World Perspectives

Paying the Bill for the Farm Bill

The final conference report farm bill, which is now on the president’s desk awaiting signature, totals $428 billion for its 2019-2023 authorization period; most references in the media to a $867 billion cost are based on a 10-year baseline for the five-year bill. Because of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (better known as the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act or GRH), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is required to provide a 10-year budget estimate for legislation and assume that the changes made to statutory programs would continue for that period (even though the authorization is only five years). Compared to the original House bill drafted in April, the final conference report adds $1.8 billion in direct...

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Mercosur Regional Analysis

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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