Michael Peterson, President and COO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation discussed the connection between a strong fiscal outlook, where our long-term debt is stabilized over time, and a growing, thriving economy. Unfortunately, despite recent improvements in near-term deficits, America’s long-term fiscal challenges remain and this threatens our economic future in communities across the country. Unless we change course, rising debt and interest payments will weigh down our economy, divert resources from critically needed public and private investments, increase the likelihood of a fiscal crisis, and limit our flexibility to respond to such a crisis