Good Budget Change Proposals (BCPs)

Departments have often asked for training in developing good Budget Change Proposals (BCPs). Sometimes Department of Finance budget analysts and principals have provided training to their counterparts in departments. In the mid-1980s, Finance developed “How To Write An Effective Budget Change Proposal (BCP)“. The document has been updated periodically and provided to departments in the annual Technical Budget Letter since the early 1990s.

In a survey, several departments requested that examples of some good BCPs be made available to them. Finance staff were asked during the development of the 1998-99 Governor’s Budget to identify some good BCPs. Six BCPs were identified and posted on this page. Since that time, the BCP template has changed and the Finance staff is working on selecting new samples. They will be posted when available.

Regardless of how well a BCP is written, there are a number of factors which affect whether a BCP will be included in the Governor’s Budget or the Budget that is enacted by the Legislature. Some of these factors are outside of a department’s sphere of influence.

Generally, the Governor’s Budget includes BCPs that:

  • Document and address a compelling public need
  • Agree/coincide with the Administration’s goals and policies
  • Rank as a high priority for the Administration/Agency/department
  • Justify the needs based on benefits, costs and/or workload
  • Convey planning and coordination
  • Realistically address alternatives
  • Spend only funds that are available
  • Comply with the Department of Finance BCP timelines and instructions