Tax and spending policies are the “bread and butter” of the daily business of Congress, yet the pro and con arguments over specific policy proposals are often motivated by differences in ideology rather than based on the fundamental effects of the policies on economic decisions and outcomes. This briefing/seminar provides a quick overview of the economics of tax and spending policies, covering the motivation for government intervention, the “microeconomic” effects of policies on economic decisions at the individual household and business level, the “macroeconomic” effects of policies (and how they are financed) on the total level of economic activity, and the “distributional” effects of policies on different types of households.

This briefing is the first “core” lesson in PWBM’s new Certificate for Policy Professionals, which is geared toward congressional staffers and other public policy professionals who work in the Washington, DC area. The program will train students in the economics of public policies and the process of how policies are made. After completing the program, certificate earners will be better prepared to understand and articulate the economic trade-offs of legislation. Please visit our certificate page to learn more and apply.

Lunch will be provided.

Presenter: Diane Lim, Director of Outreach & Senior Advisor, PWBM

Please contact us at budgetmodel@wharton.upenn.edu if you have any questions about the event.