Fiscal Year 1989 Budget Estimates for the General Accounting Office

GAO discussed its budget request for fiscal year (FY) 1989. GAO noted that: (1) its request represented a $64 million increase over the FY 1988 appropriation; and (2) the increase covered costs related to mandatory pay and price level changes, program enhancements, additional positions, equipment needs, building modernization, and telecommunications services. GAO also noted that it: (1) saved over $18 billion in FY 1987; (2) addressed several issues of congressional concern, including budget and trade deficits, insider trading, the Iran/Contra controversy, lending institutions' financial conditions, medical malpractice, defense affordability, the financial services industry, and the stock market crash; (3) required well-qualified, highly motivated personnel equipped with modern audit and evaluation tools to continue its work; and (4) is receiving an increasing volume of congressionally requested and legislatively mandated jobs. In addition, GAO noted that, to increase its effectiveness, it: (1) intends to adopt some Government Accounting Standards Board rules; (2) plans to implement a pay-for-performance system for evaluation staff; (3) has developed a long-range Information Resources Management Plan; and (4) wants to own its building, which it currently leases, to facilitate and expedite asbestos cleanup.