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When considering bond financing, state and local policymakers should: 

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

The federal government must strive for long-term fiscal balance.

At the federal level, the two categories of budgetary expenditures are entitlement and discretionary spending. 

Federal policymakers should develop a comprehensive system for financing Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) that includes a new social insurance program to provide a basic level of LTSS.

Ideally, the federal government should finance LTSS through a universal, comprehensive, and publicly administered program such as Medicare or similar social insurance program of shared risk. <

There is an increasing interest in taxes on energy consumption.

Policymakers should take action to raise revenues, promote energy conservation, and reduce climate change.

Carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems that would increase energy-related and other prices must include measures to compensate for regional differences in energy costs and to adequately protect cons

Excise taxes are sales taxes on individual commodities, services, or transactions such as motor fuel, cigarettes, or home sales. For example, motor fuel taxes fund highways.