Federal Budget

The calendar has flipped, the fireworks have faded, and most resolutions have already been broken.  A new year can bring a sense of renewal, or at least the illusion of a fresh start.  But in the world of federal policy, the first few days of a new year can give way to what was.

We all know the old saw about slowly boiling a frog.  It is a cruel idea but demonstrates how the consequences of steady, yet destructive behaviors can sneak up on us if we aren’t careful.  America has been growing its levels of debt for years.  Some have worried about the outcome while others are more sanguine.  For now, those remaining calm have been on the right sid

With the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting behind us, growing focus is directed to America’s budget.  Expect more of this type of discussion in the news as May wears on because our nation is near its debt limit.  Leadership is expected to meet next week to discuss the matter which could come to a head in early June.  Unfortunately, busy calendars and trips out of the c

Family Feud is a gameshow which started in 1976 and aired through 1985.  After a few years hiatus, it returned in 1988, only to end again in 1995.  Then as the last century came to a close, it managed to make another comeback, one which has lasted through today.  It pits two families against each other, competing to determine answers to survey questions previously asked to a grou

The American Government’s fiscal year has begun, and the start is already deeper into the red than year ago.  During the first 31 days of fiscal 2020, our nation’s deficit reached $134.5 billion, rising 33.8 percent!  This quick dig deeper into the debt hole follows the nearly $1 trillion shortfall in 2019.

Your federal government went deeper into the hole in July 2018 according to the Treasury Department’s budget release.  Spending outpaced revenues by $76.9 billion, increasing the monthly shortfall by $2.0 billion compared to June.  Year-to-date, the fiscal deficit is $684.0 billion, 20.8 percent deeper than a year ago.