Budgets and Fiscal Policy

Our work in selected areas of government spending and budgets -- through the lenses of efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

November 01, 2012

Rewarmed or Reformed? Minnesota Relaunches Performance Based Budgeting

Advocates say it's a recipe for productivity and efficiency improvements in government and a foundation of long-term budget sustainability. Skeptics says it is politically naive and administratively utopian with potential hazards. Experience says it's best to ratchet way back on any transformational…

January 02, 2012

How Does Minnesota Compare - Government Transparency Edition

Minnesota's rankings on a host of transparency meaures deveoped by national organizations. January-February 2012.

November 01, 2011

Budgeting Through the Constitution: Popular Appeal; Practical Problems

From our Nov-Dec 2011 edition of Fiscal Focus. The potential long-term consequences of constitutional budgeting and supermajority requirements make these popular ideas poor policy.