Here’s a roundup of this morning’s must-read budget and economic stories:

The Associated Press looks at why the national debt matters this election season.

The latest idea to avoid the fiscal cliff is to pass legislation requiring that Congress deal with tax reform. Politico has the details.

Congress adjourned on Friday – Reuters and The Washington Post look at all it left undone.

Before lawmakers left, they did pass a six month continuing resolution. The Hill, Politico and Reuters have the story.

According to The Associated Press, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) does not want to extend the payroll tax cut.

The New York Times reports the Department of Veterans Affairs pension system often makes double payments to beneficiaries.

The Wall Street Journal says despite state pension programs are still in deep trouble despite states making cuts to them.

The Hill reports a bill to repeal the taxes in the 2010 health care law now has 218 co-sponsors.

On the opinion pages: Robert Samuelson says the American Dream has become too expensive.