Spring 1999

OUTLINE OF PPA 230/Public Budgeting and Finance
Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration & International Affairs
California State University, Sacramento
Instructor: Diane Cummins
Class Room: MND 1030
Office Business 3029

Introduction

This course is designed to give you a basic understanding of the process, policy and politics of public budgets at the state and local level. The budget is one of the most significant policy documents in the state affecting every citizen yet it is understood in detail by a relatively few. A public budget is about policy choices – how much money to raise, how to raise it and how to spend it. Because the budget is about choices, it reflects the priorities and values of those who shape the budget. The California State Budget is the seventh largest in the world because of the size of this State’s economy. The Budget is complex and even somewhat mysterious yet it is of interest to every advocacy group who would like to see the resources allocated in different ways.

You may not be able to put a budget together at the end of this class but the goal is to make you familiar with budget terms, budget processes and budget players. You will gain a knowledge of where California’s money comes from, how it’s allocated, how it is constrained and how politics influence this important activity.

Class Organization

This class is a seminar and therefore depends on your attendance and participation. You should come to class prepared to assigned reading and you must participate in class discussions.

There are a number of class readings that are intended to expose you to state and local budgeting. On occasion, additional handouts may be available if there are articles that would be useful. Your instructor will add to the material by using case studies from past and current budget situations. Guest speakers will be added to provide a different perspective and depth to the discussion.

Required Reading:

Text: Rubin, Irene S. 1997. The Politics of Public Budgeting: Getting and Spending, Borrowing and Balancing. Third Edition, Chatham House Publishers, Inc., Chatham, NJ. A general overview of federal, state and local budgeting.

Wilson, James Q. 1989. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and Why They Do It. Basic Books, Inc., New York, NY. A discussion of the oft forgotten bureaucracy – those who actually implement the budget and policy.

Birnbaum, Jefrey H., and Alan S. Murray. Showdown at Gucci Gulch: Lawmakers, Lobbyists, and the Unlikely Triumph of Tax Reform. Vintage Books, Random House, New York, NY. A look at Congress during the 1986 tax reform fight by two who were reporters for the Wall Street Journal.

The Sacramento Bee. The Bee covers both local and State budgets as well as most of the important issues of the day. You should be familiar with the Bee and use the information in class discussions and reports.

You will also be expected to read all of the major budget documents including the Governor’s State of the State address, the Governor’s Budget Summary, the Governor’s Budget Highlights, the Overview and the Analysis of the Governor’s 1999-00 Budget (LAO) and the Perspectives and Issues put out by the LAO (Legislative Analyst’s Office). Most of these documents are available on the Web though you should get copies as well.

Suggested Readings and Sources: These are suggested for a fuller understanding of budgets. All of the books are on 3-day reserve at the CSUS library.

The Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle have good budget coverage and are worth looking at.

Wildavsky, Aaron 1988. The New Politics of the Budgetary Process. Scott, Foreman & Co., Boston, Mass. And his earlier The Politics of the Budgetary Process. These focus on the federal budget and Wildavsky is a legend among budget types.

Krolak, Richard 1994. California’s Budget Dance: Issues & Process. California Journal Press, Second Edition, Sacramento, CA. This is the most current review of the state budgeting process.

Redman, Eric 1973. The Dance of Legislation. Simon and Schuster, New York, NY. This book describes the creation of the National Health Corp from the perspective of a congressional staff person.

Office Hours:

You can find me in Room 3029 of the Business Administration Building. I will be on campus from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays before class. My campus phone is (916) 278-5591 and you can leave messages. You may also call me at work at (916) 324-0341.

Grading:

You will be graded on written assignments, book reviews, attendance and participation. Three unexcused absences mean an automatic drop of the course.

Individual writing assignment (4)	5 points each
Book reviews (2)	10 points each
Team writing/presentation (2)	20 points each
Attendance/participation	20 points

Individual Writing Assignments:

You will be assigned no more than four papers that will be no longer than four pages long. The topics will be assigned in class. Each assignment will be graded and returned the next week. Grades will be based on content and proper style.

Book Reviews:

You are required to complete two book reports of the assigned books Showdown at Gucci Gulch and Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and Why They Do It. Each review will be 10 pages in length and describe the book and how it fits into the course.

Team Writing/Presentation Assignments:

You will have two team writing projects. The first will involve each team picking an issue and writing a proposal to get funding for the issue in the budget. Your team should also be prepared to defend the proposal in front of "critics".

The second project will involve picking a topic/issue (topics from which to choose will be available in class) and tracing that issue through the federal/state/county/city/special district/court budget as appropriate. You will be responsible for explaining the funding level, policy change, how it affects other budgets and how it affects the citizens of California. You should also be prepared to identify the unintended consequences of the policy choice/funding level. Both a written and oral presentation will be required.

You should plan on at least one meeting with your instructor after choosing a topic so that your team is on "the right track". Meetings can be scheduled as soon as you want (the earlier the better).

Style and Writing of Papers:

The Graduate School of Public Policy, Administration & International Affairs has adopted a Style Manual for your use. It is the Style Manual for Political Science (1993), American Political Science Association, Committee on Publications. The use of this manual is mandatory for written reports.

Due Dates for Assignments:

Assignments are due on the dates indicated. Late papers will be graded down by one-half grade for each day they are late.

COURSE OUTLINE

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