Making Heads or Tails of the Budget Process Darrel Harmon US EPA Office of Air and Radiation

What Is the Federal Budget? A Historical Record A Plan for…… How the Government Spends Money How the Government Pays for Activities Government Borrowing or Repayment

How Does the Government Create a Budget? Federal Budget Submitted to Congress in February for the Next Fiscal Year President Gives Policy Direction Agencies Prepare more Detailed Justifications of their Programs OMB Prepares President’s budget Congressional Action

The Budget Operates in Three Separate Fiscal Years FY 2008 Calendar Year FY 2009 Calendar Year FY 2010 Calendar Year FY 2008 BudgetBudget Execution FY 2009 BudgetCongressional Review Operating Plan Budget Execution FY 2010 BudgetStrategic Planning Budget Formulation Congressional Review Operating Plan Budget Execution

EPA’s annual budget process 2010 Budget Calendar: Feb 08: FY09 President’s budget to Congress April/May 08: OAR draft 2010 budget outline developed* June 08: annual OCFO budget hearings* July/August 08: internal budget preparation September/October 08: OMB budget hearings and review* November/December 08: OMB ‘passback’ budget to OAR January 09: OAR revises budget based on OMB passback February 09: revisions returned to OMB to include in President’s budget – President’s budget delivered to Congress Work starts on strategic and annual plan development Some steps are different leading up to an election year

Opportunities for Tribal Input Spring: February/March/April 08 Input to OAR on planning 2010 budget Summer: Annual Plan Development Direct input to OAR and OCFO June 08 Meeting Fall: OMB Budget Review Sept/Oct. 08 Spring/Summer 09: Congressional Appropriations Process Tribal comments: Through RTOC and NTOC Direct from tribes/tribal organizations/individuals To OMB, OCFO and OAR

Congressional Action President’s Budget Submitted to Congress House & Senate Budget Committees Prepare Budget Resolution House & Senate Pass Appropriations Differences are Resolved in Conference Committees and then Passed by Full House and Senate President Signs Budget into Law

Congressional Action House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies: MAJORITY (D) Chair: Norman D. Dicks (WA) James P. Moran (VA) Maurice D. Hinchey (NY) John W. Olver (MA) Alan B. Mollohan (WV) Tom Udall (NM) Ben Chandler (KY) Ed Pastor (AZ) Dave Obey (WI), Ex Officio Minority (R) Ranking Member: Todd Tiahrt (KS) John E. Peterson (PA) Jo Ann Emerson (MO) Virgil H. Goode, Jr. (VA) Ken Calvert (CA) Michael Stephens, Subcommittee Clerk Room B-308 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC Phone: (202)

Congressional Action Senate Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies: MAJORITY Democratic Subcommittee Members: Senator Diane Feinstein (Chairman) (CA) Senator Robert C. Byrd (WV) Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) Senator Byron Dorgan (ND) Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD) Senator Herb Kohl (WI) Senator Tim Johnson (SD) Senator Jack Reed (RI) Senator Ben Nelson (NE) MINORITY Republican Subcommittee Members: Senator Wayne Allard (Ranking Member (CO) Senator Larry Craig (ID) Senator Ted Stevens (AK) Senator Thad Cochran (MS) Senator Pete Domenici (NM) Senator Robert Bennett (UT) Senator Judd Gregg (NH) Senator Lamar Alexander (TN) Senate Appropriations Committee The Capitol, S-131 Washington, D.C Telephone

Conclusion: Budget process is fairly consistent Opportunities for comment are predictable Tribes can comment: As individuals, tribes, tribal organizations Comments should go to: OAR, OCFO and OMB at appropriate times And may also go to legislators