Knowledge is Power

The Federal Government of the United States of America accounted for 8.0% of GDP in the second quarter of 2009. However, state and local governments accounted for 12.7% of GDP in the same quarter. But the media focuses on what is being spent by the national government, not the state and local governments which actually collect and spend even more of your tax dollars.

This course focuses on how you can research what your local government is taxing and spending so that you can make informed choices. With this information, comments you make to the local elected officials will carry more weight. Letters to the editor and blog entries will also be more informed than the typical letters and posts. Become a local expert. Learn to influence the direction of your local government.

This class is NOT oriented towards any specific political orientation other than increasing citizen involvement and knowledge.

I will be posting recent articles on governmental budgeting related subjects to the Content section of eduFire. To see the most recent articles, go to my profile, or search for them in the Content section.

In the single session course, the following topics will be discussed:

1) What is a government budget
2) What is a good government budget
3) The revenue side of the budget
4) The expenditure side of the budget
5) Elements of a budget document

An open mind and willingness to involve yourself in the local government.