Federal block grants can achieve great results if used correctly by honest and ethical administrations. Federal money should be used for necessary programs that the city or state would normally be funding anyways. The government grants free up those state and city funds which can be spent on other services like reducing taxes. In this way, a federal grant achieves results for more than one program (Kettl, D. F. 2013). The local government needs discretion to apply federal money where it is most needed in order to maximize results across multiple programs. The funds should not be viewed as excess resources to spend carelessly.
Ideally, block grants would require minimal management from the federal government, would not be affected by political concerns and would have objectives designed to improve the lives of the citizens living in the locality. The reality is many administrations are using federal funds for trivial or illegal purposes. Also many small cities lack the administrative capabilities needed to effectively gain or administer block grants, and these may be the areas that need federal aid the most. Either way, a majority of block grants are not accomplishing the goals they were created for (Collins, B. K., & Gerber, B. J., 2006).
As a citizen …show more content…
Although, it is important that the federal government exhibit discretion with the allocation of the grants, state and local institutions are still responsible to the public and should practice integrity while exhibiting 100% accountability with the management of block grants (Kelly, C. 2013). Misappropriated use of block grants is a common problem, and the federal government needs to step in and regulate more closely. Unfortunately the citizens of those cities and states are the ones punished if grants are denied due to unethical or incompetent public
Ideally, block grants would require minimal management from the federal government, would not be affected by political concerns and would have objectives designed to improve the lives of the citizens living in the locality. The reality is many administrations are using federal funds for trivial or illegal purposes. Also many small cities lack the administrative capabilities needed to effectively gain or administer block grants, and these may be the areas that need federal aid the most. Either way, a majority of block grants are not accomplishing the goals they were created for (Collins, B. K., & Gerber, B. J., 2006).
As a citizen …show more content…
Although, it is important that the federal government exhibit discretion with the allocation of the grants, state and local institutions are still responsible to the public and should practice integrity while exhibiting 100% accountability with the management of block grants (Kelly, C. 2013). Misappropriated use of block grants is a common problem, and the federal government needs to step in and regulate more closely. Unfortunately the citizens of those cities and states are the ones punished if grants are denied due to unethical or incompetent public