State & Federal Finance

Overview: The Federal Budget

• President's Budget
  A brief synopsis of the federal budget, highlighting objectives, challenges, and goals for the fiscal year.
  
  
• Budget of the United States Government
  The official United States budget proposal for fiscal year 2007 (October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007). The Table of Contents links to the individual sections.
  
  
• Analytical Perspectives, Budget of the United States Government
  This document contains analyses that are designed to highlight specified subject areas or provide other significant presentations of budget data that place the U.S. budget in perspective. This volume includes economic and accounting analyses; information on Federal receipts and collections; analyses of Federal spending; detailed information on Federal borrowing and debt; baseline or current services estimates; and other technical presentations.
  

The Budgeting Process

• A Brief Introduction to the Federal Budget Process
  Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. A synopsis of the federal budget process.
  
  
• The Annual Budget Process
  U.S. House of Representatives. Rules Committee. Explanation of the multi-level process involved in producing the U.S. annual federal budget.
  
  
• The Appropriations Process
  U.S. House of Representatives. Rules Committee. Overview on the appropriations process, which provides federal agencies legal authority to incur obligations and the Treasury Department authority to make payments for designated purposes.
  
  
• The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction
  Congressional Research Service. This report discusses the process through which Congress annually considers funding for numerous activities, such as national defense, education, homeland security, and crime.
  
  
• Basic Stages of the Budget Process
  U.S. House of Representatives. Rules Committee. Overview of the five stages of the congressional budget process.
  
  
• Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
  Introduction to the Congressional Budget Office and its responsibilities in the budget process.
  
  
• The Budget Process and the Budget Resolution
  U.S. House of Representatives. Rules Committee. General overview of the budget process and the budget resolution, including a timetable of the budget process.
  
  
• The Budget Reconciliation Process
  U.S. House of Representatives. Rules Committee. An overview of the budget reconciliation process, when Congress issues directives to legislate policy changes in mandatory spending (entitlements) or revenue programs (tax laws) to achieve the goals in spending and revenue contemplated by the budget resolution.
  
  

Government Economic Reports

• Economic Report of the President
  The Economic Report of the President, published together with the Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers, explain the government's economic security agenda.
  
  
• The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2007 to 2016
  Issued by the Congressional Budget Office, this report provides congressional committees on the Budget impartial fiscal analysis and baseline federal spending projections, and contains no recommendations.
  
  
• Glossary of Budget and Economic Terms
  This glossary, provided by the Congressional Budget Office, defines various economic and budgetary terms contained in the Office's Budget and Economic Outlook report.
  
  
• Federal R&D Budget Facts
  Executive Office of the President. Office of Science and Technology Policy. Provides information regarding the federal research and development (R&D) budget.
  
  

Federal Departments and Regulatory Agencies

• U.S. Department of Commerce
  The Department encourages, serves, and promotes the Nation's international trade, economic growth and technological advancement.
  
  
• U.S. Department of Labor
  Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States.
  
  
• U.S. Department of the Treasury
  The Department of the Treasury works to promote the conditions for prosperity and stability in the United States and encourage prosperity and stability in the rest of the world by performing four basic functions: formulating and recommending economic, financial, tax and fiscal policies; serving as financial agent for the U.S. Government; enforcing the law; and manufacturing coins and currency.
  
  
• National Labor Relations Board
  The National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1935 to administer the National Labor Relations Act, the primary law governing relations between unions and employers in the private sector.
  
  
• Small Business Administration
  An overview of the Small Business Administration, whose function is to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses.
  
  
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) preserves and promotes public confidence in the U.S. financial system by insuring deposits in banks and thrift institutions for at least $100,000; by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to the deposit insurance funds; and by limiting the effect on the economy and the financial system when a bank or thrift institution fails.
  
  
• Federal Reserve Board
  The Federal Reserve System, the central bank of the United States, is charged with administering and formulating the Nation's credit and monetary policy. Through its supervisory and regulatory banking functions, the Federal Reserve maintains the safety and soundness of the Nation's economy, responding to the Nation's domestic and international financial needs and objectives.
  
  
• Federal Reserve System: Structure and Functions
  Produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, this pamphlet describes the role that is played by the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors, 12 Reserve Banks, and Federal Open Market Committee in fostering a sound economy.
  
  
• Federal Trade Commission
  The Federal Trade Commission works to enhance consumer welfare and protect competition in broad sectors of the economy.
  
  
• Government Accountability Office
  The Government Accountability Office is the investigative arm of the Congress and is charged with examining all matters relating to the receipt and disbursement of public funds.
  
  
• Office of Management and Budget
  The Office of Management and Budget evaluates, formulates, and coordinates management procedures and program objectives within and among Federal departments and agencies. It also controls the administration of the Federal budget, while routinely providing the President with recommendations regarding budget proposals and relevant legislative enactments.
  
  
• Securities and Exchange Commission
  The Securities and Exchange Commission administers Federal securities laws that seek to provide protection for investors; to ensure that securities markets are fair and honest; and, when necessary, to provide the means to enforce securities laws through sanctions.
  
  

Federal, State and Local Government Statistics

• State of the Cities 2000
  Issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this report identifies the megaforces that are shaping the future of U.S. cities and presents findings showing their impact.
  
  
• State and Local Government Finances and Employment
  Presents data on revenues, expenditures, debt, and employment of state and local governments.
  
  
• Federal Government Finances and Employment
  Provides statistics relating to the financial structure and the civilian employment of the Federal Government. The fiscal data cover taxes, other receipts, outlays, and debt.
  
  
• Government Programs, Employment, and Finances
  Table with information on government programs, employment, and finances at the state level.
  
  
• Government Finances and Climate
  Table containing statistical information on U.S. government finances and climate for cities with a population of 25,000 or more.