Fiscal Follies

[Max Sawicky]

In regard to the question of where next year's spending
is going, here's a link:

http://www.senate.gov/~budget/republican/analysis/archive/bbindex.htm

Total outlays increases proposed by the Senate and House
GOP, respectively, are $11.4 billion and $15.5b, relative
to the FY1999 level of $559 billion (not counting "emergencies").
Proposed defense increases in nominal terms are $5.5b and $10.2b
from a FY1999 level of $257.7b.  If we assume a low inflation rate
of 2%, then $5.2 billion increase is required to stay even in
real terms.  The base amount does not include some military
tucked into other appropriations bills, particularly energy
and foreign ops.  Most of the emergency Kosovo spending is
scored against the current fiscal year (about $10 b).

mbs