unfunded mandates

[/ʌnˈfʌndɪd ˈmændəts/]
nounpl: unfunded mandates
mandatos não financiados
1. Laws or regulations imposed by a higher level of government on a lower level without providing the necessary funding to implement them
The federal government passed unfunded mandates that required states to improve their education systems without allocating budget for these improvements.
O governo federal aprovou mandatos não financiados que exigiam que os estados melhorassem seus sistemas de educação sem alocar orçamento para essas melhorias.
2. Requirements imposed on organizations or individuals that they must comply with despite the costs falling entirely on them
Small businesses complained about unfunded mandates related to environmental compliance.
Pequenas empresas reclamaram sobre mandatos não financiados relacionados à conformidade ambiental.
This term is primarily used in American political discourse, particularly in discussions between state and federal governments. It represents a significant point of contention in U.S. federalism debates, as states and municipalities argue they are being required to implement programs without receiving adequate federal funding. The concept is less prevalent in Brazilian administration, though similar issues exist in the relationship between federal, state, and municipal governments.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unfunded requirementsmandates without fundingcost-shifting mandatesregulatory burdens
Antonyms / Antônimos
funded mandatesfully funded programsadequately resourced requirements

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
mandatos não financiados
Standard term used in political and administrative contexts
Portugal
mandatos não financiados
Same translation, though less commonly discussed in Portuguese administrative system
United States English
unfunded mandates
Common political and administrative term, particularly in state-federal relations

Related Words

mandatefederal fundingbudget allocationregulatory compliancecost-shiftinggovernment mandateappropriation

Related Idioms & Phrases

pass the buck
cost-shifting
regulatory burden
hollow mandate
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →