Budget Brief 09-07 FY 2010 Appropriations: August Recess Update August 24, 2009
Summary As Congress left Washington for its annual August recess, it could take credit for making much greater progress on the fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget than has been the case in recent years. As shown on Table 1, the House of Representatives has passed all 12 of its appropriations bills. The full Senate has passed only four, but another seven have passed at the committee level.
Also in contrast to recent years, congressional action is largely reflective of administration priorities. Table 2 lists current funding levels for major grant programs based on the most recent House and Senate actions, and compares them to both the FY 2009 enacted level and the president’s FY 2010 proposals.
This Budget Brief describes major FY 2010 appropriations actions to date, especially in areas where major policy or funding changes have been proposed.
Budget Brief 09-06 President’s FY 2010 Budget: Change That May Happen May 15, 2009
Summary On May 7, 2009, President Obama released budget details for fiscal year (FY) 2010. Unlike past years, the budget proposes increases for both defense and non-defense programs. For states, this budget differs from budget requests under the Bush administration in that far fewer existing programs are proposed for elimination and many receive slight increases. While there are a few new spending programs proposed in this budget, the scale of such programs is not extensive. Also in contrast to recent years, this budget may find a more receptive audience, inasmuch as the same party controls the administration and both houses of Congress.
This Budget Brief describes the major proposals of importance to states. Table 1 summarizes proposed changes in budget authority for a number of major grant programs. The table compares proposed FY 2010 spending levels to FY 2009 enacted levels.
Under the president’s budget, funding for the discretionary programs listed on Table 1 would be increased by 4% in FY 2010 and mandatory program funding would increase by 7%. The total funding increase across all programs listed is $28 billion, or 6%.
Budget Brief 09-05 Congress Passes FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill March 17, 2009
Summary After operating under a series of continuing resolutions (CRs) since October 1, 2008, a host of federal departments and agencies have finally received full-year funding for fiscal year (FY) 2009 under an omnibus appropriations bill that was signed by President Obama on March 11, 2009 (P.L. 111-08).
Enacted last year, P.L. 110-139 included full-year appropriations for defense, military construction, veteran’s affairs and homeland security. It also funded disaster relief and included a six-month continuing resolution (CR) for remaining programs through March 6, 2009. The CR continued FY 2008 funding levels for most programs, but provided increased or new funding for selected programs. See Budget Brief 08-11 for a complete description of the provisions of P.L. 110-139. That CR was extended one week pending final congressional negotiations.
With passage of P.L. 111-08, Congress has finally completed action on FY 2009 appropriations. Table 1 lists FY 2009 funding for major grant programs. It also lists in a separate column funding provided to listed programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Budget Brief 09-04 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Becomes Law February 23, 2009
Summary On Tuesday, February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which provides $787 billion in economic stimulus funding through spending programs, tax cuts and other provisions.
Included in the stimulus package is funding for several grant-in-aid programs. Virtually all of these programs already exist and the rules governing them are known by states. This Budget Brief will therefore focus on components of the bill that are a departure from current law.
Table 1 lists state-by-state allocations for several individual grant programs included in the bill. Table 2 provides an inventory of grants funded under ARRA, including competitive grants.
Budget Brief 09-03 Senate Weighs in on Economic Stimulus February 5, 2009
Summary This week, the Senate is debating its version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan (ARRP), which passed the House on January 28, 2009. Several changes to the bill are anticipated before its final adoption, which is expected by the end of the week.
Like its House counterpart, the Senate bill increases funding for a host of state grant programs. Table 1 lists most of them, along with the recommended funding and additional relevant information. Virtually all of these programs already exist and the rules governing them are known by states. This Budget Brief will therefore focus on components of the bill that are a departure from current law, and compare them to provisions in the House-passed bill.
Table 2 lists state-by-state allocations for several individual grant programs included in the bill.
Budget Brief 09-02 How Would the House Economic Stimulus Bill Affect States? January 28, 2009
Summary Today, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan (ARRP), an $819 billion spending and tax-cut plan intended to spur economic growth. The $550 billion spending portion of the bill includes about $318 billion for state and local governments.
H.R. 1 increases funding for a host of state grant programs. Table 1 lists most of them, along with the recommended funding and additional relevant information. Virtually all of these programs already exist and the rules governing them are known by states. This Budget Brief will therefore focus on components of the bill that are a departure from current law. They include a fiscal stabilization fund, Medicaid assistance and new school construction funds.
Table 2 lists state-by-state allocations for several individual grant programs included in the bill.
Budget Brief 09-01 Budget Timing; Federal Fiscal Data; Disaster Relief Title XX Allotments January 21, 2009
Summary This brief discusses the possible timing and content of administration budget documents for federal fiscal year (FY) 2010, presents current federal fiscal data for FYs 2007-2008 and the first quarter of FY 2009, and provides information surrounding a recently published allocation of Social Services Block Grant (Title XX) disaster relief allocations.
