In this Q & A, we’ll talk about cuts to the safety net despite the rising need among our most vulnerable citizens. I’m Michelle Bazie and I’m joined by the Director of the Center’s Welfare Reform and Income Support Division, Dr. LaDonna Pavetti.

As Congress debates measures to extend Bush-era tax cuts and fund government operations for the current fiscal year before its members leave town for the holidays, we thought you might be interested in some perspective on how the federal government uses tax dollars. (For a more detailed analysis, read our Policy Basics here or listen to our podcast on the topic here).

In this podcast we will discuss the latest information showing that the Recovery Act is creating jobs and boosting the economy. I’m Shannon Spillane and I’m joined by Michael Leachman, Assistant Director of the Center’s State Fiscal Project.

This week on Off the Charts, we focused on the tax cut-unemployment insurance (UI) deal between President Obama and Republican leaders, the economy, state budgets, health reform, and housing.