maintenance of effort

maintenance of effort Sec. 221. No State and no political subdivision of such State shall be eligible to receive benefits under this Act unless the aggregate expenditures of State funds, exclusive of Federal funds, for the benefit of the area within the State located in the region are maintained at a level which does not fall below the average level of such expenditures for its last two full fiscal years preceding the date of enactment of this Act. In computing the average level of expenditure for its last two fiscal years, a State’s past expenditure for participation in the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways shall not. be included. The Commission shall recommend to the President or such Federal officer or officers as the President may designate, a lesser requirement when it. finds that a substantial population decrease in that portion of a State which lies within the region would not justify a State expenditure equal to the average level of the last two years or when it finds that a State’s average level of expenditure, within an individual program, has been disproportionate to the present need for that portion of the State which lies within the region.