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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION <br /> <br /> INTRODUCTION . <br />On October 20, 1972, Congress passed a law which established the General Revenue <br /> the U.S. <br /> the <br /> Sharing Program. Under Program, the Federal Government provides almost 39,000 State <br /> and local governments, Indian tribes, and Alaskan native villages with a certain amount of <br /> inco~-~e tax dollars. These monies are called revenue sharing funds. They are distributed to <br /> State and local governments because the Congress believes officials of these governments can <br />I better understand many of the needs of people in their respective communities. <br /> <br /> The General Revenue Sharing Program was revised by a new law in 1976. The new law does <br /> several thln~s. First, it extends the Program through September 30, 1980. About $25.5 billion <br /> I has been set aside to continue the flow of financial assistance to State and local governments. <br /> Second, certain restrictions on the use of revenue sharing funds have been removed. This <br />Imoney may now be used by these governments in the same way as their locally collected <br />revenue. At the same time, the new law includes strict prohibitions against the use of revenue <br />sharing funds for discriminatory purposes. Third, the law provides new opportunities for <br />I pubtic involvement in deciding how a government's revenue sharing money is to be spent. <br />Public involvement in the General Revenue Sharing Program means participation in <br />discussions that lead up to important decisions which affect your life. It does not mean that <br />I citizens themselves will actually revenue sharing are to be used. This is the <br /> decide <br /> how <br /> fUhds <br /> responsibility of your government's elected officials who are accountable to the voters for their <br /> <br /> iactions. However, the expression of your opinion to your elected officials is an important part <br /> of the democratic process. By voicing your concerns, you can help your government officials <br /> determine how revenue sharing money should be spent. <br /> The purpose of this booklet is to tell you a little about the General Revenue Sharing Program <br /> and how you can participate in it. We hope you will read the following pages carefully and... <br /> GET INVOLVED <br /> <br /> For further information, contact: <br /> The Office of Revenue Sharing <br /> U.S. Department of the Treasu~ <br /> Washington, D.C. 20026 <br /> <br /> <br />