BLOC GRANT - READINGS FROM A FIRST EXPERIMENT

• NCJ Number: 14303
• Journal: Public Administration Review Volume: 30 Dated: (MARCH/APRIL 1970) Pages: 141-153
• Author(s): B D HARMAN
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc. for Public Admin
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

REVIEW OF LEAA BLOC GRANT CONCEPT, OPERATION, AND PROBLEMS ALONG WITH SURVEY RESULTS INDICATING ATTITUDES OF STATE GOVERNMENTS TOWARDS URBAN PROBLEMS AS PERCEIVED BY CITIES GROUPED BY POPULATION.

Abstract

IN ITS SIMPLEST FORM, THE BLOC GRANT IS AN UNCONDITIONAL GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STATE GOVERNMENTS WHICH CAN BE USED FOR ANY PROPER PURPOSES IN BROAD FUNCTIONAL AREAS. AS ONE OF THE FIRST BLOC GRANT PROGRAMS ENACTED BY CONGRESS, THE SAFE STREETS ACT HAS CAUSED CONTROVERSY AMONG THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITIES AND THE STATES OVER THE ROLE OF STATE GOVERNMENTS IN ADMINISTERING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. IT HAS ALSO CREATED TENSIONS BETWEEN FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND STATE PLANNERS OVER THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL AUTHORITY IN ADMINISTRATION OF A BLOC GRANT PROGRAM. ALTHOUGH THE GOALS OF THE BLOC GRANTS INCLUDE SIMPLIFICATION OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND REDUCTION OF FEDERAL DOMINANCE, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM IS COMPLEX BECAUSE EACH OF THE MAJOR PARTICIPANTS STRIVES TO GAIN OR MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)