BUDGET ANALYSIS

Budget Analysis

Introduction

The proposed fiscal year 2012, Obama's budget request for Indian Affairs, which includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Office of Indian Education (BIE), is $ 2.5 billion - a decrease of $ 118,900,000 Enacted FY 2010 / FY 2011 Continuing Resolution (CR) levels. Included in the reduction is the elimination of a one-time increase in 2010 to fund future tribal colleges ($ 50 million) and implementation of Public Safety and Justice Construction projects ($ 47 million). The budget also excludes $ 14.5 million in nonrecurring funds to complete the water rights settlements. However, Indian Affairs still had to make some tough decisions, and the request reflects the president's commitment to fiscal responsibility, while fulfilling the responsibilities of the nation to the 565 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes by strengthening initiative of the Department of the Interior Tribal Nations. (Lipsey, 2009)

Discussion

"The President's budget request for Indian Affairs recognized the need to maintain our responsibilities to the Indian nation," said Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk. "Indigenous Affairs Constitutional relationship" with the tribes and their unique federal responsibility for American Indians and Alaska Natives are the heart of our mission. By making these difficult decisions now, we can keep doing the vital investments needed to sustain economic growth and recovery of indigenous territories, while maintaining our core functions. Continue to support efforts of the President through prudent management of federal funds entrusted to them as we work to strengthen Tribal Nations. " Strengthening Tribal Nations Initiative

The 2012 budget proposes a strengthening of Tribal Nations initiative that builds on the Administration's commitment, expressed through meetings with tribal leaders in 2009 and 2010 to improve conditions in Indian Country. The initiative is continuing efforts to improve the safety of tribal communities, improve the management of trust resources and advance indigenous education, all with the ultimate goal of greater self-determination of tribal nations. (Jimmy, 2010)

The request includes 89.6 million U.S. dollars in gains from the initiative of strengthening of Tribal Nations in the areas of promotion from nation to nation relations (42.3 million dollars), India Protection of the country (20.0 million), improving Land trust ($ 18.4 million) and Development of Indian Education ($ 8.9 million). (Lipsey, 2009)  Under forward from nation to nation relations, for fiscal year 2012 budget request promotes the goal of self-determination through increases in funding: Support contract ($ 29.5 million) to the tribes that operate BIA-funded programs can cover administrative costs, without loss of program funds, small and needy tribes (3.0 million) to finance the tribes with a population of 1,700 or fewer members at a minimum level required to run viable tribal governments, social services (2.0 million) for social workers to serve the tribal communities, and improvement of management ($ 7.8 million) to support the work of the BIA is helping tribes manage and be responsible for programs funded by the Office, but operated by tribes. (Jimmy, 2010)  The total FY 2012 budget request for the BIA Law Enforcement is ...