouse-gas emissions do not increase hardship by making poor families poorer or pushing more people into poverty. Like the … -
Stalled Proposal to Cut Estate Tax Further Is Deeply Flawed and Should Not Be Revived
Revised May 21, 2010
A proposal that several senators were developing — before negotiations stalled this week — to cut the estate tax beyond the generous parameters in place in 2009 was deeply flawed, relying on two budget gimmicks to mask its unaffordable cost. “The details [of the proposal] are pretty well resolved,” the leading … -
Stalled Estate Tax Proposal Could Threaten State Revenues that Support Education, Public Safety, and Other Key Services
May 20, 2010
A provision that several senators were reportedly considering for a now-stalled estate tax proposal could squeeze state revenues that support education, public safety, and other vital services to help cut taxes on the estates of the wealthiest one-quarter of 1 percent of Americans. The proposal, which several Senators (including Jon Kyl, Max … -
“YouCut” Vote Mischaracterizes TANF Emergency Fund
May 20, 2010
The description of the TANF Emergency Fund on the House Republicans’ “YouCut” website is fundamentally inaccurate, so the vote by respondents to eliminate the program is essentially meaningless. Despite what the website suggests, the Fund reflects the main tenets that federal … -
Budgetary Concerns Should Not Be An Obstacle to Passing the New Jobs Bill
Revised May 20, 2010
Congress is about to take up a jobs bill that will provide a needed boost to the economic recovery and help people still struggling to find work in a difficult labor market. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin today released a summary of … -
Podcast: Climate Change Legislation and Low-Income Households
May 18, 2010
The Center’s Chief Economist, Chad Stone, discusses how the new Kerry-Lieberman climate change legislation will affect low-income households.
Duration: 3:29
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Understanding the CMS Actuary’s Report on Health Reform
May 17, 2010
The analysis of the health reform legislation prepared by the chief actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been widely misrepresented and misunderstood.[1] This brief paper describes some of that report’s key findings and clears up some of the most common misunderstandings. Does the actuary estimate that … -
Employer Responsibility in Health Reform
Revised May 14, 2010
The recent health reform legislation requires larger employers to share the responsibility for assuring that their employees have health coverage. [1] Large firms that employ full-time workers who obtain subsidized health insurance in the new health insurance exchanges — rather than employer-sponsored coverage — will be required … -
“SEVRA” Housing Voucher Reform Bill Would Update and Streamline Program
Revised May 13, 2010
The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA), which the House Financial Services Committee approved in July 2009, contains a series of important, carefully crafted measures to strengthen the housing voucher program. Most significantly, it would help and encourage state and local housing agencies to assist more needy families … -
Podcast: Health Reform is a Good Deal for States
May 11, 2010
Policy Analyst, January Angeles, discusses how the Medicaid expansion in the new health reform law is a good deal for states. Duration: 3:58
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How Health Reform Helps Reduce the Deficit
May 10, 2010
The new health reform law will extend coverage to over 30 million uninsured Americans and provide important consumer protections to tens of millions of insured Americans whose coverage may have critical gaps. These coverage expansions will be more than paid for by specific reductions in spending for Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal … -
Podcast: The April Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
May 7, 2010
The jobs report for April is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 3:23
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the April Employment Report
May 7, 2010
Today’s jobs report contains much encouraging news, but it also reminds us that the economic recovery will have to gather more strength to bring down the unemployment rate. While the economy has been growing since the middle of last year and employers are beginning to add jobs, the … -
Podcast: Health Reform Myths & Realities, Part 5
May 7, 2010
Jim Horney, Director of Federal Fiscal Policy, discusses the false claim that the law doesn’t slow health costs because its coverage expansions will increase total national spending on health care. Duration: 2:14
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Ryan’s Response to Center’s Analysis of “Roadmap” Is Off Base
Revised May 6, 2010
We are quite disappointed that, in responding to our analysis[1] of his budget plan, Rep. Paul Ryan accuses[2] the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities of “partisan demagoguery” as well as “factual errors and misleading statements.” Quite the contrary, we applied the same rigorous analytical process to Rep. Ryan’s Roadmap for America’s … -
Podcast: State Budget Cuts Put Education Reforms at Risk
May 4, 2010
Nick Johnson, Director of the Center’s State Fiscal Project, discusses the risk that state budget problems will derail education reform. Duration: 4:58
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Key Health Insurance Market Reforms Not Achievable Without an Individual Mandate
Updated May 4, 2010
Some opponents of health reform argue that the new law’s individual mandate — the requirement that individuals must have health coverage or face a penalty — should be repealed but the law’s most popular insurance market reforms kept in place. These reforms will bar insurers from denying coverage to … -
TANF Emergency Fund Extension Has Wide Support
May 3, 2010
With the TANF Emergency Fund slated to expire on September 30, public officials and private experts are calling for its extension as part of jobs legislation because it is an important tool to help put Americans back to work. These key individuals include: Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics; Karen Lee, President … -
Some States Scaling Back Tax Credits for Low-Income Families
Revised May 3, 2010
Facing large budget shortfalls, a small number of states are scaling back tax credits for low-income working families, which not only harms some of the families hardest hit by the recession but also weakens the economy by lowering overall demand. States have other budget-balancing strategies that are better for both vulnerable … -
Podcast: Health Reform Myths & Realities, Part 4
April 30, 2010
Jim Horney, Director of Federal Fiscal Policy, discusses the false claim that the new health reform law’s cost estimate should include the cost of preventing a cut in the amount that Medicare pays doctors.
Duration: 2:51
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The Impact of State Income Taxes on Low-Income Families in 2009
April 29, 2010
State income taxes affect working-poor families in different ways. Some states’ tax codes help working-poor families lift themselves out of poverty. Others push them deeper into poverty. An analysis of state income tax systems for the 2009 tax year shows that: In 13 of the 42 states that levy income taxes, two-parent families of … -
Press Release: State Income Taxes Push Many Working-Poor Families Deeper Into Poverty
April 29, 2010
Thirteen states taxed working-poor families deeper into poverty last year, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. In some of those states, poor families faced several hundred dollars in state income taxes — a significant amount for a family struggling to … -
Video Highlights from the Peter Peterson Foundation Event on Budget and Deficits
April 28, 2010
Suggesting a stronger move to fiscal conservatism, economic officials gathered at the first-ever National Fiscal Summit to advance the national dialogue on avoiding another economic crisis. Fmr. Pres. Clinton and the co-chairmen of the National Debt Commission were the morning keynote speakers. The summit coincides with the recent bipartisan fiscal commission meeting and Congress' current work on finance overhaul legislation.
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Budget Cuts or Tax Increases at the State Level
Updated April 28, 2010
The recent, unusually long and deep recession is making it difficult for states to maintain balanced budgets, as nearly all of them are required to do by law. Almost every state has reduced spending and 33 also have raised revenue to bring their budgets into balance. Additional cuts and revenue measures are being proposed for the next fiscal year. … -
Podcast: Transforming Rental Assistance
April 27, 2010
Will Fischer, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Center, discusses the President’s plan to preserve affordable housing. Duration: 4:22
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Education, Health, Public Safety, and Infrastructure Would Decline Under SJR 2420’s Proposed TABOR Limit
April 26, 2010
The Florida legislature is considering a TABOR proposal, SJR 2420, to limit state revenue growth by the combined rate of inflation and population growth — the adoption of which would undermine Florida’s ability to meet the needs of its residents and invest in the future. [1] If the bill passes the legislature, the measure would go … -
Video Highlights from the Peter Peterson Foundation Event on Budget and Deficits
April 24, 2010
Suggesting a stronger move to fiscal conservatism, economic officials gathered at the first-ever National Fiscal Summit to advance the national dialogue on avoiding another economic crisis. Fmr. Pres. Clinton and the co-chairmen of the National Debt Commission were the morning keynote speakers. The … -
Podcast: Health Reform Myths & Realities, Part 3
April 23, 2010
Jim Horney discusses the false claim that the health reform law’s Medicare savings are meaningless.
Duration: 3:12
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The Sustainable Growth Rate Formula and Health Reform
April 21, 2010
Some critics of the new health reform law contend that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate understates the law’s true cost because the law doesn’t fix Medicare’s flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment formula for physicians. Since Congress is certain to enact a fix, these critics contend, its cost … -
No Need to Wait Until 2014: States Can Cover Low-Income Adults in Medicaid Now
April 20, 2010
The new health reform law (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or PPACA) includes a new minimum Medicaid eligibility standard that will allow millions of uninsured low-income adults to qualify for Medicaid. The new standard, which takes effect in January 2014, provides coverage for all otherwise eligible individuals with incomes … -
Podcast: Health Reform Myths & Realities, Part 2
April 20, 2010
The false claim that the health reform law uses revenues from Social Security and premiums from a new long-term care insurance program to offset the cost of health reform is discussed by Jim Horney, Director of Federal Fiscal Policy.
Duration: 3:10
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New Citizenship Documentation Option for Medicaid and Chip Is Up and Running
April 20, 2010
A key provision of the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) is helping to reduce the detrimental effects of a Medicaid citizenship documentation requirement enacted in 2006 that has caused many eligible citizen children, pregnant women, and parents to lose or be denied health coverage. The CHIPRA provision gives … -
Sessions-McCaskill Amendment to Establish Discretionary Funding Limits Would Impose Severe Cuts on Domestic Programs
Revised April 19, 2010
We have since analyzed a later Sessions-McCaskill proposal. To view that analysis, click here. A proposal by Senators Jeff Sessions and Claire McCaskill to establish binding limits on discretionary appropriations for the next three years would necessitate cuts in nondefense discretionary programs that would total nearly $30 billion in fiscal year 2011 … -
CLASS: A New Voluntary Long-Term Care Insurance Program
April 16, 2010
The new health reform law establishes a federal, voluntary long-term care insurance program, known as Community Living Assistance Services and Supports, or CLASS.[1] This brief paper describes the need for CLASS, explains its benefits and financing, and corrects some misconceptions about the program's effect on the federal budget. Why is … -
Podcast: Health Reform Myths & Realities, Part 1
April 15, 2010
The false claim that the health reform law hides the true cost of health reform by collecting its new revenues in the early years and delaying spending until later years is discussed by Jim Horney, Director of Federal Fiscal Policy.
Duration: 2:45
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Podcast: Federal Income Taxes at Historic Low
April 15, 2010
Chuck Marr, the Center’s Director of Federal Tax Policy, discusses how the levels of federal income taxes on middle-income families have changed over time.
Duration: 4:41
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Failure to Renew Federal Benefits Changes the Map for State Unemployment Insurance Coverage
April 14, 2010
For updated data see: Policy Basics: How Many Weeks of Unemployment Compensation Are Available? Congress’s failure to extend the measures providing extra weeks of unemployment insurance (UI) and subsidized COBRA health insurance coverage for unemployed workers – which President Obama and Congress enacted in the 2009 American … -
Podcast: Tax Trends for the Top 400 Taxpayers
April 13, 2010
Trends in income and taxes for the highest-income taxpayers is discussed by Chuck Marr, Director of Federal Tax Policy at the Center.
Duration: 4:08
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Congress Should Act Quickly to Extend UI/COBRA Benefits Through the End of This Year
April 12, 2010
The long-term unemployment rate — the percentage of people in the work force who have been out of work for over half a year and are still looking for a job — reached an unprecedented 4.3 percent of the labor force in March (see the chart). Yet Congress has allowed the Recovery Act measures that provide additional weeks of … -
Efforts to Nullify Health Reform Likely to Fail, But Could Interfere With Law’s Implementation
April 7, 2010
The new health care reform law, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA),[1] requires most people to have health coverage or face a penalty. This requirement, most often referred to as an individual mandate, is an essential component of the new law. Without it, reforming insurance markets to require … -
President’s Budget Would Strengthen Housing Voucher Program
April 6, 2010
Executive Summary In a budget that would freeze overall funding for non-security discretionary (i.e., non-entitlement) programs, the Administration has made the renewal of “Section 8” Housing Choice vouchers a priority. The President’s budget requests $17.1 billion to renew vouchers in 2011, an increase of $875 million above … -
Podcast: Where Do Our Federal Tax Dollars Go?
April 6, 2010
Chuck Marr, the Center’s Director of Federal Tax Policy, discusses how our federal tax dollars are spent. Duration: 4:59
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Extending the TANF Emergency Fund Would Create and Preserve Jobs Quickly and Efficiently
Updated April 6, 2010
The TANF Emergency Fund created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has enabled states to create subsidized jobs for TANF recipients and other low-income unemployed individuals and to bolster overall consumer demand by helping states meet the growing need for basic assistance among very poor families … -
Obama Budget Reduces Deficit by $1.3 Trillion over Next Decade Compared to Current Policies
April 5, 2010
Despite claims that President Obama’s policies will generate big increases in deficits, his 2011 budget would actually reduce deficits by about $1.3 trillion over ten years, based on a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate of his budget and a realistic assessment of what deficits would be if policymakers continued to follow current … -
Podcast: The March Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
April 2, 2010
The jobs report for March is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 2:36
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the March Employment Report
April 2, 2010
Today’s jobs report provides further evidence that the labor market has stabilized after experiencing its most severe jobs decline since the 1930s. Job losses slowed dramatically after President Obama and Congress enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February … -
High-Income Tax Cuts Should Expire on Schedule
April 1, 2010
Allowing the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for couples making over $250,000 (and singles over $200,000) to expire on schedule on December 31 represents the best course of action for the budget and the economy. Extending those tax cuts for one or two years, as some have proposed, would be highly ill-advised. It would make it much more likely that … -
Tax Foundation Figures Do Not Represent Typical Households’ Taxes
March 30, 2010
This report has been updated. Click here for the updated analysis. Executive Summary Each year, the Tax Foundation releases a report projecting “Tax Freedom Day,” which it describes as the day when Americans will have “earned enough money to pay this year’s tax obligations at the federal, state, and local levels.”[1] The Tax … -
Podcast: Avoiding Their Share: The Controversy over Amazon and Online Sales Taxes
March 30, 2010
Michael Mazerov, senior fellow with the Center’s State Fiscal Project, discusses how internet retailer Amazon is going to extremes to avoid collecting sales tax from its customers.
Duration: 5:19
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Protecting the Poor while Fighting Global Warming, By Chad Stone, Chief Economist, and Hannah Shaw
March 29, 2010
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Media Briefing: Debunking Claims That Health Reform Will Not Reduce the Deficit
March 29, 2010
Robert Greenstein, and former senior Congressional Budget Office (CBO) officials James Horney and Paul Van de Water, discuss claims that the health reform legislation will not reduce the deficit because of gimmicks in it – despite an official CBO estimate to the contrary. Robert Reischauer, former CBO Director and now President of the Urban Institute, also joins the briefing.
Duration: 20:42
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Holding the Line on Medicaid and CHIP
March 26, 2010
Issued Jointly With The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA; Public Law 111-148), signed into law on March 23, 2010, requires that states maintain their current eligibility standards for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These maintenance-of-effort (MOE) requirements apply to adults … -
Health Reform Will Reduce the Deficit
March 25, 2010
Despite an official estimate by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to the contrary, some critics of the new health reform legislation — such as Rep. Paul Ryan and former CBO director and McCain campaign adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin — charge that it will not reduce federal budget deficits because it relies on budgetary gimmicks … -
Testimony: Robert Greenstein Executive Director, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, on the Need to Implement a Balanced Approach to Addressing the Long-Term Budget Deficits
March 23, 2010
I appreciate the invitation to appear before you today. I am Robert Greenstein, executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonprofit policy institute that conducts research and analysis on fiscal policy matters and an array of federal and state programs and policies. My testimony today makes three major … -
Podcast: Testimony of Robert Greenstein on Addressing Long-Term Deficits
March 23, 2010
Executive Director Robert Greenstein discusses the need to implement a balanced approach in addressing the long-term budget deficit in a testimony before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures.
Duration: 7:49
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The Food Stamp Dependent Care Deduction
March 23, 2010
The Food Stamp Program targets benefits according to need. It does this by limiting eligibility to low-income households and by assessing the ability of individual households to purchase food. Households can deduct certain critical expenses from their income. This results in higher benefits, reflecting the fact that these households have … -
Extending TANF Emergency Fund Would Help Small Businesses Recover from Recession
March 23, 2010
A provision now added to the small business jobs bill the House is expected to vote on later this week would extend the TANF Emergency Fund, which is set to expire September 30. This provision would help create and preserve jobs, support small businesses, and strengthen overall demand. [1] The Emergency Fund, included in last … -
Podcast: States Can’t Stimulate Their Economies By Cutting Taxes
March 23, 2010
The myth that cutting taxes can stimulate a state’s economy is discussed by Senior Advisor, Iris Lav. Duration: 4:02
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Student Loan Reform in Health Bill Would Save More Than $60 Billion and Invest in Access to College
March 19, 2010
The health reform legislation heading for a vote in Congress within the next few days includes major reforms to the student loan system that would save more than $60 billion over ten years and invest more in educational opportunity for millions of aspiring students. Under the proposal, the federal government — which now pays banks … -
Health Reform Package Represents Historic Chance to Expand Coverage, Improve Insurance Markets, Slow Cost Growth, and Reduce Deficits
March 19, 2010
The health reform legislation now before Congress represents a historic opportunity to make significant progress in three critical areas: expanding the availability and affordability of health coverage, instituting much-needed improvements to the flawed health insurance marketplace, and taking steps to slow the relentless growth in health … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on the Congressional Leadership's New Health Reform Legislation
March 19, 2010
The congressional leadership’s new health reform legislation builds upon the Senate-passed bill to extend insurance coverage to 32 million Americans while reducing the federal budget deficit over both the near and long term. By making critical improvements in the Senate bill, many of which were proposed by President Obama, the new measure covers more people and … -
Private Health Coverage Unstable for Middle Class
March 18, 2010
In about one-quarter of middle-income families with private health coverage, a family member lost coverage at some point between 2004 and 2007, analysis of Census Bureau survey data reveals. Nearly all of these family members ended up uninsured, often for several months. While the survey only extends through 2007, these problems have almost certainly worsened due to … -
Obama Budget Includes Major Plan to Preserve Needed Affordable Housing
March 16, 2010
The President’s $350 million Transforming Rental Assistance (TRA) initiative, outlined in his fiscal 2011 budget, would enable local housing agencies and private owners to more easily preserve affordable housing, in part by giving them more adequate and sustainable funding to operate it. As a result, TRA would help preserve an estimated … -
Podcast: Reconciliation and Health Reform
March 16, 2010
A legislative tool called “reconciliation” and its role in health reform are discussed by a Senior Fellow at the Center, Paul Van de Water.
Duration: 4:08
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A Formula for Decline: Lessons from Colorado for States Considering TABOR
Updated March 15, 2010
Colorado’s so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR, has contributed to a significant decline in that state’s public services. This decline has serious implications not only for the more than 5 million residents of Colorado, but also for the many millions of residents of other states in which TABOR-like measures are being … -
Video: Fox Business Interviews Nicholas Johnson on the State Fiscal Crisis
March 11, 2010
Nicholas Johnson weighs in on tax hikes in response to the recession on Fox Business News.
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Media Briefing: The Ryan Budget’s Radical Priorities
March 10, 2010
Robert Greenstein and Paul Van de Water discuss the radical priorities in Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget proposal in a media call on March 10, 2010.
Duration: 21:34
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Statement: Michael Mazerov, Senior Fellow, on Amazon's Cancellation of Its Colorado Affiliate Program
March 9, 2010
Last month, Colorado enacted a law that requires Amazon.com and other Internet retailers that do not collect and remit Colorado sales tax on what they sell in the state to tell their Colorado customers that they may owe sales tax on their purchases, and also to tell the state each year the total … -
Podcast: The Recovery Act Creates Jobs and Boosts Economy
March 9, 2010
The latest information showing that the Recovery Act is creating jobs and boosting the economy is discussed by Senior Policy Analyst Michael Leachman. Duration: 3:12
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State Tax Changes in Response to the Recession
March 8, 2010
The national recession has had such a devastating effect on state finances that states took in $87 billion less in tax revenue from October 2008 through September 2009 than they collected in the previous 12 months. This 11 percent decline, the steepest on record, resulted from the impact on tax collections of lost jobs, reduced wages, and … -
Governors’ New Budgets Indicate Loss of Many Jobs if Federal Aid Expires
Updated March 8, 2010
States face continued major budget problems, because of the steepest-ever decline in state revenues and the end of most federal Recovery Act assistance halfway through their coming fiscal year. As a result, governors are proposing a new round of deep budget cuts that would increase unemployment and threaten the fragile economic recovery. Without further federal aid, … -
Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the February Employment Report
March 5, 2010
Today’s jobs report shows that job losses continued at a moderate pace in February and unemployment remained unchanged at 9.7 percent. While noting that these numbers may include the impacts on hiring and hours worked of the severe winter weather that paralyzed major Northeastern cities in February, the Labor Department said that it could not quantify the impact.… -
Podcast: The February Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
March 5, 2010
The jobs report for February is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 2:48
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Changes in Medicare Tax on High-Income People Represent Sound Additions to Health Reform
March 4, 2010
The President’s health reform plan would raise the Medicare tax rate for single filers with incomes over $200,000 and married filers with incomes over $250,000 — a provision that was included in the Senate-passed health bill — and also would extend this tax to the unearned income these affluent households receive such as income from capital gains, … -
Podcast: Zoë Neuberger Testimony on the Hunger Free Schools Act
March 4, 2010
Senior Policy Analyst, Zoë Neuberger, discusses the Hunger Free Schools Act before the House of Representative Subcommittee on Agriculture, at a hearing titled “Child Nutrition” on Thursday, March 4, 2010.
Duration: 6:06
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Testimony: Zoë Neuberger on the Hunger Free Schools Act
March 4, 2010
Millions of American school children rely upon the federal nutrition programs as a basic support even during the best of economies, but with unemployment hovering near 10 percent and long-term unemployment at record levels, children need them more than ever to help them grow and thrive. The reauthorization of the child nutrition programs offers an important … -
Recession Threatens State Health Care Programs
March 4, 2010
In considering “jobs legislation” in the weeks ahead, Congress will decide whether to extend the temporary increase in federal support for state Medicaid programs that last year’s economic recovery legislation provided. Failure to do so would lead to deeper state budget cuts that cost substantial numbers of jobs, as well as … -
Don't Let the Ideal Prevent the Necessary
March 3, 2010
Federal policymakers face two daunting challenges this year with regard to economic and fiscal policy. First, they must enact legislation that will help sustain and accelerate the nascent economic recovery and create jobs more quickly than would occur otherwise. Second, they must show that they are serious about putting the budget on a … -
Testimony: Robert Tannenwald, Senior Fellow, on Massachusetts' Film Tax Credits
March 3, 2010
Chairman Kaufman, Chairman Downing, and other members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to address you this morning. For the record, I am a Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a non-partisan research and policy institute which works at the federal and state … -
Using Reconciliation Process to Enact Health Reform Would Be Fully Consistent With Past Practice
Updated March 3, 2010
The President and Democratic congressional leaders have determined that the best way to enact comprehensive health reform in the face of solid Republican opposition is to use the congressional reconciliation process to make a limited number of changes to the health reform bill that the Senate passed in December.[1] Despite charges by congressional Republicans and … -
Podcast: The Hunger Free Schools Act
March 2, 2010
Legislation that can reduce child hunger in the country is discussed by Senior Policy Analyst for Food Assistance, Zoë Neuberger.
Duration: 4:33
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The Zero-Sum Game: States Cannot Stimulate Their Economies by Cutting Taxes
March 2, 2010
Policymakers in a number of states are considering proposals to cut taxes and institute job-creation tax credits. While state policymakers are understandably eager to do something to improve their economies, such measures generally will not increase economic growth. State balanced-budget requirements prevent states from stimulating their … -
Additional Federal Fiscal Relief Needed to Help States Address Recession’s Impact
Updated March 1, 2010
States face a serious fiscal problem that could force them to institute additional deep budget cuts and tax increases in 2010, weakening the fragile economic recovery and harming vulnerable children, seniors, and people with disabilities, among others. The federal assistance that states received for their Medicaid programs … -
With 100,000 Newly Created Subsidized Jobs at Stake, It’s Critical to Extend and Expand TANF Emergency Fund as Part of New Jobs Bill
February 26, 2010
The Senate should include President Obama’s proposal to extend for one year and modestly expand the TANF Emergency Fund in the bill it is crafting to respond to historically high unemployment and weak consumer demand. If the Senate fails to include this measure, a program that is providing many unemployed, low-income parents with … -
Creating a Safety Net That Works When the Economy Doesn’t: The Role of the Food Stamp and TANF Programs
February 25, 2010
The Food Stamp Program[1] and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program have responded very differently to the unprecedented challenges that the current recession, with its high levels of unemployment and rapidly changing economic circumstances, has posed to the nation’s safety net. The Food Stamp Program, a federal … -
Statement by Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on Retirement Security Proposals in the President’s 2011 Budget
February 24, 2010
The retirement security proposals in the President’s 2011 budget likely would produce a significant increase in retirement saving that would help both American families and the overall economy. It would increase the total amount of national saving, thereby increasing the pool of funds … -
Tax Rate for Richest 400 Taxpayers Plummeted in Recent Decades, Even as Their Pre-Tax Incomes Skyrocketed
February 23, 2010
The effective federal income tax rate for the 400 taxpayers with the very highest incomes has declined by nearly half over the past two decades, even as their pre-tax incomes have grown five times larger, new IRS data show.[1] The top 400 households paid 16.6 percent of their income in federal individual income taxes in 2007, down from 30 … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on the President's Health Reform Proposal
February 23, 2010
The President’s proposal represents the last hope, perhaps for years to come, to enact comprehensive reforms that extend coverage to over 30 million uninsured Americans, provide important consumer protections to tens of millions of insured Americans whose coverage may have critical gaps, … -
Podcast: Governors’ Budget Proposals and the Economy
February 23, 2010
Governors’ proposed budgets for next year and what they mean for the economy are discussed by the Deputy Director of the Center’s State Fiscal Project, Jon Shure.
Duration: 3:44
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Extending TANF Emergency Fund Meets CBO Criteria for Effective Policies to Increase Employment
February 22, 2010
As Congress considers actions to create jobs and boost the economy, one of the most effective steps it could take — on a “bang-for-the-buck” basis — would be to extend and modestly expand the TANF Emergency Fund, set to expire September 30. This fund, created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is creating jobs at a very low cost. … -
With Long-Term Unemployment at Record Levels, Congress Should Extend Recovery Act’s Unemployment Insurance Provisions Through 2010
February 22, 2010
Unless Congress acts, temporary emergency benefits for unemployed workers will run out at the end of this month. These benefits not only help unemployed workers and their families, but also are one of the most effective ways to boost the nascent economic recovery. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), enacted a year ago, provided additional weeks of … -
Getting the Facts Straight
February 17, 2010
Some of President Obama’s critics and political opponents have launched a line of argument that Obama is mostly to blame for the large federal budget deficits projected for the coming decade and that his Administration’s role in swelling deficits and debt dwarfs that of the previous administration. [1] The critics cite what they … -
Failure to Extend Improvements in Child Tax Credit Would Harm Millions of Low-Income Working Families
February 16, 2010
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) expanded the child tax credit to reach many low-income working families who previously were excluded from it and boosted the credit for many more such families who were receiving only a fraction of the full credit. This action helped millions of children whose parents are child care … -
Oregon Voters' Approval of Tax Increase Noteworthy as Federal Tax Debate Opens
February 16, 2010
Oregonians’ decisive vote last month to raise taxes on households making over $250,000 calls into question the conventional wisdom that tax-increase proposals are politically untenable regardless of their merit on economic, budgetary, and equity grounds. This has important implications for Congress, which must decide … -
Podcast: The January Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
February 16, 2010
The jobs report for January is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 3:32
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Coburn-Ryan Health Bill Would Jeopardize Coverage for Many, While Failing To Reduce the Number of Uninsured Significantly
Revised February 12, 2010
With President Obama’s call for greater inter-party cooperation on health reform, and his announcement that the White House will hold a health care “summit” on February 25, Republican alternatives to the House- and Senate-passed Democratic plans are now receiving more attention. One such alternative is the … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on Baucus-Grassley "HIRE" Act
February 11, 2010
The Baucus-Grassley “HIRE” Act recognizes the need for further steps to boost the economy and create jobs beyond what Congress enacted last year in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). It falls short of what’s needed, however, because it lacks additional fiscal relief for hard-pressed states and provides an inadequate extension of … -
Podcast: The ABCs of State Budgets
February 9, 2010
The ABCs of state budgets, and the problems that many states face today because of the recession are discussed by the Deputy Director of the Center’s State Fiscal Project, Jon Shure.
Duration: 4:13
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the January Employment Report
February 5, 2010
Today’s jobs report shows that job losses have slowed to a trickle compared with what they were in the months just before President Obama and Congress enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) last February. But it also highlights the huge jobs deficit that remains the legacy of the longest and most severe recession since the Great Depression. … -
President's Budget Requests $266 Billion to Support Economic Recovery
February 5, 2010
In light of the still tenuous nature of the economic recovery, President Obama’s budget request of $266 billion for temporary provisions to support and speed economic recovery is necessary, reasonably sized, and well targeted.[1] Some news outlets, focusing on the budget’s $100 billion for a new “jobs initiative,” have reported that the budget … -
Health Reform Essential for Reducing Deficit and Slowing Health Care Costs
February 3, 2010
Because rising health care costs represent the single largest cause of the federal government’s long-term budget problems, fundamental health reform must be part of any budget solution.[1] President Obama observed at a recent town hall meeting: “If you are serious about reducing our deficit and debt you cannot accomplish it without reforming … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on the President's 2011 Budget Proposal
February 1, 2010
The President’s budget reflects both the short-term priority of boosting the economy and creating jobs and the longer-term priority of bringing deficits under control while meeting important national needs. There is a strong case for more medium- and long-term deficit reduction than the budget contains. But the budget likely goes as far in this … -
Podcast: Greenstein on the Priorities Reflected in the President’s Budget
February 1, 2010
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Allowing High-Income Tax Cuts to Expire on Schedule Would Be Sound Economic and Fiscal Policy
Updated February 1, 2010
In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for allowing the Bush-era tax cuts for high-income Americans to expire on schedule at the end of the year. Critics already are attacking this proposal as an unwarranted tax increase that would harm the weak economy and kill large numbers of jobs, especially among small … -
Who Benefits From Federal Subsidies for Free and Reduced Price School Meals?
January 29, 2010
In anticipation of Congressional reauthorization of the federal child nutrition programs, some have called for increased federal reimbursement rates for school meals to improve their nutritional quality. [2] Under current rules, however, federal payments for free and reduced price meals are not used solely to underwrite the cost of producing … -
Podcast: The Earned Income Tax Credit
January 29, 2010
The Earned Income Tax Credit and how it helps low-wage workers and their families is discussed by John Wancheck, Coordinator of the Center’s Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach campaign.
Duration: 4:36
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January 30 Data Release Will Capture Only a Portion of the Jobs Created or Saved By the Recovery Act
January 29, 2010
On January 30, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board will post on its website, www.recovery.gov, data on jobs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This data release will capture only a portion of the jobs created and saved by the Act, due to ARRA’s limited reporting requirements. According … -
Press Release: Governors’ 2011 Budgets Propose New Round of Cuts
January 28, 2010
As states begin preparing for the third year of a fiscal crisis brought on by the recession, governors’ new budget proposals contain cuts to core services — like education and health care — and state workforces well beyond those they have already made, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The proposals … -
Policy Points: Recession Still Causing Trouble for States
Updated January 28, 2010
The weak economy continues to cause great fiscal distress among states. New budget gaps have opened up in many states for the current fiscal year (July 1 marked the start of 2010 for most states). The budget gaps for this year and next year combined are estimated to total more than $350 … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director, on the Statutory “Pay As You Go” Budget Proposal
January 27, 2010
This proposal marks a useful step toward restoring fiscal responsibility. A well-designed pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rule can contribute significantly to the fiscal discipline needed to address the nation’s serious long-term budget problems, presuming that policymakers abide by it and pay … -
Statement: Nicholas Johnson, State Fiscal Project Director, on the Passage of Revenue Measures in Oregon
January 27, 2010
In approving tax increases on the ballot yesterday, Oregon voters wisely chose a balanced approach to addressing the state’s budget crisis. They rejected the claim that revenue increases would harm the economy and, instead, they acknowledged that relying on program cuts alone would hurt … -
Major Insurance Market Reforms Will Not Work Unless They Are Part of Broader Health Reform
January 27, 2010
Insurance market reforms are a key element of the comprehensive health reform bills that the House and the Senate have passed. Under the bills, insurers in both the individual and small-group insurance markets would be barred from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, charging higher premiums based on a person’s health status or gender, or … -
Press Release: Most Large New Mexico Corporations Already Comply With Proposed Corporate Tax Reform in Other States
January 26, 2010
While proposals to adopt a key corporate tax reform in New Mexico have drawn criticism from some multistate corporations, almost all of the major corporations doing business in New Mexico already comply with the reform in at least one of the 23 other states that have it, according to a report released today by the Washington, DC-based Center on Budget and Policy … -
Podcast: The Long-Term Budget Outlook
January 26, 2010
The long-term budget outlook is discussed by the Center’s Director of Federal Fiscal Policy, Jim Horney.
Duration: 5:12
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Changes to Excise Tax on High-Cost Health Plans Address Criticisms, Retain Long-Term Benefits
January 26, 2010
Under one scenario for Congress to enact health reform legislation, the House would pass the Senate health bill, and the House and Senate would both pass a budget reconciliation bill that includes changes to the health bill that House and Senate leaders have negotiated. One apparent obstacle to this course of action is continued objection by some House members to … -
Vast Majority of Large New Mexico Corporations are Already Subject to “Combined Reporting” in Other States
January 26, 2010
For the past several years, there has been serious discussion in New Mexico of adopting an important reform in the state corporate income tax known as mandatory “combined reporting.” Some New Mexico corporations have opposed this change, suggesting that it could result in some companies leaving the state or … -
Sharp Expansion of HUD’s “Moving-To-Work” Demonstration Raises Serious Concerns
January 22, 2010
A proposal before Congress would sharply expand HUD’s Moving-to-Work (MTW) demonstration. Unless important limitations are added, this expansion would reduce the number of families receiving housing assistance by shifting funds out of the Section 8 housing voucher program. It also would expose more low-income families to … -
Podcast: Robert Greenstein Testimony on the Long-Term Budget Problem
January 21, 2010
Robert Greenstein testifies on the long-term budget deficit before the House of Representatives Committee on the Budget on January 21, 2010.
Duration: 11:12
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Testimony: Robert Greenstein on the Long-Term Budget Problem Facing the United States
January 21, 2010
Mr. Chairman, Congressman Ryan, and members of the Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to appear here today to discuss the long-term budget problem facing the United States. Last week, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a new analysis presenting our latest long-term projections of federal spending, revenues, deficits, and … -
Podcast: Food Insecurity
January 19, 2010
How food insecurity affects families is discussed by Stacy Dean, the Center’s Director of Food Assistance Policy. Duration: 3:49
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Press Release: Setting The Right Fiscal Target: Policymakers Should Stabilize Debt As Share Of Economy Over Next Decade
January 12, 2010
Deficits and debt will rise to unprecedented levels in coming decades without major changes in federal budget policies, so policymakers should set a goal of stabilizing the debt as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) over the next decade, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported today. In its analysis, “The Right Target: Stabilize the Federal … -
The Right Target: Stabilize the Federal Debt
January 12, 2010
Deficits and debt will rise to unprecedented levels in coming decades without major changes in federal budget policies, so policymakers should set a goal of stabilizing the debt as a share of gross domestic product over the next decade. This report presents new Center on Budget and Policy Priorities projections of federal spending, … -
Podcast: Poverty and the Recovery Act
January 12, 2010
A recent analysis of the effect of the Recovery Act on poverty is discussed by Arloc Sherman, the Center’s Senior Researcher in the Welfare Reform and Income Support Division.
Duration: 4:59
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the December Employment Report
January 8, 2010
Today’s jobs report shows that, while the economy has apparently turned a corner and sharply rising unemployment and large monthly job losses may be behind us, the labor market remains extraordinarily weak and jobs remain very hard to find. In these circumstances, the case remains strong … -
Podcast: The December Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
January 8, 2010
The jobs report for December is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 3:21
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Podcast: The Current Status of Health Reform
January 5, 2010
The current status of health reform in Congress is discussed by the Center’s Senior Health Fellow, Judy Solomon. Duration: 3:27
