While the fiscal cliff has been the main focus of recent news coverage regarding the national budget, it fits into a larger discussion about America's debt. While the conversation has largely been between Congress and the president, as well as some inclusion of business and union leaders, national debt organizations are using grassroots tactics to inform the public about the crisis.

The Supreme Court decided it will address the issue of same-sex marriage on Friday and will make a decision on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in California. While this will certainly be an issue to watch in the future, the court will not hear cases until March. However, there are other important things to watch this week:

Two years, seven months, and nine days. That was the tenure of Charlie Crist’s official status as a self-proclaimed independent. On Friday evening, the former Republican Governor of Florida jumped on his Twitter account for the first time since Thanksgiving and declared himself an adoring new member of the Democratic Party:

On Wednesday President Obama met with the Business Roundtable to cover his plan to balance the budget and hear business leaders' concerns over the debt ceiling.

Lisa Berlanga, Executive Director of UPforEd:

Teacher evaluation reform is long overdue in the San Diego Unified School District. The benefits of overhauling the system could result in better educational outcomes for students, but there is resistance to changing this old-school process that harms not only kids, but also teachers.