Block Grants:
Lessons Learned
T-HEHS-95-80: Published: Feb 9, 1995. Publicly Released: Feb 9, 1995.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
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GAO discussed the consolidation of federal categorical programs into block grants to states and localities, focusing on states' previous experience with block grants. GAO noted that: (1) the 15 current block grant programs total $32 billion and constitute 11 percent of federal aid to states; (2) in 1981, Congress consolidated about 50 categorical programs into 9 block grants and also reduced their funding by an average of 12 percent; (3) although the block grants eliminated many federal reporting requirements, many states continued their prior levels of data collection for their own management purposes; (4) in general, the 1981 transition from categorical programs to block grants was smooth because the states had experience in operating programs in most of the covered areas; (5) states replaced much of the 1981 funding reductions with carryover funds from the programs and additional state revenues; (6) the lack of comparability of state data limited federal policymakers' ability to make decisions concerning funds allocation, individual state's needs, and program effectiveness; (7) Congress recatagorized some funding because the states were not meeting national needs with the block grants; and (8) if Congress decides to create new block grants, it needs to ensure accountability for results and fair allocation of funds, and to consider how the differences in the size and structure of the programs to be consolidated from those consolidated in 1981 will impact states' ability to manage the transition to block grants.
Jan 13, 2021
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Department of Energy Contracting:
Improvements Needed to Ensure DOE Assesses Its Full Range of Contracting Fraud RisksGAO-21-44: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.
Dec 16, 2020
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Data Governance:
Agencies Made Progress in Establishing Governance, but Need to Address Key MilestonesGAO-21-152: Published: Dec 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2020.
Dec 9, 2020
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2020 Census:
The Bureau Concluded Field Work but Uncertainty about Data Quality, Accuracy, and Protection RemainsGAO-21-206R: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 3, 2020
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2020 Census:
Census Bureau Needs to Assess Data Quality Concerns Stemming from Recent Design ChangesGAO-21-142: Published: Dec 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 3, 2020. -
2020 Census:
Census Bureau Needs to Ensure Transparency over Data QualityGAO-21-262T: Published: Dec 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 3, 2020.
Nov 30, 2020
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Federal Buying Power:
OMB Can Further Advance Category Management Initiative by Focusing on Requirements, Data, and TrainingGAO-21-40: Published: Nov 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 30, 2020.
Nov 24, 2020
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Disaster Response:
Agencies Should Assess Contracting Workforce Needs and Purchase Card Fraud RiskGAO-21-42: Published: Nov 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 24, 2020.
Nov 23, 2020
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Federal Contracting:
Actions Needed to Improve Department of Labor's Enforcement of Service Worker Wage ProtectionsGAO-21-11: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 23, 2020.
Nov 18, 2020
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Federal Telework:
Key Practices That Can Help Ensure the Success of Telework ProgramsGAO-21-238T: Published: Nov 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 18, 2020.
Oct 7, 2020
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Unaccompanied Children:
Actions Needed to Improve Grant Application Reviews and Oversight of Care FacilitiesGAO-20-609: Published: Sep 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 2020.
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