Proposed Changes in Federal Matching and Maintenance of Effort Requirements for State and Local Governments
GGD-81-7
Published: Dec 23, 1980. Publicly Released: Dec 23, 1980.
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Highlights
GAO explored the appropriateness of the Federal matching maintenance of effort requirements on State and local governments as a tool for attaining Federal policy objectives.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should use matching requirements more sparingly in Federal programs and only after careful deliberation. | Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information. | |
| Congress should amend the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4201) to enact a standard maintenance of effort requirement applicable to those grant programs where Congress wants to prevent fiscal substitution. | Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information. | |
| Congress should make match rates more uniform wihin each functional area to avoid conflicts that may impede the achievement of Federal objectives. In making such changes, Congress should consider how much latitude the States should have to modify federally determined matching requirements. | Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information. | |
| Congress should, to facilitate making match rates more uniform, consider amending the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 to enable the President to propose plans to standardize match rates within functional program areas subject to Congressional approval. | Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Management and Budget | The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should direct that OMB include information on maintenance of effort requirements in the description of each Federal program listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
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Topics
Federal aid programsFederal aid to localitiesFederal aid to statesFederal grantsIntergovernmental relationsMaintenance (upkeep)Program evaluationProgram managementMaintenance of effortLocal governments