ACIR: A Mixed Review

Abstract

The United States Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) has had a long and productive existence. Created in 1959, Commission has produced a large number of publications that have contributed greatly to our knowledge of intergovernmental relations. It has also made many recommendations. These have received mixed reactions. At times, recommendations have been seriously considered by Congress and executive branch. At other times, recommendations have been ignored. The ACIR says it is the first official 'federal' body created since Constitutional Convention itself. Lacking action mandate of that great body, ACIR nevertheless has over years forged an important agenda as we move into third century of this vast American experiment. Among its many contributions, most important may well have been development of block grant concept. The Commission also played a major role in debate on revenue sharing. Moreover, it has provided a valuable service with its continuing surveys of public's view of federal system. These surveys sometimes tell us things we do not necessarily want to hear (e.g., that public favors state sales taxes over state income taxes); nonetheless, information has been invaluable for state policymakers. The Commission's work as illustrated by its publications can be divided into two categories: economic (fiscal) studies and governmental (structural, state and local, and like) studies. We would similarly like to separate our comments into these two areas.