1. Analyze the agency’s (or department’s) budget by following these six (6)
   steps and including the results of the analysis in your paper by: (a)
   identifying the agency’s budget as executive department or an independent
   agency; (b) determining which of the appropriation subcommittees has
   jurisdiction over each agency’s budget request; (c) determining where each
   agency’s operations fall in the functional classification of the federal budget;
   (d) determining the budget authority and outlays proposed for the agency; and
   (e) determining the actual outlays and budget authority for the agency in that
   year. (Title this section Budget Overview.)
2. Analyze two (2) major political influences on and primary accountability
   areas required of program administrators after reviewing FY2012 regarding
   mandatory and discretionary budgets. (Title this section Budgeting
   Assessment.)
3. Explain which intergovernmental agency, or agencies, contributes to and / or
   influences the budgetary decisions for the current and future budget over the
   next five (5) years. (Title this section Analysis of Budgeting Plans and Actual
   Expenditures.)
4. Analyze the impact of international policy making on the current year’s
   budgets and possible impact on future budget line items. (Title this section
   Implications of Foreign Policy.)
5. Recommend two (2) robust ways in which the agency could improve the budget
   for the next fiscal year. (Title this section Budget Request and
   Recommendations.) 
6. Provide proof of one to two (1-2) interviews by submitting the completed
   interview form with a list of questions for and responses from each interviewee.
   (Put this in the Appendix under Interview Forms.)
7. Provide four to five (4-5) relevant and credible outside resources that
   support the content of this assignment. (Include no more than one (1)
   non-government Website.)

Your assignment must follow these
formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch
  margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or
  school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional
  instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s
  name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The sections must
  have appropriate titles. The cover page, interview forms, reference page, and
  the appendices are not included in the required assignment page
  length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this
assignment are:

• Recommend ways to improve specific areas of public administration.
• Analyze the fundamental components of effective budgeting, including sources
  of revenue, political influences, purposes, types, and accountability of program
  administrators.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in public
  administration.
• Write clearly and concisely about public administration using proper writing
  mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer
quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using
the following rubric.

Click here to view the grading rubric.