The first writing assignment is an individual assignment and must be at a minimum 3 pages, but not exceed 5 pages, typed double-spaced with 1-inch margins all around each page and in 12-point standard font.

While budgeting is a tool used at all levels of government and the private sector to lay out their historical, current and future spending, each jurisdiction does budgeting differently. You will choose a state or city in the United States from the list below.  Please provide an overview of the jurisdiction, the problems and programs they highlight in their budget documents and any other information you feel is pertinent to the understanding of their budget. Refer to the textbook, class discussion and current events. Please provide charts, graphs and tables of the budget condition as necessary.

There are a number of budget documents. Please focus your attention on the most recent operating budget approved by the legislature or signed by the governor/mayor. Google “[Insert city/state] budget.” The budget you want to look at is designated by the word, “adopted,” “approved,” “final,” “enacted”, or “proposed” (least preferred, but acceptable) budget. Find an operating budget that includes 2020/2021. Please take advantage of document(s) your state or city has that summarizes and/or explains to the public how to read their budget.

Also, don’t be afraid to do research on your city or state outside of reading budget documents. You might find better context to understand the significance of the current budget picture.