Last year, I proposed that Congress enact a $1 billion counter-cyclical
fiscal assistance program to protect States and localities from unexpected
changes in the national economy. This program unfortunately was not enacted
by the [full] Congress. I, therefore, have not included funding for
counter-cyclical aid in my Fiscal Year 1982 budget. Nevertheless, I urge
Congress to enact a permanent stand-by counter-cyclical program, so that
States and cities can be protected during the next economic downturn.