Deck 4: Budget Cycles

Question 1

In most states, where is the state budget office housed?

A) In the governor's office
B) In the legislative oversight bureau
C) In a department of administration and management
D) In a stand-alone agency

Answer 1

C

Question 2

During the budget execution phase, some form of centralized expenditure control is common at what levels of government?

A) The federal level
B) The state level
C) The local level
D) All of these are correct.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

What is the process called when the President of the United States refuses to release funds to agencies that have already been approved in the federal budget?

A) Necessary reductions
B) Impoundment
C) Pocket veto
D) Executive privilege

Answer 3

B

Question 4

In the United States today, approximately how many states operate with biennial budgets?

A) 15%
B) 30%
C) 60%
D) Almost all states

Question 5

Although biennial budgets may allow greater time for more thorough analysis of government activities and could eliminate an enormous amount of "busy work," according to budget reformers, why do the federal government and most states continue to rely on annual budgets?

A) Makes prompt responses to external conditions more difficult
B) New information cannot be factored into program changes as quickly
C) Both makes prompt responses to external conditions more difficult and new information cannot be factored into program changes as quickly

Question 6

A majority of cities in the United States follow the principle of executive budget preparation.

A) True
B) False
C) Depends on the form of government: strong mayor, weak mayor, commission.

Question 7

During the budget preparation phase, only the chief executive is committed to viewing the budget and its policy implications in their entirety.

Question 8

All public budgets must be approved by a legislative body such as the U.S. Congress, a state legislature, a county board of supervisors, a city council, or a school board.

Question 9

While overlapping periods in the budget process may exist at all levels of government, there is only one annual budget cycle.

Question 10

What is the fundamental purpose of public budgeting?

Question 11

What are the four phases the budget cycle?

Question 12

What is one of the most common complaints about the preparation and approval phases of the budget cycle?

Question 13

At the state and local levels, what is the most common first step in the budget preparation process?

Question 14

What are some of the dominant political considerations involved in the preparation phase of public budgets?

Question 15

While every public budget process must include both revenue and expenditure forecasts, how is this handled at the federal level?

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of the apportionment process?

Question 17

What are the principal objectives of the audit and evaluation phase of public budgeting?

Question 18

Although the majority of states have fiscal years beginning July 1st, which states do not and when do their fiscal years begin?

Question 19

Describe the fiscal interdependence of the various levels of government in the United States. How do the budget cycles and budget processes of each effect the others? How does this complicate the budget deliberations at the various levels?