SAN JOSE – As they weigh this year’s political campaign rhetoric about the federal budget, Californians will have an opportunity to try to improve that budget themselves in a community-wide federal deficit-reduction exercise Wednesday, May 9 at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda.
The exercise, co-hosted by the San Jose Mercury News and the non-partisan Concord Coalition, is free and open to the public. It will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
SAN JOSE – As they weigh this year’s political campaign rhetoric about the federal budget, Californians will have an opportunity to try to improve that budget themselves in a community-wide federal deficit-reduction exercise Wednesday, May 9 at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda.
The exercise, co-hosted by the San Jose Mercury News and the non-partisan Concord Coalition, is free and open to the public. It will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Participants will assume the roles of members of Congress who have been appointed to a special committee to recommend a package of policies to reduce projected deficits over the coming years and put America on a sound fiscal foundation. This involves difficult decisions and compromises on domestic and defense spending as well as possible changes in entitlement programs and tax policies.
“Even after the country has fully recovered from its current economic difficulties, we are on course for sharply rising deficits as the population ages, health care costs continue to climb rapidly and the government’s interest costs spiral upwards,” says Robert L. Bixby, Concord’s executive director.
“Without reforms, the gap between government spending and revenue will get larger and larger,” Bixby points out. “We clearly need to put the country on a more responsible track and avoid burdening our children and future generations with our debts. Fortunately, various experts and bipartisan groups have recommended many ways to do that. We invite California residents to join us on May 9 to discuss many of these options and decide which ones they believe would be most fair and effective.”
Although there is no charge for the program, space is limited and reservations are appreciated. They can be made at concordcoalition.org/RSVP .
Click here for more information: www.concordcoalition.org
WHAT: Community-Wide Federal Deficit Reduction Exercise
WHEN: Wednesday, May 9, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: San Jose City Hall Rotunda
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
