No PDF currently available.
Summary: GAO requested $187,843,000 for fiscal year 1979, an increase of $11,863,000 over its 1978 appropriation. This request has three basic objectives: (1) to be able to respond to specific congressional requests for assistance; (2) to maintain a minimum level of audit and program evaluation activity for all programs for which GAO has audit responsibility under its basic statutes; and (3) to carry out continuing day-to-day responsibilities under basic statutes. The increase is needed to meet the requirements of known work load that cannot be met any other way. Each year the requirements of new legislation and the expansion of existing programs increase the work load; this impact on the work load is clear and measurable. A more difficult question is the extent to which the need for increased staff can be reduced by doing less work in other areas. GAO cannot continue to divert staff from other work without jeopardizing the adequacy of its audit coverage of major federal programs. The agency will need 95 additional average positions in 1979 to shore up and prevent further erosion of coverage. Beyond that, 25 average positions will be needed to meet the requirements of recent legislation. GAO accomplishments in fiscal year 1977 fall into four categories: (1) actions taken by the agencies or Congress implementing recommendations which result in readily measured savings; (2) management improvements that cannot be readily measured; (3) debts collected as a result of GAO claims activities; and (4) actions taken to improve program effectiveness.
