The Budget Is a Knuckleball

The start of Major League Baseball’s playoffs coincides with the beginning of the federal fiscal year. In both cases one should prepare for an exciting fall.

Unlike baseball, the federal budget process is not intentionally exciting. It just turns out that way. What is supposed to happen is by October 1 all the funds for the coming year are released to the federal government. What actually happens (for 15 of the last 18 years) is that most federal agencies start the year by getting funding through a ‘continuing resolution.’ That is, we’re given enough money to just keep doing what we are doing for a little while. Right now, for instance, we have enough money to get through November 16, or about two weeks after the World Series ends.

If you run an EPA program or need an EPA grant, this can make life exciting. Although, not in a good way. Managers can’t count on long-term plans. Organizations that get EPA grants don’t know how much money they will receive or when they will receive it. At this point no one knows what will happen after November 16. Will we get more money or less money? Will the money be moved around to different programs? Will we get money for the rest of the year or more short-term funding?

A lot of people have shared their anxiety with me. The uncertainty drives them crazy. They’re like Cubs fans, they hope for the best, but expect the worst. In response I tell them about Joe Ginsberg.

Ginsberg played baseball for the Baltimore Orioles in the late 1950s. He was Hoyt Wilhelm’s catcher. That was a very tough job. Wilhelm was a knuckleball pitcher which means he would throw the ball and where it would end up was anyone’s guess. To deal with the unpredictability of Wilhelm’s pitches, Ginsberg used a huge oversized mitt called Big Bertha (see picture) and would patiently wait until the last split second to snatch Wilhelm’s pitches out of the air. The mitt provided more room for error. Waiting to catch it reduced the likelihood of making a mistake.

So whether you’re involved in post-season play or late season budgets, my advice is carry a big glove and be very patient.