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After a budget has been completed, it must be implemented or carried out. Like the other stages of the process, the execution of a budget is unavoidably political. This stage provides ample opportunity for tension between the legislative and executive branches and between various political actors as they compete for control over policy. As the conditions and realities that existed when the budget was enacted often change, the execution of the budget also involves the balancing of stability with flexibility and often competition between those who seek to see the budget faithfully implemented and those who would seek to achieve in execution what they were not able to achieve in thier efforts to shape the budget. This week we will explore the political nature of budget execution.

Discussion Board Forum 3

Topic: The Politics of Budget Implementation

After public budgets have been created and passed, they must be implemented. This implementation phase often creates a tension between the executive and legislative branches of government and opportunities for political influence in the final result of a budget. For this week’s discussion board post, please explain political interests that may seek to alter a budget in the implementation stage, methods that may be used to alter a public budget or it’s effects, and the balance between fidelity and flexibility that may be necessary to address changing circumstances.