Each unit students are to relate specific sources to module material. Students are required to make one original substantive post (three to four paragraphs) that addresses the specific discussion by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. CST and two peer posts (responses to his or her classmates’ posts that are two to three paragraphs each) by 11:59 p.m. CST Sunday. All posts must utilize and cite material from the unit’s course information/readings, including correct internal citations and a complete reference list.

Substantive Postings

What are substantive postings? Substantive postings include:

• Responding to discussion questions as well as discourse between students related to subject matter within the course. This includes posting responses to the posts of others within a Discussion Area. A response may express agreement with or challenge to the point of view expressed, supported by references (citations) to the text, lecture, or outside readings.
• Contributing to the discussion based upon course content, theory, or personal experiences, not simply personal opinions.
• ONLY ONE short direct quote per post permitted.

Discussion

Instructions:  Budget execution impacts a government (local, state, or federal) at all levels.  Respond to the following questions:

• What are the principle objectives of each of the four subsystems of the budget execution phase?
• How has each helped achieve greater efficiencies in government?

Utilize Unit 6 course readings and one of the following outside sources to respond to the questions above:

• The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) (http://www.ncsl.org/)
• Council of State Governments (CSG) (http://www.csg.org/)
• International City/County Management Association (ICMA) (http://www.icma.org/)
• National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) (http://www.nasbo.org/)

Unit 4: Case Study 2: What decisions did California Gov. Jerry Brown have to make to balance the California State Budget?