US Fiscal Policy Digest

Midterms could produce a divided federal government, putting budget and debt-ceiling talks on the agenda. Meanwhile, the 2028 race unofficially begins...

The two states' budget outlooks are moving in opposite directions:

• Nebraska's gap is growing: Revenue estimates for 2028-29 fell by about $355...

Large operating shortfalls are pushing two districts toward cuts, though the scale and causes differ.

• Milwaukee: Preliminary figures show a deficit...

Republican Rick Jackson's central tax promises are cutting the state income tax in half and freezing property taxes across Georgia.

• Missing...

The Senate farm bill spends now and promises uncertain savings later. The CBO estimates it would add $7.8 billion to deficits through fiscal 2031,...

The city's proposed 2027 budget holds pay flat and keeps frozen posts unfilled, which Mayor Heather Graham frames as cost control.

• Pay: The...

An Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy report, described by its head, finds the largest profitable U.S. corporations paid the smallest share of...

Rep. Jackie Terribile (R-District 66) voted against South Carolina's FY 2026–2027 budget, citing concerns about overall spending levels and the budget...

Iowa's Revenue Estimating Conference raised its October outlook, projecting General Fund revenue of slightly more than $8.5 billion for fiscal 2027...

Nuveen's head of municipals, Dan Close, is discussing how the midterms could affect muni bonds. The headline argues that nine ballot measures could...

The savings case rests on one idea: the Citizens Budget Commission suggests removing one crew member from fully automated trains. The reporting leaves...

Federal debt held by the public reached 100.6% of GDP for the recently ended 2026 fiscal year, the first time it has exceeded economic output since 1946. The article's central argument is that economic growth alone won't solve the debt problem.

States are weighing tough questions about deductions for tips and overtime. The provisions, commonly called "no tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime",...

The Fed kept rates unchanged, and the inflation data gives little room for relief.

• Inflation gauges: September PCE rose 3.6% from a year earlier,...

Charlie Bilello notes that jobless claims have hit their lowest level since 1969. Adjusting for population growth, from 203 million then to 349...

Trump's Kansas rally used tax claims to make his case ahead of the November 3 midterms:

• He said Democrats voted against exemptions on tips,...

The IRS overview of the Working Families Tax Cuts raises a few questions worth checking against your own situation:

• Do you have an eligible child?...

Inflation reached 3.7% in September, up from 3.4% in August, with gasoline driving much of the jump. But the squeeze predates this spike: CPI has run...

Government contractors are currently banned from making campaign contributions. The rule is meant to stop pay-to-play deals in which companies seeking...

Grand Island's mayoral candidates used a debate to press property taxes and the stalled Good Life District, which voters approved in 2024.

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