Number: RL34329
Title: Crosscut Budgets in Ecosystem Restoration Initiatives: Examples and Issues for Congress
Authors: Pervaze A. Sheikh, Resources, Science, and Industry Division; Clinton T. Brass, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: Crosscut budgets do not answer all of the criticisms of how large-scale ecosystem restoration initiatives are planned and implemented. For example, although they are typically used to show budgetary allocations across organizational boundaries, crosscut budgets often do not present information about desired outcomes or programmatic impacts. They may provide stakeholders, however, with a tool for organizing, planning, and working with funds and goals for these initiatives, albeit at a cost in terms of requiring additional analytical work and executive attention by participating agencies, which are typically scarce commodities. This report discusses typical and potential elements of a crosscut budget, provides examples of enacted legislation that authorizes the use of crosscut budgets, and examines some crosscut budgeting issues that Congress might consider.
Pages: 16
Date: January 22, 2008