**GAO-03-239**                      Published: Nov 22, 2002. Publicly Released: Nov 22, 2002.                  

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## Highlights

The administration has twice proposed reducing the Workforce Investment Act's (WIA) budget, citing large amounts of states' unspent funds carried over from the prior year. However, in light of current economic conditions, state and local workforce officials have expressed a need for more funds, not less. GAO was asked to assess whether the Department of Labor's spending information is a true reflection of states' available funds. GAO examined the spending rate for states, what Labor does to determine how states are managing their spending, and what factors affect states' WIA expenditure rates.

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## Topics

Employment

Comparative analysisFederal aid to statesstate relationsFunds managementLocally administered programsState-administered programsAppropriated fundsFinancial managementAllocation (Government accounting)Expenditure of funds