OCR Text |
Show LET'S CONSOLIDATE Congress is considering legislation to bring order out of chaos in the Federal grants-in-aid programs. With 42 new programs added in the last Congress, the number of grant categories has now reached 420, according ac-cording to Senator Mundt, South Dakota Republican. "Since 1948, grant programs have increased from $1.8 billion to an estimated $20.8 billion for fiscal 1969, and an expected $25 billion in the current fiscal year," Sen. Mundt said. He explained that the grants as a source ot state and local revenue ''have become increasingly important, im-portant, demonstrating the acute need for improving their administration." The amount of such grants compared com-pared with total state-local revenue has grown from ten to eighteen per cent in the past twenty years. The proposed legislation would permit the President to examine and consolidate grants which cover programs of a similar or related nature. Greater efficiency and coordination at lower cost can be the result, while state initiative in solving state-local problems will, at the same time, be encouraged. The Bureau of the Budget will provide the President and Congress with an objectne analysis of the progress reports submitted by the program heads. Such legislation should result in more efficient and economic administration of the programs, subject the consolidated grants to Congressional review, and limit their duration to their authorized periods. The Administration and the Congress are to be commended on their efforts to streamline the complexity of these federal operations. |