Mark Hatfield: “I am pleased to offer an amendment to S. 4 which builds upon previous work of the Senate in granting greater flexibility…”

“I am pleased to offer an amendment to S. 4 which builds upon previous work of the Senate in granting greater flexibility to States and to local jurisdictions. In an age of increasingly limited Federal resources, my amendment is designed to help local government and nonprofits direct funds in the areas that help their communities the most. My amendment creates a demonstration project under the Community Enterprise Board to allow up to 30 local governments in 6 States to allow much greater flexibility in the way they administer Federal economic development and social service funds. Broader local discretion will help our Nation's communities and local areas position themselves to be successful in our Nation's changing economic and social environment without any increase in Federal spending. Currently, local governments are eligible for hundreds of separate categorical grants for social services and economic development. Federal programs have largely been created in response to a particular need or problem. Programs that provide similar services may be administered by completely different agencies. Many grant programs are narrow, and regulatory rigidity means Federal dollars end up mired in audits and recordkeeping rather than in services to people. This demonstration refocuses attention from the administrative process to the services delivered to people and communities.”