Practical Lessons in Budget Reform

This event is the first of a four-part series, "How the Debt Committee Can Significantly Improve Our Fiscal Course." Don't miss the next three events addressing fundamental tax reform, budget process reform, and spending reform. 

The United States is not the first nation to accumulate unsustainable levels of debt, nor is it the first to face devastating economic and fiscal consequences because of it.

The good news is we’re not flying blind. Economists’ exhaustive research of other nations’ experiences provides a wealth of insight on the most effective way to deal with unsustainable debt. There is also much to be learned from our own past attempts—successful or not—to meaningfully reform the budget.

Please join the Mercatus Center for an in-depth discussion grounded in academic literature and practical know-how on the best—and worst—practices for reforming the budget to achieve fiscal and economic sustainability.

This discussion will focus on the following questions:

• Which fundamental spending, tax, and budget process reforms have proven most effective in reducing debt?  
• Is there an ideal combination of budgetary reforms for reducing debt?  
• What about the economy? Can we improve our fiscal situation without making our economic situation even worse?
• How can we avoid repeating our own past failures in addressing unsustainable debt? 

This event is free and open to all congressional, executive branch, and federal agency staff, as well as the media. This event is not open to the general public. Due to space constraints, please no interns without prior approval. Food will be provided. For any questions, please contact Julie Burden at jburden2@gmu.edu or 703-344-3219.