Yesterday the Washington-based Federal Budget Group (FBG) announced the launch of the "first user-friendly, interactive Web site illustrating how the U.S. government raises and spends public funds."

"We believe every American should be able to access clear, accurate and nonpartisan information on how our government raises and spends nearly $3 trillion per year," said FBG President Charles S. Konigsberg.

The site opens by displaying total federal spending, divided among major categories, on a colorful pie chart. Each slice is accompanied by a display of FY'07 appropriations for the program, a brief program description, and the president's funding request for FY'08.

Users can then "drill down" further into the budget. For example, clicking on "other spending" reveals a colorful pie with slices dedicated to programs for "people in need, children, R&D, Justice, Labor, Health, Education, Transportation, Homeland Security" and other areas. Clicking on the "Education" slice further divides spending among Higher Education, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Vocational Education. The "Higher Education" slice, can be further opened to reveal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, Guaranteed Loans, Work-Study and similar programs.

Konigsberg says the free Web site is "designed to better acquaint, in a user-friendly environment, the public, journalists, academics, and the private, public and nonprofit sectors with the key priority decisions Congress makes each year in setting funding levels."
KW