The public budget evolved over time. The Federal Budget, and how it gets made, is a complex, lengthy process that has important implications for Federal, State, and Local agencies. Obviously, funding for each agency is going to affect that agency's budget. Likewise, federal funding for social programs, education, and other programs, such as disaster relief, affects how state and local agencies fund those programs within their own budgets. Choose one federal agency or department from the A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies.Links to an external site. Compare the federal budget with the budget of your selected department and note how they are interconnected.
In a 3–4 page paper (not including the cover and reference page), address the following:
Prepare a concise history of the public budget. Title this section Public Budget. (Note: This section should not include your selected federal agency or department.)
Examine the federal budget submission process. Title this section Submission Process.
Determine if the budget of your selected department or agency supports the mission of the agency or department. Title this section Mission.
Determine how the budget has affected the policy of the department or agency. Title this section Policy.
Evaluate how the budget of the agency or department has changed over the last five to ten years. Title this section Budget Changes.
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Public Budget
The public budget has undergone significant changes over time, reflecting the evolution of government priorities and the needs of society. In its earliest form, the public budget was primarily concerned with the collection and allocation of funds for essential government services, such as defense and infrastructure. As governments grew in size and complexity, the budgeting process became more structured and codified.
The first significant development in the public budget can be traced back to the United States' adoption of the Constitution in 1787. The Constitution empowered Congress to levy taxes and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the nation. This marked the emergence of a centralized process for budgeting at the federal level.
In the early years of the Republic, the federal budget primarily consisted of funding for the military and debt servicing. However, as the role of the federal government expanded, so did the budget. The budget began to include funding for various social programs aimed at addressing societal needs and promoting economic growth.
The modern public budget evolved further during the Great Depression, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the concept of deficit spending to stimulate the economy. This marked a shift in the budgeting approach, as the federal government began to actively manage the economy through fiscal policy.
Over the years, the public budget has become increasingly complex and interconnected. The interplay between federal, state, and local agencies has become critical in determining the overall budget. Federal funding for various programs, such as social programs, education, and disaster relief, has a direct impact on how state and local agencies allocate their resources.
Submission Process
The federal budget submission process is a complex and lengthy process that involves multiple stakeholders. It begins with the President's budget request, which is submitted to Congress in February each year. The President's budget request outlines the administration's proposed spending for the upcoming fiscal year, including funding for different federal agencies and departments.
After receiving the President's budget request, Congress begins its budget process. This involves various committees and subcommittees conducting hearings and reviewing the budget proposals. Congress has the power to modify the President's budget request and pass its own budget resolution.
Once the budget resolution is passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a conference committee is formed to reconcile any differences between the two versions. The final budget resolution is then passed and provides the overall spending framework for the fiscal year.
Following the budget resolution, appropriations bills are introduced and passed to allocate specific funding to federal agencies and departments. These bills go through a similar process of review, hearings, and voting in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Once the appropriations bills are passed, the federal agencies and departments can begin spending their allocated funds.
Mission
The selected federal agency for this paper is the Department of Education (ED). The mission of the Department of Education is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access to educational opportunities.
The budget of the Department of Education is directly aligned with its mission. It predominantly focuses on funding initiatives and programs that support student achievement and educational excellence. The budget includes provisions for grants to states and schools, financial aid for students, research and development, and various other programs aimed at improving education in the United States.
Policy
The budget of the Department of Education has a significant impact on its policy direction. The level of funding allocated to specific programs determines the department's ability to implement and enforce policies effectively. For example, increased funding for initiatives such as grants to states and schools enable the department to promote policies that support innovative teaching methods, improved curriculum, and equitable education access.
On the other hand, budget constraints can limit the department's ability to implement certain policies effectively. Funding cuts may lead to reduced resources for educational programs, limiting the department's capacity to address educational disparities and adequately support student achievement.
Budget Changes
Over the last five to ten years, the budget of the Department of Education has experienced various changes. One notable change is the increased focus on initiatives promoting educational equity and access. This is evidenced by the increase in funding for programs such as Title I, which provides grants to schools serving low-income students, and Pell Grants, which provide financial aid to students from low-income families.
Additionally, there has been a growing emphasis on funding for early childhood education. The budget has allocated more resources to programs such as Head Start, which aims to provide comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.
However, the budget of the Department of Education has also faced challenges and constraints. Funding for certain programs has been subject to cuts or less significant increases, resulting in limited resources for specific initiatives. This has impacted the department's ability to fully address ongoing educational challenges and implement desired policies.
In conclusion, the public budget has evolved over time, reflecting the changing priorities of governments and the needs of society. The federal budget and the budget of specific federal agencies and departments are interconnected, with federal funding influencing state and local agencies' funding decisions. The federal budget submission process is a complex and lengthy process involving multiple stakeholders. The budget of the selected federal department, in this case, the Department of Education, directly supports the mission and policies of the department. The budget has changed over the years, reflecting shifts in education priorities and resource allocation.