Economix: Bruce Bartlett Joins Economix

Goodman/Van Riper

Bruce Bartlett, an economist who specializes in budget and tax issues, is joining our panel of Daily Economists.

Mr. Bartlett worked in public service for many years, including for Representatives Ron Paul and Jack Kemp and Senator Roger Jepsen; as executive director of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress; senior policy analyst in the Reagan White House; and deputy assistant secretary for economic policy at the Treasury Department during the George H.W. Bush administration.

Lately he has broken ranks with many Republicans, however, by arguing that tax increases are necessary to reduce the deficit. David Leonhardt wrote about Mr. Bartlett’s book on this subject in a 2009 column.

We’re looking forward to having Mr. Bartlett weigh in every Tuesday about the intersection of politics and economics. His first column, on the real problems with Social Security and Medicare, will run tomorrow.

Article source: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=524e6f4f5fe09d3b610d75ce783bdd5e