bobbyw24
03-03-2009, 10:30 AM
http://www.pgpf.org/newsroom/oped/budgettips/
Tips for Analyzing the President's Budget
President Obama has unveiled an ambitious budget that aims to reduce governmental costs by $2 trillion. You don't have to be a Washington budget geek to assess his blueprint. Here are some helpful tips on what to look for in evaluating his proposals.
Look at absolute numbers, not changes from a baseline.
Understand the assumptions contained in the baseline that is used to develop comparisons ("cuts" or "increases" relative to what baseline?).
Review the economic assumptions used over the full budget window.
Budget Content:
Look at the year-by-year numbers to assess patterns and growth assumptions for reasonableness.
What's included in the budget and what is not? Are all major policy proposal accounted for? How well-formulated are proposals and estimates? What about the usual ploys to improve the budget's outlook (i.e., AMT fix, war funds, disaster needs, Medicare physician payment formula reductions)?
What is the requested funding level for FY 2009 appropriations and how does it compare to omnibus legislation under congressional consideration?
How does the budget treat the financial institution stabilization measures-both those already enacted and new proposals? Is that treatment comprehensive and transparent?
What is the projected growth rate for discretionary spending with and without the stimulus? How does it compare to recent experience?
How specific are proposed savings or offsets?
How realistic are revenue proposals?
Any proposals related to budget process and enforcement?
What does the budget say about the long-term fiscal gap?
To reach Susan Tanaka, who prepared these guidelines,
please call the PGPF public affairs office at 212-542-9200.
This information is also available in PDF format.
Tips for Analyzing the President's Budget
President Obama has unveiled an ambitious budget that aims to reduce governmental costs by $2 trillion. You don't have to be a Washington budget geek to assess his blueprint. Here are some helpful tips on what to look for in evaluating his proposals.
Look at absolute numbers, not changes from a baseline.
Understand the assumptions contained in the baseline that is used to develop comparisons ("cuts" or "increases" relative to what baseline?).
Review the economic assumptions used over the full budget window.
Budget Content:
Look at the year-by-year numbers to assess patterns and growth assumptions for reasonableness.
What's included in the budget and what is not? Are all major policy proposal accounted for? How well-formulated are proposals and estimates? What about the usual ploys to improve the budget's outlook (i.e., AMT fix, war funds, disaster needs, Medicare physician payment formula reductions)?
What is the requested funding level for FY 2009 appropriations and how does it compare to omnibus legislation under congressional consideration?
How does the budget treat the financial institution stabilization measures-both those already enacted and new proposals? Is that treatment comprehensive and transparent?
What is the projected growth rate for discretionary spending with and without the stimulus? How does it compare to recent experience?
How specific are proposed savings or offsets?
How realistic are revenue proposals?
Any proposals related to budget process and enforcement?
What does the budget say about the long-term fiscal gap?
To reach Susan Tanaka, who prepared these guidelines,
please call the PGPF public affairs office at 212-542-9200.
This information is also available in PDF format.