4/ 5/ FY 81 Actual FY 85 Estimate 48,233 52,000 48,233 52,000 16,814 26,520 16,978 26,520 292,565 516,417 In FY 1981 the Public Records Office engaged in a massive filming project of internal Commission documents going back to 1976. This was a one time project. P.L. 96-187 also reduced the filing requirements and frequency of reports, thus the number of pages should be somewhat reduced in FY 1985 as compared to FY 1981. FY 1985 estimates reflect recapturing $200-500 contributions for the 1984 election cycle (estimate of 251,000 transactions); not accomplished in FY 1981. IMPLICATIONS OF REDUCING FEC FUNDING TO $10,230,000 IN FY 1985 FEC 1985 Request: $13,648,000 ($12,798,000+ $850,000 relocation expense). OMB Recommendation: $10,230,000 ($9,380,000 considering relocation expense). 1984 Actual: $10,744,000 ($10,649,000+ $95,000 anticipated pay supplemental). Because only summary information would be entered into the computer, printouts showing specific contributions made or received could not be produced. Similarly, reports of financial activity would include only general data. Candidates, political committees, the press, public and researchers would have to manually review disclosure reports to discern details. Those outside Washington, D. C. would be at a particular disadvantage. Similarly, reductions in information and travel budgets would also impact most harshly on those outside Washington. Seminars, workshops, conferences and speaking engagements designed to educate and promote voluntary compliance with the law could not be undertaken. Questions from the press, public, candidates and committees would either be responded to more slowly or not answered at all. Those desiring copies of such materials as the law, regulations, campaign guides and brochures would have to purchase them from GPO, rather than receive them directly from the FEC at no charge. State and local election officials responsible for administration of federal elections would not be able to benefit from the research and technical assistance provided by the National Clearinghouse on Election Administraton, the only national facility now performing these functions. Staff reductions would mean review of reports would take longer, even though the review could not be as thorough. Less effort could be directed toward correcting problems prior to their meriting audit or enforcement attention. Although reductions in voluntary compliance activities would mean a greater number of audits and enforcement actions, matters could not be addressed with the same timeliness as they had been previously. Failure to provide such basic support as adequate library materials, necessary supplies and equipment and training opportunities for remaining staff would represent inefficient use of public resources. These effects would result from the following reductions: - Elimination of all "Pass III" coding and entry of contributions by individuals and political committees. A two-thirds reduction in printing and editorial services. Cancellation of all Clearinghouse research contracts, including development of voluntary voting systems standards initiated in 1984. Virtual elimination of outreach travel and support. Reduction in library purchases by 50 percent. Decrease in equipment purchases by 80 percent. Elimination of 23 current staff positions (in addition to those resulting from reductions specified above), either through attrition or reduction-in-force. Reduction in employee training of 80 percent. Of course, improvements contemplated by the FEC in the areas of computer sevices, data coding and entry, remote access to information, Clearinghouse research and outreach could not be undertaken. FY 1984 Funding $ 10,744,000 ($10,649,000 approved + $95,000 pay supp'1) : Estimate Special FY 1985 Responsibilities and Circumstances November 6: General election day - Presidential and nearly 500 Congressional races (with attendant thousands of disclosure reports to be placed on the public record, indexed, reviewed and computerized). Continuing: Audit of Presidential primary candidates receiving public funds. Disbursement, then audit, of publicly-funded general election Presidential candidates. Congressional committee audits (which must, by law, be commenced within 6 months of the election). Feb., 1985: Lease on current office space expires. April, 1985: Current 5-year data processing contract expires. Actions Taken on Commission Budget Sept. 14, 1983: FEC $13,648,000 request sent to OMB and Congress. Nov. 28, 1983: Nov. 29, 1983: Dec. 20, 1983: Dec. 22, 1983: Initial OMB guidance. FEC formally appeals to OMB, requesting a hearing. |