Accounting Better for the Federal Budget: The Government We Deserve


 

Publication Date: March 2008

Publisher: Tax Policy Center

Author(s): C. Eugene Steuerle

Research Area: Economics

Keywords: Economy; Federal Budgets & Fiscal Policy; Fiscal future

Type: Report

Abstract:

Almost nothing better reflects our federal government priorities than the budget. The arcane rules governing how budget numbers are presented, however, totally obscure what's really happening. Turning out even more lights, every modern president and Congress play an accounting game that makes it seem like they aren't accountable for how spending changes over time.