Program Description

How do U.S. Congressional and Missouri General Assembly budget decisions impact Missouri communities? What do funders need to know?

Public budgets — and the revenue systems that support them — are critical policy instruments of our government. They reflect our values and priorities through decisions on how to tax residents and businesses and spend these collective resources. These decisions impact what families have to spend on basic needs and invest in their future, define the size of the government and its role in the national economy, and affect the lives of all Americans.

Understanding budget and tax policy within our current political and economic climate can help philanthropic leaders plan their grantmaking work more intentionally. Missouri funders and philanthropic advisors are invited to join Philanthropy Missouri (PhilMO) for a briefing on both the federal and state budget through the lens of their impact on Missouri and relevance to grantmaking practice.

Federal Budget Update

For many years, PhilMO has partnered with Economic Opportunity Funders' (EOF) to bring content from their multi-day annual federal budget and tax briefing to Missouri funders. This year, we will view curated excerpts from the two-day program that feature Sharon Parrott, President of Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, providing an overview of the federal budget, discuss current and upcoming budget and tax debates, and offer insights on potential impact on families, workers, and communities.

The Missouri Budget Landscape

Following our excerpt viewing, the conversation will continue with a Missouri focus. Amy Blouin, President & CEO of the Missouri Budget Project, will discuss the implications of the federal budget process in Missouri and also update Missouri grantmakers on the state budget process.

We will include ample time for your questions.

Speakers

Sharon Parrott - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Sharon Parrott is President of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Parrott has nearly three decades of experience at the Center and in government. Her expertise spans a broad range of issues, including policies to reduce poverty and expand opportunity, the intersection of the federal budget and low-income programs, and the use of data and analysis to inform policy debates.

Parrott has worked at the Center throughout her career. She has also held public positions, including two years as Associate Director of the Education, Income Maintenance, and Labor Division in the Office of Management and Budget and four years as Secretary Sebelius’ Counselor for Human Services Policy at the Department of Health and Human Services. She also spent two years as Senior Policy Advisor on TANF, SNAP/food stamps, and Medicaid for the District of Columbia's Department of Human Services. Her work has involved designing budget and policy proposals, crafting regulations, implementing programs, and addressing management and budget challenges in public agencies. 

She received a B.A. in economics and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan.

Amy Blouin - Missouri Budget Project

Amy Blouin founded the Missouri Budget Project in 2003 and serves as its President & CEO.  Amy has a Master of Social Work from St. Louis University (1996), and a BA in Political Science and Religious Studies from Loras College, Dubuque Iowa (1991). Amy previously served as the Director of Advocacy for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and as Government Relations Staff for the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Amy has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Louis University, spent time working in Central America and with the Iowa Department of Economic Development European Office in Frankfurt, Germany.

Amy has worked on state tax and fiscal policy issues for more than 25 years and has received regional and statewide recognition for her work.  In 2012, the St. Louis Business Journal named Amy “One of the Most Influential St. Louisans.” Other awards include a “40 Under 40” award from the St. Louis Business Journal and the Missouri Women’s Network 2010 Award for Advancing Women’s Equality.

Special thanks to the Missouri Budget Project and Economic Opportunity Funders (EOF) for partnering with us on this program.