Definition

Anything related to government revenue, taxation, and public spending—basically the financial side of keeping a country running. When politicians talk about 'fiscal policy' or 'fiscal responsibility,' they're discussing how much money the government should collect and where it should spend (or not spend) it. It's also used to describe budget periods, as in 'fiscal year,' which rarely aligns with the actual calendar year because governments love making things complicated.

Example Usage

The Finance Minister announced new fiscal measures to reduce the deficit, which is government-speak for 'we're raising taxes or cutting programs.'

Source: Government and finance terminology

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