Leading scholars and U.S. policymakers to debate federal budget challenges March 20-21 at WUSTL

March 2, 2009 -- Washington University School of Law and the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies will bring together leading experts for "Federal Budget and Tax Policy for a Sound Fiscal Future," March 20-21.

The conference is free and open to the public; registration however, is required.

"This is an important time to engage in lively discussion and debate about the federal budget challenges we face," says Cheryl Block, conference organizer and professor of law at WUSTL.

"This conference brings together an exciting group of policymakers, academic experts, and professionals with diverse viewpoints."

Conference discussion panels will focus on budget process rules, budget process reform, entitlements, tax expenditures, and budget accounting.

Panel presenters and commentators are leading scholars in economics, law, political science, and public policy from universities, government, and non-profit public policy organizations around the country.

Participants include the founding Director of the Congressional Budget Office, a former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, the current and a former Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, a Special Assistant to the Office of Management and Budget Director, a Treasury Department economist, and professionals from the Brookings Institution, The Concord Coalition, Heritage Foundation, New America Foundation and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Conference attendees are invited to participate in the discussion following each panel presentation.

For more information about the conference and to register, visit http://law.wustl.edu/centeris/index.asp?ID=7086.

This conference offers 6.7 MCLE credits.