While not as entertaining as “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” the bobby-soxer romp of the early 1960s, biennial budgeting represents a refreshing change-of-pace from the dour melodrama that Congress’ current fiscal discourse has become. On March 22, 2013, Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) scored a preliminary victory on the issue when the Senate voted 68-31 in favor of their amendment (S. Amdt. 138) to the Senate’s first-in-four-years budget resolution. The Isakson-Shaheen effort provides a matinee preview to their legislation, S. 554, the Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act, that would be needed to implement the recommendations included in the upper chamber’s budget resolution, which does not carry the force of law.
ECPA Reform Necessary to Prevent Unwarranted Searches
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) was enacted in 1986, long before widespread use of the Internet. Today’s society communicates in a dramatically different manner than in 1986, with an increasing amount of data stored digitally with third party providers.
Same old thing: Tax and Spend
We were provided a joint analysis of President Obama’s budget by the House and Senate Republican Budget Committees.
Another Deficit Driver: Contractor Pensions
Since the 1980s, private companies, the federal government, and several state governments have eliminated the uncertainties and risks associated with managing defined benefit pension plans (low interest rates, stock market declines, and an aging work force) and have migrated to defined contribution retirement options. However, many companies that contract with the federal government have continued to offer defined benefit plans, in part because the investment risks are absorbed by the taxpayers through reimbursements for pension shortfalls.
Disability is the New Welfare
The two primary federal disability insurance programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), provide assistance to individuals with disabilities. SSDI is funded through payroll taxes and can be supplied on a permanent or temporary basis. SSI is a means-tested program for low-income individuals and is funded through general revenues. While tested enrollment in both programs has increased, the precipitous rise of SSDI beneficiaries is a more expensive proposition.
Batter Up! Move the Budget Baseline
For fans of the national pastime in Washington, D.C., it would be great if the Nationals could just start the new season where they left off last year. The District’s boys of summer would automatically be handed the 2013 National League East division title, and fans could spend carefree months without worrying about whether the team will make it to the post-season for the second time in 80 years.
Sugar! Oh, Help Me, Help Me!
“Sugar, Sugar” was the Number One single of 1969.
GOP Budget: We Balance, They Don’t
Welcome to “Extreme Sports: Capitol Hill Edition.”
Illinois: Land of Winkin’…and Nudgin’ (Say No More!)
On Monday of this week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced it was suing the state of Illinois over a lawsuit that alleged that state officials had mislead investors over the health of their pension funds between 2005 and 2009.
Big Sugar’s Sweet Deal Gets More Costly
For many years, Big Sugar has claimed that the government’s sugar program operates at no cost to taxpayers.