Budgets at Last!

For the first time in more than 15 months, all agencies of the Federal Government are operating under budgets with signed appropriation bills.

We went through all of FY2007 under continuing resolutions for all agencies except Defense and Homeland Security. Under the rules of a continuing resolution, there are no new program starts and all spending is capped at the same level as the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. Theoretically, this limit is at the agency level, but as a practical matter, it’s done program by program.

NASA had to delay their Orion mission by a year because of the 2007 budget issues. The ability of the Census Bureau to test their new wireless systems has been seriously compromised and the FAA’s project to modernize the air traffic control system has been delayed.

DOT has been curiously silent about impacts to their Interstate Highway safety program. We know for sure that the bridge in Minneapolis was overdue for a full safety assessment. Were they waiting for Federal funds?

Now that budgets are in place (three months late), the agencies are scrambling to get contracts awarded and programs started (or restarted).

I guess it’s a case of better late than never. We already know what never is like!