Governor Rowland: Number 6

WHEREAS, the people of Connecticut deserve a system of government designed for and committed to maximizing the funds it receives from the federal government; and

WHEREAS, State government, therefore, has an obligation to its citizens to optimize the use of those funds; and

WHEREAS, the anticipated significant changes in those funds by the United States Congress this year demand that our State government scrutinize more closely than ever how they will be utilized;

WHEREAS, the Executive Branch has begun to do so through the creation and efforts of the Interagency Federal Block Grant Task Force; and , it is necessary that the mission of the Task Force be pursued in conjunction with the Legislative Branch of State Government;

NOW THEREFORE, I, John G. Rowland, Governor of the State of Connecticut, acting by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1.	That there is hereby created a Federal Funds Advisory Council (hereinafter Council), which will study how to respond to significant changes in federal funds the State is expected to receive this year and recommend changes intended to ensure that those funds be directed in the best way possible.
2.	That the Council shall consist of (1) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, who shall also serve as chairperson; (2) the Commissioners of the Departments of Social Services, Education, Children and Families, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Public Health, Mental Retardation, Transportation, Labor, Higher Education, and Economic Development, (Economic and Community Development as of October 1, 1995) or their designees; and (3) other agencies as needed, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Senate, the chairpersons of the Committees on Appropriations and Finance, Revenue and Bonding, or their designees; (4) the State Comptroller, the State Treasurer, and the Attorney General, or their designees.
3.	That the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall schedule and convene the Council's meetings. The Office of Policy and Management shall staff the Council.
4.	That the Council, in consultation with the Interagency Federal Block Grant Task Force, its working groups and whomever else the Council believes, shall assist in meeting its objective:
	a.	Propose legislative and regulatory changes necessitated by new federal block grant and federal funds legislation, including but not limited to: (i) recommendations to enable State agencies to respond to significant changes in federal funding, (ii) recommendations to enable State agencies to take advantage of federal funding opportunities, where appropriate, and (iii) proposals on the utilization of Federal Funds that would enhance collaboration between and among State agencies for the purpose of providing more efficient service delivery at the local and regional levels within the State.
5.	That the Council shall not later than February 15, 1996, submit a report to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and finance, revenue and bonding, in accordance with the provisions of section 11 -4a of the general statutes. The report shall (a) state the amount of federal funds applied for, received and retained by State agencies during the preceding State fiscal year, (b) describe new federal funding opportunities that may exist, (c) indicate how State agencies implemented plans that significantly accessed federal block grant funds and other federal funds during the preceding State fiscal year, (d) make recommendations for appropriate legislative and administrative action, and (e) make other findings and recommendations as determined by the Council.
6.	This order shall take effect immediately.