Virginia H. Blend\u27s statement on proposal 16 to the Revenue and Finance Committee.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/montanaconstitution/1469/thumbnail.jp

Blend, Virginia H.

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University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana The Montana Constitution Collection 2-1-1972 Virginia H. Blend's statement regarding proposal 16 Virginia H. Blend Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/montanaconstitution Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Blend, Virginia H., "Virginia H. Blend's statement regarding proposal 16" (1972). The Montana Constitution Collection. 432. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/montanaconstitution/432 This Committee Minutes and Testimony is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Montana Constitution Collection by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu. /97/-19'!'1-■MM® MBfflfU TBBMLSTATE CAPITOL • HELENA. MONTANA 59601 • TELEPHONE 406/449-3750VIRGINIA H. BLEND, DELEGATE, DISTRICT THIRTEENVice ChairmanLOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEEFebruary 1, 1972MemberSTYLING, DRAFTING & REVISIONCOMMITTEERe: Proposal #16To: Revenue & Finance Committee: •iy proposal reads "State revenues shall not be earmarked to any purpose except when required by the Federal Government for state participation in Federal programs".Earmarked funds were originally used by government to stabely establish long term services and projects, and ensure their continuance during infancy. However, like most governmental programs, once started, continue on forever; this stable base approach becomes a way of life, with what seem to be unrealistic annual bucgets in addition, without accountability of the earmarked funds.Tiie system lends itself to autonomy. Earmarked funds are not, or are reluct­antly, accounted for, but without accountability either as to funds or operation. Other states have found this system Goes not tend toward economy or cooperation with the legislative branch of government, responsible for providing additional budget.The Foundation Program in Education is preserved forever. While I cannot believe Education would suffer at the hands of a legislature or the citizens of the state, ao be it. Accountability cannot be pinpointed by the Legis­lature when additional budget is requested.The highway department apparently must assure to the Federal Governments its proration of marching funds for Highway purposes for eligibility in federal programs. This must be provided for in this department, as well as other other branches of government who operate in the same manner. Again, account­ability is difficult for the legislature to obtain, because of the built-in autonomy this program promulgates.You are familiar with other departments of government receiving earmarked funds, I know, and with their autonomous operation.If we are to build a strong legislative branch to control government spending and secure the funds to fill budgets, I feel they must be in a pcsttion to evaluate the entire funding of each department, not just that part of the budget over and above the earmarked funds.

Virginia H. Blend\u27s statement regarding proposal 16

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1469&amp;context=montanaconstitution

Virginia H. Blend\u27s statement regarding proposal 16

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