Nov. 7, 2012

Fiscal Cliff Definition

A simple explanation of the much-hyped, so-called fiscal cliff.

What Will Happen with the Fiscal Cliff?

Washington is negotiating a budget deal to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. Find out what's on the negotiating table.

Build a Better Budget

Between the election on Nov. 6 and the end of December, Congress will face pressing decisions about how much (and whom) to tax and how much (and on what) to spend. This is your chance to build a better budget – and then tell Congress about it.

Washington's Cliff Notes

In a piece on Bill Moyers and other sites, NPP research analysts explain all the pieces of the so-called fiscal cliff and make predictions about what will happen.

Cost of Tax Cuts

The Bush-era tax cuts are making the news as they near their expiration date on Dec. 31, 2012. There’s much debate over whether or not the high-income tax cuts should be extended. See how much those tax cuts cost and who benefits.

Budget Showdown: The Numbers You Need

Tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans will cost the U.S. government more than $80 billion in FY2013. Just what does that mean? Get the facts:

• Budget Showdown Fact Sheet (.pdf)

What is the Fiscal Cliff?

In these budget briefs, senior research analyst Mattea Kramer explains the fiscal cliff.

Fiscal Cliff Part 1 – Sequestration

Fiscal Cliff Part 2 – The Bush Tax Cuts

From the Budget Matters Blog

Sequestration and Other Fiscal Cliff Issues

• Congress, the Elections, and the Lame Duck - Written by Chris Hellman on Oct. 10, 2012
  The challenges Congress faces when it reconvenes after the election.
• Did Congress Just Solve Sequestration? - Written by Chris Hellman on Sept. 14, 2012
  The stop-gap spending bill that's currently funding the government is a separate issue from the upcoming across-the-board spending cuts.
• Gridlock in the Budget Process - Written by Mattea Kramer on April 19, 2012
  Partisan differences over tax cuts stall Congress.

Pentagon Spending and Sequestration

• As spending cuts loom, Pentagon supporters are getting nervous. - Written by Chris Hellman on July 20, 2012
• Across-the-Board spending cuts could hurt the military, but the Pentagon is better positioned to deal with Sequestration than other federal programs. - Written by Chris Hellman on June 18, 2012

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