Legislative Fiscal Analysts: Influence in State Budget Development

• Published in: State & local government review Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 41 - 51
• Main Author: Hoffman, Kim U.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia 01.04.2006; SAGE Publications
• Subjects: Appropriations legislation; Budget appropriations; Budget policy; Budgets; Conditioning; Decision Making; Federal budgets; Financial budgets; Government budgets; Legislators; Legislatures; Public administration; Recommendations; Reputation
• ISSN: 0160-323X; 1943-3409
• DOI: 10.1177/0160323X0603800105

This study assesses the influence of legislative fiscal analysts in the development of state budgets. Legislative fiscal analysts, legislators, agency personnel, and executive budget analysts in four states were surveyed to determine the qualities of analysts who are identified as influential. The findings show that legislative fiscal analysts are influential in that they provide historical agency information, program descriptions, and explanations of past decisions to enable legislative decision making on the budget. Moreover, as agenda setters, analysts focus the decision-making parameters by identifying key issues and concerns, developing policy options, and in some states, preparing budget recommendations. Analyst expertise, frequency of contact with key budget actors, visibility in the budget process, trusting relationships between analysts and legislators, and fiscal office reputation are important factors conditioning the degree of influence.