Sequester to affect state and local finances

Sequester to affect state and local finances

Since January, much of the talk from the political class has revolved around sequestration, the other half of the fiscal cliff that mandated 2% across-the-board spending cuts. While the political rhetoric associated with those cuts often has painted them as catastrophic, we believe the fallout for most states is likely to be fairly benign. The

Facing down the fiscal cliff (replay)

Facing down the fiscal cliff (replay)

How much might the fiscal cliff disrupt the economy? Improving trends in the U.S. private sector — from housing prices to consumer confidence — contrast with the possible negative effects on growth as the public sector moves toward fiscal consolidation. This recording has been edited from its original format.