Budgeting and appropriations activities are central to the political process.  Political strategies for formulation of budgets, effectiveness and political consequences of various executive budgeting techniques are examined, with discussion of municipal, state and national processes.  Strategies for control of federal spending will also be discussed.

Required texts:

James Gosling, Budgetary Politics in American Governments, 4th ed., 2005.
Riley and Colby, Practical Government Budgeting:  Workbook, 1991.

Students are expected to read a major newspaper such as the New York Times daily, and be prepared to discuss ongoing events concerning national, state and local budget preparation in class, applying concepts from required texts.  Watch the news for stories relevant to the class. Student Government is making papers available free in classroom buildings on both campuses.

Course Requirements:

Students will be responsible on exams for all materials covered in assigned readings, a list of which is attached.  Attendance is obligatory for all sessions of the course.  Repeated absences are noticed.  Learning is easier if you attend class.  Get the habit, if you haven't already got it.

There will be two hour exams and a final exam with substantial emphasis on assigned readings. Makeup exams will only be given under truly extraordinary circumstances (e.g. hospitalization or if severe weather prevents class attendance), and only if the instructor is notified in advance of the reason.  Use the phone or email address above.

Students will be expected to summarize in 15 minutes for the class one exercise from Riley & Colby on the date assigned.  In most cases these will be team efforts, of two-three persons.  Sign up soon and prepare to teach us about it.  Hint:  read it, think about it, meet as a group and discuss it, and outline your summary before class.  Present it as if you are a professional budget analyst.  A sign-up sheet will be circulated by the instructor.

Students must be prepared to discuss exercises and readings on dates assigned.  All written assignments must be handed in to the instructor on paper on the date due.  Due to lack of reliability of the USM email utility, written assignments will NOT be accepted via email. Class discussion will earn extra credit for otherwise marginal grades. Grades will be assigned on the basis of total points accumulated (not on the basis of a curve), as follows:   A = 900 points, B = 800 points, C= 700 points, etc.

A final grade will be determined as follows:

                Exercise/presentation       200 points
                Two hour exams              400 points (200 points each)
                Final exam                       400 points
                                                     1,000 points = 100% of final grade

Academic Support for Students with Disabilities

Students who may need assistance due to a disability are encouraged to contact the instructor and the Office of Academic Support for Students with Disabilities, located in Luther Bonney 242. Phone number:  780-4706; TTY:  780-4395.  You are all welcome in this class, and reasonable accommodations will be cheerfully made.

A Note on Civility

Arriving late for class is rude and a distraction for your classmates and the instructor.  Likewise for falling asleep or talking in class to your neighbor while someone else is speaking.  Likewise if your cell phone rings during class.  These behaviors suggest one doesn't care about the class, the instructor, or one's fellow students--not a very clever message.  An ounce of courtesy is worth a pound of excuses.

Use a little common sense:  It's not very smart to irritate your class mates--who might help you if you miss a class--or someone who must evaluate your performance for a grade--who might later write a letter of recommendation for your admission to law school or for a job.  Show respect for others, and they will be more likely to show respect for you.  Remember:  friends don't let friends drive with cell phones...

READING ASSIGNMENTS

Jan 17  Introduction

Jan 19  Public Budgeting in Perspective                         Gosling, Preface, Ch.1
                                                                                    Riley & Colby, Preface, Ch. 1.
Jan 31  Budgetary Decision Making                              Gosling, Ch.2
                                                                                    Riley & Colby, Ch.2
Feb 7  Taxing & Spending                                            Gosling, Ch.3
                                                                                    Riley & Colby, Ch.3
Feb 14  Defending Budget Proposals                            Riley & Colby, Ch.5

WINTER VACATION!

Feb 28           HOUR EXAM (only material above)

Mar 2  National Budgeting                                           Gosling, Ch.4
                                                                                    Riley & Colby, Ch.4

Mar 7  More National Budgeting                                  Riley & Colby, Ch.5

Mar 14 Still More National Budgeting                          Riley & Colby, Ch.6

Mar 21 Budgeting in the States                                    Gosling, Ch. 5

SPRING VACATION!

Apr 4  NO CLASS!!!

Apr 6   HOUR EXAM (only material above since last exam)

Apr 11 Budgeting in Local Governments                      Gosling, Ch. 6
                                                                                   Riley & Colby, Ch.7

Apr 18 Capital Budgeting                                            Riley & Colby, Ch.8

Apr 25 Budget Execution                                            Gosling, Ch. 7
            & Financial Management                                 Riley & Colby, Ch.9

May 2  Stability & Change in Budgeting                      Gosling, Ch. 8
                                                                                  Riley & Colby, Ch.10

May 11 FINAL EXAM:  Thursday, 1:30 PM (note different time...), here, everything, all semester; emphasis on material since last exam.