Political Economic Elemental Researchers and Strategists’ Post

"Political modernization and strong government-civil society collaboration can enhance accountability and pave the way for more effective parliamentary oversight." Ali Fayyad of PartnersJordan. He shares more about #Jordan's commitment to budget transparency here: https://lnkd.in/eHdBiw4d

👛 Holding the purse strings The Brazilian Senate is expected to vote on a bill to set (some) guardrails to congressional budgetary grants this week. Context. These grants allow lawmakers to amend the federal budget and earmark money to finance projects of their choosing. When they work as intended, they are instruments that help cater to the needs of lawmakers’ constituents that would otherwise go unnoticed by the federal administration, such as projects to build new roads, sports facilities, or make municipal upgrades. And they have long been used as political bargaining chips, and governments in Brazil used these earmarks to help whip support ahead of important congressional votes. Yes, but … Since 2013, Brazil’s Congress has expanded its role in amending the federal budget, giving legislators unusual control over how funds are allocated — now comprising nearly a quarter of all discretionary spending. 🔗Read more in our full #BrazilDaily newsletter by Gustavo Ribeiro and Letícia Arcoverde here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d8bFDq6w #Budget #Congress #Lawmakers #Brazil

Times have changed; much of the Budget has already been leaked. In past this would have led to immediate resignation, public enquiry and the expectation of criminal action. Not anymore. 2024 Government leaks huge swathes of Budget plans in advance; toothless fulminating by Speaker of the House. 1996 Budget papers leaked to a journalist. Public inquiry established up to investigate 1969 an opposition backbencher stated one of the budget plans in advance, derailing it leading to a select committee investigation. 1947 Chancellor of the Exchequer Hugh Dalton resigns after leaking budget proposals to a journalist in advance 1936 a cabinet minister leaks budget proposals. He resigns as a minister and MP. See here re past leaks - https://lnkd.in/e9nBzfQb CPS Guidelines re leaks - https://lnkd.in/eSFUcCJh #budget #speaker #leaks https://lnkd.in/eN8KGYUg

💸 It's almost Budget Day! While all eyes (and ears) are on the Minister of Finance's speech tomorrow, our latest blog takes a look at the full budget cycle - what happens before, during, and after Budget Day to authorise Government spending. 🔗 Check out the full blog post 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/gfMUV4wM #engage #government #nzpolitics #politics #engagement #advocacy #budget

Do you know what has bothered me the most today with the budget? It’s the way the whole budget was delivered by Rachel Reeves. Instead of just delivering the budget she had to have continual jibes at the previous government and blame, blame, blame. I certainly didn’t feel any empathy in the budget statement for the public they serve including the “working person”, it just felt like it was full of smirks and jibes. Do politicians not get it? These are peoples lives and businesses that are affected. Have some respect and just deliver the changes rather than using it as a stage to parade and mock the previous government. I appreciate that the House of Commons can have a touch of theatre at times with politicians acting during debates but delivering the budget is not the time to do it when it very clearly significantly affects people and businesses. And I should add that I would have felt the same way if it had been the previous incumbents having a go at the opposition like I’ve just witnessed. It’s not the time. #budget #notthetime #government

I had the opportunity to share my insights in POLITICO's "Ottawa Playbook" yesterday, discussing the recent budget and what mainstream media overlooked in their coverage. Check it out below 👇🏾 👇🏾 #BudgetAnalysis #MediaCoverage #POLITICO

MONDAY OPINION In last week’s opinion piece, our Researcher for Public Finance Mr. Elijah Mumba discussed the constitutional basis and importance of citizen participation in the national budget formulation process. As taxpayers and beneficiaries of public services, citizens have a responsibility to ensure that the budget reflects their needs and priorities. This also enhances transparent governance and acts as a safeguard against the misuse of public funds. In this week's Monday Opinion, we extend this discussion to propose strategies for fostering meaningful and active citizen participation in the forthcoming 2025 national budget formulation. Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/g9gME4D5

"The main obstacles to advancing budget transparency and public participation include weak societal awareness of its importance for good governance, limited public understanding of participation tools, and the absence of a binding legal framework to ensure civil society involvement." - Ali Fayyad, Executive Director, Partners Jordan

I am pleased to share an insightful blog post that discusses the recent decision by a federal judge to temporarily halt the freeze on grant funding initiated by former President Trump. This ruling has significant implications for various sectors that rely on federal grants, and it highlights the ongoing legal challenges surrounding funding allocations. For those interested in the intersection of politics and public funding, this update provides valuable perspectives on the current landscape. Read more about this important development here: https://ift.tt/lJe4zDn.

#newsalert BUDGET VOTE SPEECHES: WHY SO FEW SPECIFICS? The reasons for such generalised budget departmental vote speeches are unpacked in the context of parliamentary process and the composition of South Africa’s seventh administration, popularly known as the Government of National Unity. Subscribe to our newsletter on the latest developments in national government and parliament 👉 https://lnkd.in/eis2a-RX Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch #salegalacademy #parliament #government #southafrica #budget #votes