Public Budgeting and Economy

For this assignment you will view the State of Arizona Appropriations hearing for the Universities and the Department of Economic Security. After viewing the Appropriations hearing, you will then write an analysis paper addressing the points outlined in Step 2 below. The goal of this assignment is to provide experience viewing an actual budget hearing, so that you can see concepts from the course ‘in action’.

Step 1: View the FY 14 Appropriations Hearing for the Universities and the Department of Economic Security (held in February 20, 2013). Total view time is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.

A) Open the Arizona House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations hearing. http://azleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=21&clip_id=11849 (sound does not start until approximately 1:25 – where Appropriations Chair is explaining what the JLBC Baseline represents).

The handout referred to at the FY 13 budget hearing can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

B) JLBC Presentation – Universities, Appropriations Committee Hearing http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/14unislideshow.pdf

C) JLBC Presentation – Department of Economic Security, Appropriations Committee Hearing http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/14desslideshow.pdf

D) The Governor’s Budget Recommendation for FY 2014 can be found by clicking on the link http://www.ospb.state.az.us/documents/2013/Budget%20Book%20FY14-FY15.pdf
-scroll to page 373 for the Governor’s Recommendation for the Universities
-scroll to page 102 for the Governor’s Recommendation for the Department of Economic Security (DES)

Step 2: Write an analysis paper that addresses the following topic areas in the body of your paper:
-The role of the JLBC analysts for the Universities and DES at the meeting and the interaction between the elected members and JLBC analysts;
-the role of the University and DES agency representatives the interaction between the elected members and agency representatives. Where they effective in explaining why additional funding is needed? In your perspective, who provided a more effective presentation – the University representatives or the DES Director?;
-the role of the public and/or interest groups at the meeting and the interaction between the elected officials and the public and/or interest groups; and
-anything else of note.
Your paper should contain:
An introductory paragraph that establishes the issues that your paper will address and how the paper will address those issues;
A body that addresses the issues listed above and includes direct references to the course assigned readings, and
A conclusion that sums up the points addressed in your paper.