State And Local Energy Block Grant Act Of 1981 PDF Download

The choice of design features for block grants is properly a political function that should be driven by the ultimate objectives the Congress is seeking to achieve. Block grants intended to continue Federal stewardship of national objectives in a more flexible or decentralized manner should have significantly different design features than block grants intended principally to devolve Federal responsibilities back to State and local governments. In designing a block grant program, the Congress must consider the trade-offs between State and local discretion and Federal control. At one end of the spectrum, block grants may become indistinguishable from general revenue sharing, if, for example, a maintenance of effort provision is not included. On the other hand, detailed Federal eligibility rules, standards, or funding requirements could transform the block grant into a categorical grant, thus lessening any benefits that could be realized from greater State and local discretion. A balance should be sought between the extent of flexibility provided to State and local governments and the degree of accountability to the Federal Government required to assure that the program's national objectives will be met. A number of different provisions can be incorporated into block grants to facilitate the achievement of national objectives. The provisions considered should be nonintrusively framed to encourage States and localities to meet national objectives in the broadest possible way and provide flexibility. The provisions could encourage achievement of goals without specifying the means to be used. (Author).