Throughout the recent recession, governments at the local, state, and federal level have dealt with declining revenue and increased demands for resources. Recent estimates suggest that this pattern will continue for the foreseeable future. This roundtable will bring together scholars to discuss how budgeting is done in tough economic times, as well as what changes could be made that would be beneficial to the budget process. Participants will discuss the role that experts can and do play in the budgeting process, methods for citizens to be involved in the budgeting process, whether ineffective programs tend to be targeted for cuts, and what impact a dysfunctional federal budget process has on outcomes.