Snoopers Tip #7: Learning To Love the Federal Budget Process
Hate It Now, Love It Later. Tonight, President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress to discuss his budget and fiscal priorities. And in the days ahead we’ll be hearing more and more about the federal budget proposals. Our heads are therefore going to explode. We know that the budget process is a yearly “dance of death,” and this one begins when the President reveals his 2010 budget proposal on February 26, this Thursday. This Snoopers Tip will help you find the resources you need to keep your eye on the money.
The yearly budget process also an area that is not, shall we say, overly interesting or exciting, unless you count among your hobbies things like staring at blank walls and reading Millard Fillmore biographies. It is, unfortunately, something that we all should know something about, if only to satisfy pesky Poly Sci or Econ professors. Also, I find it an excellent way to discourage friendships that I do not want or to lighten up on friends. Just turn the discussion to federal budget terms like “sequestration” or “reconciliation” and you’ll find yourself quite friendless. So, FBK (“Federal Budget Knowledge”) has some utility, and after this Snoopers Tip you’ll have some arrows in your quiver to shoot at anyone who thinks they can outdo you in these dark arts.
Here’s some items of interest to have in your “Government Info” bookmark folder or printed and in a binder. With these research pointers you can go as far as you like in snooping in this area, from basic to expert:
1. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report “Introduction the the Federal Budget Process” (11-20-2008). ” includes basic concepts of federal budgeting; the presidential and the congressional budget process; sequestration; spending, revenue, reconciliation; and 
impoundment, among other topics.”
2. “Federal Budget Process Reform in the 111th Congress” (01-16-2009). This CRS Report is important, particularly given the massive fiscal stimulus plans already afoot. “Legislative changes in the budget process may take the form of freestanding bills or joint resolutions (e.g., the Line Item Veto Act), or may be incorporated into other budgetary legislation . . .”
3. The House Budget Committee web site is a great one-stop shop for budget matters with links to other budget agencies and budget data. The Senate Budget Committee web site
Hate It Now, Hate It Later? So, while this may possibly not cause you to “love” the federal budget, and perhaps not even cause you to “like” the federal budget, maybe it’ll help you “tolerate” it. Or maybe just hate it a tiny bit less. If so, my work is done here.
More Snoopers Tips soon! Bestest, Mike
is a portal to the Democratic site and to the Republican site, both of which offer a full plate of budget information and links.
4. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – “CBO’s mandate is to provide the Congress with: Objective, nonpartisan, and timely analyses to aid in economic and budgetary decisions on the wide array of programs covered by the federal budget and the information and estimates required for the Congressional budget process.” The “all-important” but generally ignored budget “timeline” is available in visual form here. It’d make a nifty tattoo!
If you’re really really wonky about federal budget matters, or you’re required to be so in a course you’re taking, or you’re just plain nuts, it’s a good idea to bookmark CBO’s site AND subscribe to their RSS feed which will provide you a list of CBO’s publications on a regular basis. Remember that CBO advises Congress on ALL bills that have budget consequences, not merely the monstrosity called the overall federal budget.
5. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is the Executive Branch office responsible for creating the Frankenstein we lovingly call our budget. “OMB evaluates the effectiveness of agency programs, policies, and procedures, assesses competing funding demands among agencies, and sets funding priorities. OMB ensures that agency reports, rules, testimony, and proposed legislation are consistent with the President’s Budget and with Administration policies.” Yeah, sure, if you say so. But, really – seriously – you can’t follow the budget wars without having access to both the Legislative Branch’s CBO (above) AND the Executive Branch’s OMB.
The official “rule book” for the budget process is in OMB’s Circular A-11. The Circular applies to all Executive departments and establishments If you’ve lost all contact with reality and want to read it, it’s about 700 pages. If you want a short (4 page) “Guide to the Circular” go here.
6. Helping to keep ’em honest is OMB Watch. OMBW, a nonprofit, nongovernmental research and advocacy organization, “was formed in 1983 to lift the veil of secrecy shrouding the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). . . to increase government transparency and accountability; to ensure sound, equitable regulatory and budgetary processes and policies.” It’s a great place to follow the process and get some good analysis and critique. Their Budget and Tax Policy section is here, and a nice glossary of budget terms is found here.
OMB Watch best belongs in a “Government Watchdog” bookmarks folder. Other watchdog sites are (1) the Cato Institute ; (2) The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities; (3) The Concord Coalition; (4) The Heritage Foundation. They each have their own positions on budget policy, and as a whole you’ll find almost every political philosophy.
7. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is another Legislative Branch agency that is a must-have in any Government bookmarks folder. It not only has important functions on federal budgeting, it “examines the use of public funds, evaluates federal programs and activities, and provides analyses, options, recommendations, and other assistance to help the Congress make effective oversight, policy, and funding decisions.” Here’s their “Browse by Topic” area, and you’ll find “Budget and Spending” among many other topics. I’ll be writing a complete Snooper Tips about the GAO at a later date. It’s an exceptional government watchdog within the government itself.
