CRFB Panels Examine Bailout Options, Fiscal Future

October 8 - The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget held two panels to discuss the recent fiscal crisis and its effect on future policy. The first panel, which featured Mark Zandi, Martin Baily, Rob Dugger, Dean Baker, and Tim Adams, examined the conditions that made the bailout necessary, the prospects for recovery, and some actions the government might take to avert further crisis. The second panel, featuring Leon Panetta, William Frenzel, Alice Rivlin, Rudolph Penner, and David Walker, discussed how the bailout and overall crisis should affect future policymaking, the current and future status of the US budget, and advice for the next presidential administration. Attendees to the event also received a handout with the October update to US Budget Watch's "Fiscal Voter Guide to the 2008 Election."