Today is National Wear Red Day, sponsored by the American Heart Association. We take a look at what contributes to both our physical and fiscal health.

State legislatures and governors are busy preparing their budgets for the next fiscal year (which for most states, begins July 1). The favored approach to reducing near-term deficits seems to be a mix of spending cuts and tax increases.

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

As you well know, congressional candidates of all political stripes pledged fiscal restraint and responsibility in the run up to the mid-term elections. But as our new ads remind the victors, taxpayers plan to hold them to their word; and so do we.

In today’s Roll Call, Kathleen Hunter writes that, with mid-term elections approaching, Congress continues to play politics with serious fiscal issues. Democrats, with a few exceptions, are the only ones submitting House earmark requests this year, which Republicans hope will strengthen their hand to portray the majority party as oblivious to deficit concerns. The circumstances [...]

*Unless you’re a U.S. Taxpayer

In today’s Wall Street Journal, Andrew Biggs and Jason Richwine write that it takes private workers 13.5 months to earn what federal workers make in 12. Pay cuts, layoffs and the highest unemployment rates in decades have reignited a debate over the relative treatment of public and private workers. USA Today reported in March that [...]

Month after month, in poll after poll, Americans identify out-of-control government spending and debt among their greatest concerns; Washington may finally be ready to listen. In a Roll Call piece yesterday several lawmakers admitted they are wary of new spending measures that aren’t offset. Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA) explained, “[W]e’re in a recovery … So [...]

What you paid Last week, taxpayers spent roughly $107 million on Congress. Salaries of Members of Congress and their allowances/week: Speaker of the House: $223,500/52 = $4,299 House and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders: ($193,400/52) x 4 = $14,877 Other Representatives and Senators: ($174,000/52) x 530 = $1,773,462 Allowance for staff salaries and misc: ($1,500,000/52) [...]