The estixeted obligations for F 1978, PY 1979, and FY 1980 are compare: below and exlaised is more detail in the following narrative. une of the high points. of the Technology AsExecutive tera! -nt the fiscal year 1980 Executive Level: $47,500 * Assessment. $43,248 - 47,50 $37,847 - 42.:. WUEST $30,017 - 36,70 $23,857 - 29,28 illion, was approved by the $13,448 - 23.-. u modification of the request $ 9,391 - 13.0: - consensus of the board-and *includes 10 posse -al board, six from each body body-was that we were pre11.3 Positions US ront the current national conThis classificats ment spending by approving a members of assess : Constant, rather than increased, paid at a dali ste - Local year 1980. The $11.2 million clase provides bion authority provided to the office panel meetings. luded carryover and supplemental 12.D Personnel Becetas cification of estimates demonstrates, e number of authorized staff employThis classification . Service Retteren her a small increase. The Board felt that we 2.0 Travel tal staff. at the authorization of this budget request This classification operations such as Itinue its fine record of producing high quality panel seedings, which is responsive to the needs of its many ess. he FY 1980 eie els au con VELOPMENT OF OTA-WORK PLANS personally, during my tenure on the board-and I e since the beginning-I have enjoyed watching in building this record, to the point where it is now und effective course. After that difficult period in the vitution as it becomes established, our growing pains to subside. This progress is due in large part to the nator Kennedy, who chaired during the last Congress, nan Winn of Kansas, who was the Vice-Chairman Congress, and-I must also say—to the fine work of This classification provides for the transporting of technical documents to our committees and panel members and contractors, and for other miscellaneous transportation charges. 23.0 Rent, Communications and Utilities This classification covers the cost of rental of office space and equipment, telephones, postage, telegrams, etc. 24.0 Printing and Reproduction This classification covers the cost of printing assessment reports and other day-to-day printing requirements such as stationary, envelopes, and special reports. 25.0 Other Services This classification covers the cost of technology assessment contracts and other government and non-government services. 26.0 Supplies and Materials This classification provides for the cost of day-to-day operating supplies and materials. 31.0 Equipment This classification provides for the purchase of typewriters, adding machines, calculators and other office machines, and for office furniture and equipment, technical books and publications. Mr. BENJAMIN. At this point we would also appreciate having the statement of Chairman Udall. CHAIRMAN UDALL'S STATEMENT Mr. UDALL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be brief. I have a four-page statement which is penetrating, logical, and persuasive. Mr. BENJAMIN. As always. It is my pleasure, as the new Chairman of the Technology Assessment Board, to appear today to present the fiscal year 1980 budget request for the Office of Technology Assessment. REDUCED BUDGET REQUEST The request, in the amount of $11.2 million, was approved by the board last month, and is a downward modification of the request originally submitted by the office. The consensus of the board-and we have a 12-man bipartisan bicameral board, six from each body and three from each party in each body-was that we were presented with an opportunity to confront the current national concern with inflation and government spending by approving a budget that would represent a constant, rather than increased, level of effort by OTA during fiscal year 1980. The $11.2 million request is equal to the obligation authority provided to the office for fiscal year 1979, which included carryover and supplemental authority. Likewise, as the justification of estimates demonstrates, no increase is requested in the number of authorized staff employees. Our Director did want a small increase. The Board felt that we ought to hold the line on total staff. We are confident that the authorization of this budget request will allow OTA to continue its fine record of producing high quality studies in a manner which is responsive to the needs of its many clients in the Congress.. DEVELOPMENT OF OTA-WORK PLANS Mr. Chairman, personally, during my tenure on the board-and I have been there since the beginning-I have enjoyed watching OTA develop, in building this record, to the point where it is now on a decisive and effective course. After that difficult period in the life of any institution as it becomes established, our growing pains are beginning to subside. This progress is due in large part to the efforts of Senator Kennedy, who chaired during the last Congress, and Congressman Winn of Kansas, who was the Vice-Chairman during the last Congress, and-I must also say—to the fine work of Director Peterson. Mr. Chairman, the justification of estimates explains in some detail the specific projects which OTA is currently performing. It also describes some of the studies which the Director may present for approval to the board for startup later this year and in fiscal This classification provides for the transporting of technical documents to our committees and panel members and contractors, and for other miscellaneous transportation charges. 23.0 Rent, Communications and Utilities This classification covers the cost of rental of office space and equipment, telephones, postage, telegrams, etc. 24.0 Printing and Reproduction This classification covers the cost of printing assessment reports and other day-to-day printing requirements such as stationary, envelopes, and special reports. 25.0 Other Services This classification covers the cost of technology assessment contracts and other government and non-government services. 26.0 Supplies and Materials This classification provides for the cost of day-to-day operating supplies and materials. 31.0 Equipment This classification provides for the purchase of typewriters, adding machines, calculators and other office machines, and for office furniture and equipment, technical books and publications. |