28 Work Days 13 Appropriation’s bills One Emergency Supplemental The Largest Reorganization of the Federal Government in fifty years Medicare Prescription Drugs Trade Promotion Authority Terrorism Re-Insurance Debt Limit Patient Bill of Rights Energy Legislation Bankruptcy Reform

July 9, 2004 Dear Congressman, Competitive sourcing is vital to limiting the size of government. It allows the private sector to offer more cost-effective alternatives for those commercial jobs performed by bureaucrats. Just like in the real world, the highest-value service receives the contract. Regardless of whether the government continues to perform the service or a private company takes over, cost savings are achieved in the process and taxpayers can breathe a little easier.

What: CSE Town Hall featuring U.S. Rep. Paul D. Ryan and CSE President Matt Kibbe When: Tuesday, July 27 at 6:00 P.M. Where: The Brat Stop/Parkway Chateau in Kenosha (just west of I-94 on Hwy 50)

What: CSE Town Hall featuring U.S. Rep. Paul D. Ryan and CSE President Matt Kibbe When: Tuesday, July 27 at 6:00 P.M. Where: The Brat Stop/Parkway Chateau in Kenosha (just west of I-94 on Hwy 50)

June 22, 2004 Dear Representative, This week, you will be given the opportunity to vote on amendments to H.R. 3973, the Spending Control Act of 2004. While we agree that H.R. 3973 represents a good start for budget enforcement, the bill can be improved by adding some teeth that will really help control spending. On behalf of the millions of taxpayers represented by the undersigned organizations, we urge you to vote the amendments listed below that would improve the enforcement measures of H.R. 3973.

Dear Representative: On behalf of the 360,000 members of Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE), I urge you to vote in favor of tough budget enforcement mechanisms to control spending when the House of Representatives considers H.R. 3973, the Spending Control Act of 2004.

Dear Representative: On behalf of the 360,000 members of Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE), I urge you to vote in favor of tough budget enforcement mechanisms to control spending when the House of Representatives considers H.R. 3973, the Spending Control Act of 2004.

©2004 Copley News Service, 6/14/2004 It looks like Congress won't pass a budget this year. "So what?" you say, and rightfully so. The federal government will go on without interruption. As a former member of the House Budget and Appropriations Committees, I can say with some experience that congressional budgeting is playacting anyway, and all the political hand-wringing is just stagecraft. The ersatz congressional budget lacks the two defining characteristics of real budgeting: binding budget constraints and enforceable spending priorities.

Monday evening brought the beginning of another busy week at The North Carolina General Assembly. From The State Budget in the House to the withdrawal of HB1661 (Cap Gas Tax Variable Rate), support of increased spending and taxes ruled the day.