Summary: Comments were presented on the Federal legislative role of GAO in the intergovernmental management of economic development. GAO plays two major roles: (1) the role of ensurer of executive branch accountability; and (2) the role of technician to Congress in its involvement in the intergovernmental management of economic development. The work of GAO on economic development is piecemeal and GAO work on intergovernmental management is more coherent. Economic development programs are administered by a variety of Federal agencies and affected by many congressional committees. This tends to force GAO to have a fragmented or program oriented policy on economic development. Although many agencies and committees are affected by the complexities of intergovernmental management, the GAO work in this area is more focused and more cohesive. The new Administration's program for economic recovery calls for changes in the community and regional development budget. With the new climate for the intergovernmental management of economic development emerging, GAO will continue to report to Congress on a variety of programs and issues in the intergovernmental management of economic development.
