In fact, I would go so far as to say that we could make $2 or $3 in cuts in categorical programs for every dollar we leave in revenue sharing. At a time when the country is supposedly tired of the obtrusive rules of the Federal Government, tired of the burgeoning Federal bureaucracy, tired of the rules and regulations, the administration wants to cut a program which costs one-tenth of 1 percent of program funds to administer and employs only 200 people in the process. Yet, we spin along on our merry way and insist that State revenue sharing is the culprit. I fail to see the logic in this. It is only too bad the administration is not here to explain it today. I support the existing program. I think it is responsible. I think it is effective, and I think it recognizes the fact that all wisdom does not reside here in Washington and that State and local officials many times are closer to local problems. Their judgments and solutions to these problems are usually better than those concocted by Washington bureaucrats. My bill, H.R. 2291, introduced last year, calls for a straight extension of the existing program for another 4 years. That legislation has over 90 cosponsors, among them are 4 members of this subcommittee: Mr. Horton, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Brown, and Mrs. Snowe. State and local officials support the existing program. They do not want any changes. I am told, however, that the administration feels some compunction to alter it, but only slightly they say. It is during times like this that I wish the President's friend, Bert Lance, was still in town. He said: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That is some advice the administration needs to heed right now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [Bills relative to the hearings follow:] 96TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H.R. 1771 To amend the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 to provide incentives for the funding of education by means other than property taxes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 1, 1979 Mr. CARR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations A BILL To amend the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 to provide incentives for the funding of education by means other than property taxes. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 That (a) section 106 of the State and Local Fiscal Assistance 4 Act of 1972 is amended by inserting at the end thereof the 5 following new subsection: "(d) SUPPLEMENTAL ENTITLEMENT. 6 7 8 I-E "(1) IN GENERAL.-Notwithstanding the preced ing provisions of this section the amount allocable to a 2 2 3 4 5 6 1 State under this section shall be increased by an amount equal to 10 per centum of the amount to which such State would otherwise be entitled if such State funds public education in such State from sources other than the collection of property taxes. "(2) AUTHORIZATION.-There are authorized to 7 8 9 be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to increase the entitlements of State governments as provided in paragraph (1).". 10 (b) Section 108 of the State and Local Fiscal Assistance 11 Act of 1972 is amended by inserting at the end thereof the 12 following new subsection: "(f) SUPPLEMENTAL ENTITLEMENT. “(1) IN GENERAL.-Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section the amount allocable to a unit of local government under this section shall be in creased by an amount equal to 10 per centum of the amount to which such unit of local government would otherwise be entitled if such unit of local government funds public education in such unit of local government from sources other than the collection of property taxes. "(2) AUTHORIZATION.-There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to in 3 1 2 3 crease the entitlements of units of local governments as provided in paragraph (1).". SEC. 2. The provisions of this Act shall apply with re 4 spect to entitlement periods beginning on or after October 1, 5 1978. 96TH CONGRESS 18T SESSION H. R. 2291 To extend for four fiscal years the authorization of appropriations for the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 21, 1979 Mr. WYDLER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations A BILL To extend for four fiscal years the authorization of appropriations for the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 SECTION 1. Section 105(c)(3) of the State and Local 4 Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 is amended by adding at the 5 end thereof the following new subparagraphs: "(E) The entitlement period beginning Octo ber 1, 1980, and ending September 30, 1981. |