Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a prominent nonpartisan think tank and policy institute based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1981, it conducts rigorous research and analysis on federal and state fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families. The organization is widely cited by policymakers, journalists, and advocates for its data-driven work on the federal budget, tax policy, health care, and economic security.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1981 by Robert Greenstein, a former administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture. Its creation was a direct response to the sweeping budget and tax proposals of the Reagan administration, particularly the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and deep cuts to social safety net programs. Initially operating as a special project of the Field Foundation, it quickly gained recognition for its detailed analyses of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 and its impacts on programs like Aid to Families with Dependent Children and the Food Stamp Program. Early support from foundations like the Ford Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation allowed it to become an independent, incorporated organization.

Mission and policy focus

The core mission is to reduce poverty and inequality and to promote fiscal responsibility through policies that expand opportunity and support economic mobility. Its work is fundamentally focused on the federal budget and tax code, examining how decisions made by Congress and the White House affect different income groups. A central tenet is that budget choices are moral documents reflecting national priorities, and it advocates for policies that prioritize low-income Americans. This mission extends to state-level fiscal policy through its State Fiscal Project, which provides analysis and technical assistance to state-level partners across the United States.

Research and analysis methodology

The organization employs a meticulous, evidence-based methodology centered on quantitative analysis of government data from sources like the Congressional Budget Office, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its analysts, often with backgrounds in economics, law, and social policy, dissect legislative proposals, executive actions, and economic trends to model their distributional impacts. Reports typically feature detailed charts, tables, and long-term projections, emphasizing how policies affect revenue, spending, and the well-being of households. This nonpartisan, numbers-driven approach is designed to provide credible, actionable information to policymakers on both sides of the political aisle.

Key policy areas and impact

Its research and advocacy span several interconnected domains. In health policy, it is a leading authority on Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act, analyzing coverage expansions and financing. On tax policy, it scrutinizes proposals for their fairness, often opposing regressive tax cuts and promoting expansions of credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. In housing and food security, it analyzes funding for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Section 8. Its work has significantly influenced major legislative debates, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and annual appropriations bills, and is frequently cited in media outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Organizational structure and funding

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of experts from academia, law, and the nonprofit sector. Day-to-day operations are led by a president, with Sharon Parrott succeeding founder Robert Greenstein in 2021. It employs over 100 staff, including policy analysts, communications specialists, and government affairs experts. Funding comes primarily from private foundations such as the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation, as well as from individual donors. It does not accept government grants. Its state-level work is coordinated through the State Priorities Partnership, a network of independent state-level policy organizations across the country.

Category:Think tanks based in Washington, D.C. Category:Economic policy institutes in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1981