Midterm Examination

PADM 5301, Public Budgeting

Spring Semester, 2010

Dr. Neubauer

Each of the following questions has multiple parts. I am looking for one solid, well-written paragraph per part of each question. In other words, if a question has three parts I am looking for a three-paragraph answer. Please write carefully and formally. Write in your own "voice" without quoting or paraphrasing the textbook or other sources. This examination is due to be returned by February 23, 2010.

1. Public budgeting involves complex decision-making processes by participants including budget analysts, agency personnel and elected officials. What is rational decision making (the rational comprehensive model of decision making) and why is this approach not practical in public budgeting? What is incrementalism (the incremental decision making model) and why is it a more practical approach to public budgeting in terms of the base and the increment or decrement? What is the limited rationality (mixed scanning) approach to public budgeting? (3 paragraphs)

2. How big should government (all governments) be as a percentage of the total economy of a nation? Given that this question is probably impossible to answer, explain how you would approach this question in terms of evidences that government is too small and in terms of evidences that government is too large within a nation and its economy. (probably 2 or 3 paragraphs)

3. Identify each of the four budget phases of the budget cycle and the major actors (roles) in each of the four phases. For each actor indicate what behavior is generally expected of each actor. In other words, what is the responsibility of each actor to a constituency? (4 paragraphs, organized by the four phases)

4. Identify the major sources of revenue for the national (federal) government of the United States, the state governments, and local governments. (3 paragraphs by level of government)

5. Identify and explain three aspects of a "good" tax. You can interpret the word "good" from either a political or a moral perspective. (3 paragraphs by aspects)