Budget Matters Blog


On the Block: Out in the Cold

As one third of the country prepares for winter weather this week, state and local governments are struggling to find a way to pay for the aftermath. Snow and ice removal is taking a toll on budgets across the country, and winter is not yet over. Today we'll take a ...

The President Speaks

Tuesday night, the President delivered his annual State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution requires the President to “from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration ...

The Politics of Health Care Policy

The Politics of Health Care PolicyEven before the November 2, 2010 elections catapulted them back into power in the U.S. House of Representatives, members of the Republican leadership were already announcing their intention to repeal “Obamacare” – the health care reform legislation enacted by Congress only eight months earlier – ...

DC Speak: The Biggest Credit Card Bill Ever

The United States has been borrowing its way out of mounting obligations and lowered revenues for some time. We rely on the federal government to provide a variety of services across the country, including healthcare for veterans, special education programs, and energy grants for those with lower incomes. When tax ...

What would you do with $1 trillion dollars? Ask a young filmmaker

The American Friends Service Committee and National Priorities Project are preparing to announce the six lucky winners of If I Had a Trillion Dollars (IHTD), a national video contest which asks young people to convey how they would spend the more than $1 trillion dollars spent on the U.S. wars ...

Pell Grants: Not out of the woods yet!

By Samantha DanaIn the Continuing Resolution passed by Congress on December 21, 2010 one line specifies that the maximum Pell Grant award amount shall not exceed $4,860. These grants, which do not have to be repaid, are an essential part of making college affordable. However, not many are aware of ...

This "Lame Duck" Had Wings

After the November elections, members of Congress returned to Capitol Hill for their “lame duck” session with one huge piece of unfinished business – the Fiscal Year 2011 budget. And while they failed to complete work on the budget – the government is currently running on a “continuing resolution” that ...

On the Block: Energy Assistance Programs

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }a:link { } By Samantha Dana During the holiday season, many of us wish for a “White Christmas” while we “dream by the fire.” For others, the warmth of the season is illusive, with high heating costs and declining income leaving them vulnerable to the cold. ...

Forecast: Mostly Cloudy with a Chance of Shut Down

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }a:link { } By Samantha DanaWith the clock ticking away on the last session of the 111th Congress, the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate have a few bills they still need to get passed. The largest, most important one is the budget for the ...

(Not) On the Block: Free and Reduced Cost School Meals

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }a:link { } By Samantha Dana Yesterday, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 into law with his wife, a strong anti-childhood obesity advocate, by his side. The law has two main goals: to increase the number of students who are able ...