Rep. Bilirakis to Host 2 Interactive Budget Workshops May 2

"We must build a solid foundation for economic growth, and that begins with improving our nation's fiscal situation," Bilirakis said."These events will give local taxpayers an inside look at the budget and let them use their priorities to create a model federal budget."

The free workshops will be conducted in cooperation with the Concord Coalition, a national, non-partisan grassroots organization that has developed a program to foster understanding of the federal budget process. The first workshop begins at 4 p.m. at the CARES Center, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, in Hudson. The second begins at 6:30 p.m. at Seven Springs Middle School, 2441 Little Road, in Trinity.

The workshops, titled Principles & Priorities, teach participants about the federal budget and provide realistic insight into how some of the policy proposals in today's news would affect the nation's bottom line and the constituents of the 9th district.

Participants will be able to review current spending priorities, suggest principles for the future, and then apply these principles by selecting from several dozen options being discussed in Washington. They will then work in small groups to recommend a package of policies to put America on a sound budgetary foundation for the next several years. The workshops conclude with a wrap-up discussion of the budget results and the lessons learned from the exercise.

To RSVP, attendees should call (727) 773-2871 or email FL09RSVP@mail.house.gov.

WHAT: Principles and Priorities Budget Workshops

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 2012

• 4 p.m. - CARES Center, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Hudson, FL

• 6:30 p.m. - Seven Springs Middle School, 2441 Little Road, Trinity, FL

WHY: Better understanding of the federal budget, causes of deficits