Now That They've Happened, Spending Cuts Seem Here to Stay
So after months of dire warnings, across-the-board spending cuts kicked in. Washington didn't implode, government didn't shut down and the $85 billion budget trigger didn't spell doom.
Federal spending
Spending Cuts In Place, Obama and GOP Brace for Next Battle
Severe spending cuts now the law of the land, President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans placed the blame squarely on each other for any damage the cuts might inflict.
Why the Budget Battle Stalemate? Politicians Are Too Human
Professionals who special in conflict resolution recognize in Washington's bitter budget standoff a hint of human nature as they know it, but with the crazy pumped up to absurd levels.
Guess Who's Making Money? NPR
NPR expects to make a profit this year, a surprising state of affairs for a nonprofit. But with the national debate raging about whether the federal government should stop funding public broadcasting, could NPR find itself a victim of its own success?
Where's an Extra $1 Trillion in Spending Going?
Washington now spends that much more than it did a mere three years ago. But trying to figure out what we're getting for all that extra money is no simple matter. A lot of slicing and dicing does yield some answers -- none of which are very satisfying.
Federal Budgets Cuts Now Could Stall the Recovery
Goldman Sachs drew some undeserved ire when it recently pointed to proposed cuts in federal spending as a key near-term risk. While the proposed cuts are modest, they could still undermine the rebound at a critical time.
Hocus + Pocus = The 2012 Federal Budget Plan
Like all budgets, the federal government's spending plan is all about revenues and expenditures. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam is very good at grossly overestimating tax receipts and grossly underestimating spending. It's enough to make you wonder if any of it is real.
Social Security Is in Far Worse Shape Than You Think
For years, policymakers have reassured the public that Social Security will be solvent for decades. But outlay and income data from the Treasury reveal that Social Security is already deep in the red -- by $76 billion in 2010 alone. That's just the beginning.
