This handbook evaluates the persistent problems in the fiscal systems of state and local governments and what can be done to solve them. Each chapter provides a description of the discipline area, examines major developments in policy practices and research, and opines on future prospects.

An up-to-date, comprehensive, and detailed how-to manual for planning and financing successful capital projects, written by a nationally known and award-winning expert on capital budgeting, A. John Vogt. Clearly explains capital budgeting approaches and methods, especially for local jurisdictions under 200,000 in population. Indispensable to managers, assistant managers, finance and budget officials, planning directors, public works administrators, and elected officials for choosing wisely among various approaches, using capital budgeting tools, and analyzing trade-offs during the process. Gathers together and clearly presents the accepted and successful policies, practices, and procedures from across the country and describes in detail every step¿from selecting projects, to planning how to pay for them, to structuring and selling debt. Provides an abundance of local government documents, working papers, charts, checklists, and examples from successful jurisdictions. Approach and recommendations consistent with the National Advisory Council on State and Local Government Budgeting, emphasizing goal setting and planning. Tips on prioritizing projects, winning political support for projects, and selling debt successfully. A book for every manager¿s bookshelf.

Traditionally, economics training in public finances has focused more on tax than public expenditure issues, and within expenditure, more on policy considerations than the more mundane matters of public expenditure management. For many years, the IMF's Public Expenditure Management Division has answered specific questions raised by fiscal economists on such missions. Based on this experience, these guidelines arose from the need to provide a general overview of the principles and practices observed in three key aspects of public expenditure management: budget preparation, budget execution, and cash planning. For each aspect of public expenditure management, the guidelines identify separately the differing practices in four groups of countries - the francophone systems, the Commonwealth systems, Latin America, and those in the transition economies. Edited by Barry H. Potter and Jack Diamond, this publication is intended for a general fiscal, or a general budget, advisor interested in the macroeconomic dimension of public expenditure management.