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When economic conditions permit, states should accumulate budget reserves adequate to maintain services during recessions.

Deficit-reduction efforts should avoid cuts in programs that serve low- and moderate-income populations. 

States should not tie essential spending programs to unstable revenue sources. 

Higher levels of government should provide adequate resources when mandating functions to lower levels of government.

Services should be implemented and operated by the level of government that can most appropriately and efficiently deliver them. 

Public-benefit programs should ensure that families headed by grandparents and other caregiver relatives receive sufficient support for economic security and well-being. 

Tax and spending decisions should be the purview of the legislative branch. 

Legislators should not adopt supermajority voting requirements for budgetary or tax matters. 

Governments should not limit their ability to address future economic and political changes and the need for investments.

Efforts to balance the budget or address shortfalls should remain the purview of the legislative branch. They should be fully negotiated by elected officials. 

Policymakers should provide for transparency and honesty in the budget process. 

Budget gimmicks to make legislation appear as if it has been adequately offset should not be used.