Emergency Jobs Act of 1983: Funds Spent Slowly, Few Jobs Created
HRD-87-1
Published: Dec 31, 1986. Publicly Released: Dec 31, 1986.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on federal agencies' and local governments' use of funds the Emergency Jobs Appropriations Act of 1983 provided, specifically: (1) when they spent the funds; (2) how many people they employed; (3) how many unemployed persons received jobs; (4) what efforts they made to provide employment to the unemployed; and (5) what benefits, other than employment, they provided.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| In considering any future job creation legislation in response to an economic recession, Congress should emphasize programs and activities that historically have been able to quickly spend funds or that have projects available for immediate implementation to provide jobs when the economy needs them the most, placing less emphasis on public works programs and activities that traditionally have spent funds slowly. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
This recommendation was intended for use by Congress in developing future job creation programs when needed in response to an economic recession. No such programs have been needed since the report was issued and it does not appear that any will be needed in the near future. Consequently, no specific congressional action is intended until the need for a job creation program arises. |
| In considering any future job creation legislation in response to an economic recession, Congress should require that these programs and activities obligate and, to the extent practicable, spend funds within a specified time period following the end of the recession or after enactment of the legislation to ensure that jobs are created when most needed, allowing federal departments and agencies involved some discretion in granting exceptions where they are in the best interest of the government. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
This recommendation was intended for use by Congress in developing future job creation programs when needed in response to an economic recession. No such programs have been needed since the report was issued and it does not appear that any will be needed in the near future. Consequently, no specific congressional action is intended until the need for a job creation program arises. |
| In deliberating any future job creation legislation, Congress may wish to consider requiring federal departments and agencies that receive funds to maintain specific expenditure, employment, and other information needed to evaluate the program and to improve congressional oversight. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
This matter for congressional consideration was intended for use in developing future job creation programs when needed in response to an economic recession. No such programs have been needed since the report was issued and it does not appear that any will be needed in the near future. Consequently, no specific congressional action is intended until the need for a job creation program arises. |
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Topics
Appropriated fundsEconomic stabilizationLabor statisticsLabor surplus areasPublic service employmentRecessionUnemploymentEconomic recessionGrant awardLegislation