The budget policymaking process involves actors from the executive and legislative branches of the government. Since these actors have different and usually incompatible goals, they are in constant competition to influence the outcome of the policy process in a way to serve their self-interests. The authorities and tools owned by each actor, as well as structural factors, determine the winner. This book analyzes the executive success in the policy process by focusing on mayoral budgetary policy proposals in large US cities.------