Federal statistics: the effect of program cuts on availability, utility and quality

Cutbacks in U.S. federal statistical programs have attracted considerable attention during the past year, particularly those that have been associated with efforts to reduce federal government expenditures. However, there have been a variety of changes during the past several years that intentionally or unintentionally have had the effect of reducing federal data resources. Among the legislative actions have been the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, which has affected statistical, as well as administrative, data collection. There have also been changes in philosophy concerning the role of the federal government, including both deregulation and the new federalism, that imply a substantial change in federal data collection activities. In addition, the Administration's announced intention to institute user charges will affect the availability of federal statistics. This article reviews some of these changes as seen from the perspective of users of federal statistics who have presented testimony to congressional committees during the past year. It identifies and classifies the principal concerns of these users and provides a guide to the literature.