LCER HAS BEEN INVOLVED PRIMARILY IN CONDUCTING EVALUATION AUDITS TO DETERMINE WHETHER STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT THEIR PROGRAMS IN LINE WITH LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND FUNDING AUTHORIZATION. IN ADDITION, LCER STAFF HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED SHORT-TERM TOPICS OF CONCERN TO THE LEGISLATURE AND USED BY ITS FISCAL COMMITTEE. THE JOINT BIPARTISAN COMMISSION HAS 12 MEMBERS, INCLUDING 10 FROM THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND TWO PRIVATE CITIZENS. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS APPOINTED BY, AND SERVES AT, THE PLEASURE OF THE COMMISSION. COMMISSION POLICIES REGARDING LCER STUDIES ARE THAT (1) REPORTS CONTAIN NO RECOMMENDATIONS; (2) PRIOR TO PUBLIC RELEASE OF ANY LCER REPORT, INVOLVED AGENCIES REVIEW THE DRAFT AND COMMENT ON THE CONTENT, FINDINGS, AND ACCURACY OF THE REPORT; AND (3) HEADLINE PUBLICITY IS NEITHER SOUGHT NOR ENCOURAGED. THE FOUR MAIN AREAS IN WHICH THE COMMISSION IS INVOLVED ARE, EXAMINATION AND REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES OF STATE DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE FUNDS ARE CORRECTLY SPENT AND PROGRAMS ARE IMPLEMENTED, STUDY OF LOCAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FISCAL RELATIONSHIPS, ECONOMIC STUDIES OF STATE NEEDS AND EXPENDITURES AND RESEARCH ON ALL FISCAL PLANS OF THE STATE. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES WITH TWO BRIEF LCER CASE STUDIES ON NEW YORK STATE PARKWAYS AND FINANCIAL AID TO CRIME VICTIMS. (MJW)