Publications -- Federal Spending

Jun 23, 1997

BA #233 – One Last Chance For KidCare

As part of the recent budget agreement, President Clinton and Congressional leaders agreed to spend $16 billion over the next five years on health insurance for children. Now the question facing Congress is: What's the best way to spend the money?

Aug 16, 1994

BG #133 – The Clinton/Gephardt Bill

House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO) released the health care reform bill of the House Democratic leadership on July 29.  It is a composite based on President Clinton's original proposal and on the work of the House Ways and Means and House Education and Labor committees.  While Gephardt has sought to emphasize the differences between his bill and President Clinton's plan, what is remarkable is how little has changed.

Jun 10, 1993

BG #126 – Should 85 Percent of Social Security Benefits Be Taxed?

President Clinton proposes to increase the tax on Social Security benefits. Although the administration calls this an "entitlement spending reduction," what it proposes is a tax that will fall primarily on elderly investment income. The remainder of the burden will fall on the wages of elderly workers.

Apr 01, 1993

ST #178 – Economic Impact Of Government Spending: A 50-State Analysis

Econometric studies cast serious doubt on the benefit of most government spending. They show little relationship between most government spending - including education and highways- and economic growth.

Mar 11, 1993

BG #125 – President Clinton's Economic Plan

The National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) has completed a fonnal forecast of the effects of President Clinton's economic plan. The forecast assumes adoption of the plan in full, including all tax and spending changes.

Jan 07, 1993

BG #124 – Why Bush Lost the Election: Ten Lessons for the Clinton Administration

According to the political pundits, a lackluster economy is the main reason President Bush lost the election. That judgment is based on solid economic evidence:

Oct 22, 1992

BG #122 – The Perot Economic Plan

In contrast to George Bush and Bill Clinton, Ross Perot has proposed a serious plan to reduce the federal deficit. 1 If all of Perot's recommendations were implemented, the plan would reduce deficit spending by $711.5 billion over the next six years. Even ignoring Perot's recommended cuts in Medicare and Medicaid on the grounds of political realism, the plan would reduce deficit spending by $570.2 billion. This contrasts markedly with the programs of the other two candidates.

Jun 22, 1992

BG #119 – How the Federal Government Is Causing Our Nation's Health Care Crisis

A common assumption behind most health care reform proposals is that the private sector is causing our national health care crisis.  In fundamental ways, the federal government rather than the private sector is responsible for our health policy crisis, and state governments can make few improvements as long as unwise federal policies remain in place.

Apr 07, 1992

BG #116 – Bush vs. The Congressional Democrats: Whose Tax Plan Is Better?

In his State of the Union message, President Bush proposed a new tax package which he said would promote economic growth and create jobs. With unusual assertiveness, he gave Congress one month to enact his package.

Oct 16, 1990

BG #109 – If the Budget Summit Was a Success, Why is the Five-Year Deficit Heading Toward $1 Trillion?

The recently released 1992 federal budget documents the failure of the federal government to live within its means.