3296                                      JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, Restoration of a balanced federalism is most
urgent, in view of the:

(1) Growing consensus among elected officials and the
public that program overlap, intergovernmental conflict,
waste, and unmet goals characterize the current system;

WHEREAS, The federal system has become distorted in
recent years as the result of a proliferation of national
categorical grant programs that either bypass the states or
treat them as administrative arms of the national
government; and

WHEREAS, There is concern that some national programs
are not well managed and are not sufficiently effective,
efficient, and accountable to the public; and

WHEREAS, Restoration of a proper balance to our federal
system is most urgent, in view of the:

(1)  Growing consensus among elected officials and the
public that the overlapping of programs and conflicts
between different levels of government promote waste and
leave many goals unmet;

(2)  Overall need to limit costs and growth at all
levels of government; and

(3)  Increased efforts and capacity of state
governments to provide services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
Congress of the United States and the Administration of
President Reagan should:

(1) Further the effect of the Federal Assistance

Reform Act that established systematic procedures for

congressional consideration of grant consolidations,

streamlining cross-cutting requirements, and appropriating
funds 1 year in advance of the year in which they will be
spent;

(1)  Further efforts at the national level to establish
systematic procedures for congressional consideration of
grant consolidations, avoid overlapping programs, and
appropriate funds 1 year in advance of the year in which
they will be spent;

(2)  Enact federal fiscal note legislation requiring
that the Congressional Budget Office assess the east
immediate and projected costs to state and local governments
of legislation pending before Congress as a first step to
controlling federal mandates on state and local governments;

(3)  Assure that the fiscal effect of federal
regulations on state and local governments are is assessed
before their promulgation;