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That's the idealized definition, yes. But in practice, that's not how it works. There are one-time projects, ongoing programs, an ever-changing list of agency
by caseysoftware 11y ago
That's the idealized definition, yes. But in practice, that's not how it works.
There are one-time projects, ongoing programs, an ever-changing list of agency priorities, and - like any negotiation - groups start higher than they need so they have wiggle room. And yes, many of those things are out of thin air or completely arbitrary.
- rgbrenner 11y agojust so we're clear, you're claiming that the Congressional Budget Office -- which creates baseline budgets twice per year -- is operating outside of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (which requires it to create baseline budgets), and is instead creating budgets that are completely arbitrary. That's quite a claim. EDIT: Now that I think about it, you're clearing confusing budget requests with baseline budgets. Everything you've said applies to budget requests.. none of it applies to baseline budgeting.
- caseysoftware 11y agoI've specified "agencies" since my first comment, not the CBO. In the US, those are separate branches - executive vs legislative respectively - and use different approaches to build their "baselines." CBO assumes the government continues current operations and applies the effects of new laws to create their baseline. Agencies include discretionary spending to create their baseline. All of this is noted on the Wikipedia page.
- rgbrenner 11y agoyes, I read the entire wikipedia article. Did you read it? Because it does not support what you're saying. You've made up a definition of baseline budgets that does not exist... it sounds like your version combines baseline budgets -- which are created by the CBO; and budget requests -- which are submitted by the various departments of the executive. Baseline is defined by law. There's no made up definition or arbitrary budget. Budget requests are not baseline budgets. These are two completely different things.