Abstract This paper, using Pennsylvania as a model, demonstrates the differences between statebudgeting policies and federalbudgeting policies. It shows how the budgeting techniques in the federal government have some major differences, when compared to those in the Pennsylvania State government; these differences include a lack of a separate capital budget, different budget cycles and timelines, and budgetary policy differences.
From the Paper "The federal government uses only one budget to lay out its financial obligations, whereas Pennsylvania uses two separate budgets. The single operating budget used by the federal government is required to outline federal expenditures from purchases to service contracts. Pennsylvania, however, has one budget that outlines services, entitlements and education expenses, and a different budget to make new purchases on capital improvements. The former is called the General Fund, and the latter is the Capital budget. Pennsylvania uses two budgets because the General Fund is used for purchases and contracts that will take place within that fiscal year, and the Capital budget is used to forecast capital purchases in the next five years. In this manner, Pennsylvania can keep better track of its assets and have a tighter grip on where its money is spent. The biggest advantage to having a separate budget for capital improvements is it allows the possibility of change. When funding is appropriated on the federal level, the department gets its money all at once and builds whatever it needs. For a state, though, a program may be feasible at the time of its announcement, but may have to be restricted due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. September 11th and the economic downfall.) "
Abstract This paper describes the process through which the New York State Executive Budget is developed and appropriations made for programs. It looks at the state's system of executive budgeting, the four categories of classifying appropriations and the political process involved.
From the Paper "New York State's budget process is said to follow a format and process that is dictated by the State Constitution with additional details and actions prescribed by ..."
Abstract This paper explains how PAYGO aims to balance the statebudget as well as control deficits by either raising or lowering tax cuts. The paper first discusses how PAYGO is being used today and its effects on the budget deficit. The paper then identifies the problems of PAYGO and its impact on the Obama administration's recession stimulus package. The paper explores the reasons in favor of retaining PAYGO and concludes that PAYGO is a useful fiscal policy tool that helps to control and balance the budget.
Outline:
Introduction
PAYGO's History
How PAYGO Works
How PAYGO is Being Used Today
Effects of PAYGO on the Budget Deficit
Problems Facing PAYGO
Stimulus Package Debate
Reasons for Retaining PAYGO
Improvements in PAYGO Policies and Laws
Conclusion
From the Paper "Budgeting is very important as it enables people to keep track of their finances. This is because they will account for the revenues they expect to get and the expenses they are likely to incur in the course of various transactions they engage in. Just as individuals and businesses budget for their current and future operations within specific time frames, the state also undertakes its own unique form of budgeting. It has to budget on how much money it will allocate to various sectors of the economy so as to increase the wealth in the economy and enhance equal distribution of resources across all sectors."
Abstract The paper discusses how a change in state spending and income has alarmed tax-payers and businessmen alike. The paper relates that the Iraq war and public services sector seem to have dominated New Hampshire's budget for the past few years. The paper notes that state government programs have decreased, which include highways and state employees, while federal funds are decreasing or have essentially become non-existent. The paper includes the category totals for the 2006 - 2007 biennial state operating budget.
From the Paper "During the General Court's annual sessions and throughout the year, the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant (LBA) Budget Division provides technical staff assistance in the areas of finance, accounting, and budgeting to members of the Legislature and its committees. It also assists in preparing the operating and capital budgets. The LBA staff provides aid and information to special study committees and commissions. It also reviews all programs or activities of state government which are required by statute to determine discretionary and non-discretionary State spending (State p 2)."
Abstract This paper discusses the federalbudget deficit and various strategies that can be formulated to address it. Particularly important are several budgetary techniques employed at the state level, specifically Georgia, that are effective at controlling spending without increasing taxation. Private research institutes, such as the Cato Institute, often propose more radical solutions but these are indicative of the importance of controlling the deficit.
From the Paper "Most analysts readily admit that the federal budget deficit is bordering on the unmanageable. Between geopolitical events such as the Iraq War, numerous petrochemical industry developments, and natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, increasing deficits at the federal level have been the modus operandi of the current administration: "The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) announced on August 26th that the fiscal year 2004 federal budget deficit will be an estimated $480 billion, and that deficits could total $5 trillion over the next 10 years" (Budget par.1). While certainly state budgets are not of the same magnitude as the federal government's budget, they are similarly devised and the federal government would be well-advised to appropriate some of the fiscal controls that many states have adopted. Georgia, for example, utilizes a revenue shortfall reserve program that is mandated by law (Georgia). Essentially, this fund is created..."
Abstract This paper analyzes the main concerns of the founders when the wrote the Constitution of the United States, explaining that the delegates wanted limits on the federal government's power over the states and the citizens of the nation. Because of their experience with the British crown and the absence of freedom that existed in England for the common man at the time, the framers wanted to ensure that at no time could the federal government reduce state or individual freedoms. The paper explains that this is why the Bill of Rights was included as the first set of amendments to the Constitution, as it directly ensured that certain freedoms were protected. These amendments also stipulated that the federal government had enumerated power, rather than absolute power; an action "intended to keep the central government weak and to the keep the political power close to the people".
Abstract "This paper reviews the differences and similarities between federal and state employment law on several issues, such as workers' compensation and drug testing. The author points out how the different systems developed. The paper notes how each law may apply to different sets of employees and how different issues may be involved.
From the Paper "Workers are protected by different aspects of employment law covering everything from proper hiring procedures to employee protection and provision for retirement. Employment law involves both federal and state statutes, and the two may offer differing degrees of protection in some cases. Generally, federal law stands above state law, but states can usually provide more protections than does the federal system so long as state law does not undercut or alter the meaning of federal law. The distinctions can be seen in laws to protect employees, such as those covering workers compensation for on-the-job injuries, and for some requirements placed on employees, such as those for drug testing. Workers' compensation is a form of government-mandated insurance program for those employed in a given state, and there are workers' compensation programs in every state as well as at the federal level."
Abstract This paper discuss the role of inter-governmental relations between the Federal, State and Local governments and various issues that impact this working relationship. Among the areas that are discussed are: How inter-governmental programs should be implemented and the economics of scale and shared services. It further analyzes different theories and models of federalism, how these structures can be established and the role that each level of government should play during this process. While the goal is to give each level of government its own power, the objective here is to develop a system so that services can be best delivered to the citizens.
From the Paper "The state of intergovernmental relations can be identified in many ways. Historically, dual federalism is the theory that best defines the American system of government. The writers of the Constitution wanted a system of government with shared powers between the states and the federal government. Each level has their own independent authority. While this theory best identifies our system of government, overtime other theories have developed, responding to the economic and social problems that have developed (Knudson, 2003).
Today the federal, state and local levels find themselves in dispute as to who should be paying for and implementing certain programs. The states and local levels believe that they can do a better job of implementing domestic programs because they are closer to the problem then the federal government. A standard national program may not be able to meet the needs of every state. This model called the State- Centered Federalism whereby the states make the decisions, with the federal government there on a minimal basis, to provide the resources. The state government is more responsive, because they can best understand their own needs (Mc Guire, 2001).
This model can be seen in the new Welfare Reform Plan. Whereas under the old welfare system the national government established the welfare policy and the states had little discretion to tailor it towards their individual needs. These objectives and rules sent to the states from Washington DC may not have helped because money was being spent in areas that did not need it. At the same time other, urgent aspects of a states welfare needs were being overlooked by Washington (New, 2002)."
Tags: constitution, federal, government, local, relationship, state
Abstract The paper looks at important court cases pertaining to the budget. The paper explores the role of the government in the budget, congressional spending and efforts to control and regulate federal spending. The paper shows how the separation of power between the executive and legislative branches is important to ensure that the "checks and balances" set up for the United States government remain effective.
From the Paper "Congress has been given the power to control the federal budget. "Budgeting" has been imparted to this, the legislative branch, yet, the president and his executive branch (in charge of leading and executing law) have been known to try and "share" this power. However, both the constitution and the courts-operated by the judicial branch- see the necessity for a "separation of power," between these two branches, and thus, the court rules consistently in favor of the separation of the two branch's tasks. There is no "sharing of budgetary powers," rather it is a constant battle-the executive branch attempts to gain budgeting power from the legislative branch, and the judicial tries feverishly to maintain the separation of power."
Tags:federal, spending, legislative, executive, Congress
Abstract In this paper the author examines the US FederalBudget during the Clinton administration and how he reduced the deficit to a surplus amount in 1998. He moves on to discuss the changing American economy and provides examples of why he considers that there are times in a nation's life when deficits are necessary and even beneficial. The author suggests that use of debt spending during wars and times of recession help to boost the economy but can be detrimental to the Stock Market. He further examines levels of taxation and compares the effect that different administrations have had on the federal deficit.
From the paper:
?Determining the correct, or economically benign, level of deficit and debt is a subject for endless debate. Economies do not operate by a simple law of cause and effect, of plus and minus, of deficit and surplus. They are complex interweaving of many economic and psychological factors, both domestic and international. Although a huge deficit is never to be praised, there are times in a nation's life when deficits are necessary and even beneficial.?
Tags: Clinton, Regan, Bush, Terrorism, War, Federal, Budget, Deficit, Tax, Stock, Market, America
Abstract This paper examines the soft budget constraint (SBC) as a commitment problem under socialism, presents the Dewatripont and Maskin basic model of the theory behind the SBC, and explains how the SBC can be hardened. Additionally, it closely follows the transition processes in China, as well as several Central and Eastern European Countries by focusing on efficient markets, federalism, demonopolization. The paper ends with a summary of the efficiency outcomes of a hard budget constraint.
From the Paper "The soft budget constraint syndrome is an incentive dilemma that has been primarily observed in socialist centrally planned economies, and has created major problems in their transition to the market. The term "soft budget constraint" was coined by Kornai in 1980, and can be summed up as follows: ?If the firm acts as a price maker, if the tax system it faces is soft, if it can rely on access to free state grants, if it can get credits and external financial investment on soft terms, then the budget constraint is soft; that is it will not bind the ex ante choices of the firm.? Ambrus-Lakatos (1997)"
Abstract This paper studies the post-war (2003) budget for Iraq. The paper discusses the origins of the policy, the political climate, the state of the economy, and popular public opinion at the time that enabled the policy to be introduced and enacted. The paper also explains how this policy influenced the budget and if the influences are positive or negative.
Tags: Post War budget Iraq, origins, policy, political climate, state of the economy, popular public opinion, budget, reforms or revisions
Abstract The paper discusses a fixed budget proposal. This proposal as reviewed by the paper, is specifically designed for a company named 'Agile Software Development.' The paper states that when developing software programs, details should be provided on the different elements, and compares and contrasts four principles of proposal design. The paper concludes suggesting that a fixed budget proposal with a variable element provides the most flexibility when designing and developing software programs for a company.
Outline:
Introduction
Fixed Budget - "Agile on a Fixed Budget" Proposal
Conclusion
From the Paper "A fixed budget typically entails many restrictions, meaning a defined amount of money is available for defined purposes. This amount should not vary much on a fixed budget proposal. Ambler reviews three factors of "resources, schedule, and scope" noting that even in a fixed budget, "at least one must vary" because if it does not quality production will "suffer" (Ambler, p. 1). Why is this? Quality will often decrease because technical staff may have to conform to "budgetary constraints" typically introduced by a fixed budget. This may lead according to Ambler (2007) the technology team to taking shortcuts which will also sacrifice quality. In any other type of budget, like a flexible budge, all three factors (resources, schedule and scope) could vary in terms of funding. This allows more flexibility for management (Ambler, 2003). However, Ambler (2007) notes that rarely in the technology field do software applications or development teams utilize a flexible budget fully (Ambler, 2003). Some resources, especially funding when considering the fixed budget, can vary (Ambler, 2007). Typically when someone is using a fixed budget, all financing options are fixed. However, one may provide a fixed estimate at the start of a project which allows the stakeholders to "minimize" their perceived risk; then stakeholders can treat an IT investment like "a true investment" by increasing the amount of money they provide to effective teams and decreasing funding to inefficient or ineffective teams. "
Abstract This is a 5-page paper discussing the various elements of budget execution. It states that budget accounting system is an important base for the execution of the government budget agency.
A discussion of how the United States deals with states of emergency, what constitutes an emergency, how to deal with it and financial aid in the aftermath.
1,845 words (approx. 7.4 pages), 5 sources, 2001, $ 59.95
Abstract In the wake of the September 11th attacks, the author looks at how the United States is prepared to deal with emergency situations including not only acts of terrorism but also natural disasters. The author looks at the Stafford Act and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and what the brief is for these situations, with particular reference to financial relief. The author also looks at regulations for what constitutes a state of emergency, giving specific examples, and how various agencies and government bodies should respond.
From the paper:
?The severity of a natural winter disaster such as a blizzard affects the types of emergency relief called upon to prevent major damage. If the crisis is manageable on a purely local level, the city is mainly involved in plowing and spreading salt. If more physical aid is necessary, the state and county level must become involved to mobilize more equipment and human labor. Should an appeal for greater funding be necessary to address immediate damage from the federal government, the state may also be involved in such an appeal. This is particularly true, should more aid be necessary to help the victims of the emergency.?
