# Budgets
The "Rules of the Republican Party of the State of Delaware" address the **budget** of the party in specific provisions, primarily within **Article V, Section 4**, which outlines the responsibilities of the **Executive Committee** and the role of the **State Chairperson** in budget preparation and approval. Below is a comprehensive summary of the rules pertaining to budgets, organized by key aspects.
### 1. **Preparation of the Annual Budget**
- **Article V, Section 4, A**:
- The **State Chairperson** is responsible for preparing an **annual budget** for the Republican Party of the State of Delaware.
- The budget must be **submitted to the Executive Committee** in **January** of each year.
- **Purpose**: The budget outlines the financial plan for the party’s operations, including expenses for administrative activities, conventions, candidate support, and other initiatives.
### 2. **Review and Approval by the Executive Committee**
- **Article V, Section 4, A**:
- The **Executive Committee** is tasked with **reviewing and approving** the annual budget.
- A **final budget** must be approved by the Executive Committee no later than the **last day of February** each year.
- **Process**: As the Executive Committee includes voting members such as the State Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and others (Article V, Section 1), the approval process involves deliberation and a vote, though the specific voting threshold is not detailed in the rules.
- **Implication**: The Treasurer, as a voting member of the Executive Committee, likely plays a key role in ensuring the budget’s financial accuracy and compliance with legal requirements (Article III, Section 7).
### 3. **Context Within Financial Oversight**
- **Article III, Section 7, C and D** (Treasurer’s Duties):
- The **Treasurer** is responsible for filing **financial statements and reports** with Delaware or federal authorities as required and maintaining **proper records of all receipts and expenses**.
- While not explicitly tied to the budget process, these duties ensure that the approved budget aligns with financial transparency and legal obligations, providing a framework for tracking expenditures against the budget.
- **Article VII, Section 1, B** (Finance Committee):
- The **Finance Committee**, a standing committee appointed by the **State Chairperson** with one member designated as its Chairperson (Article VII, Sections 2 and 4), likely supports budget preparation and oversight, though the rules do not explicitly define its role in the budgeting process.
- The Finance Committee’s involvement may include advising the State Chairperson or reviewing financial plans before submission to the Executive Committee.
### 4. **No Compensation for Officers**
- **Article IV, Section 11**:
- Party officers, including those involved in budget approval (e.g., Chairperson, Treasurer), cannot receive **compensation** for their service, though they may receive **reimbursement of expenses**.
- **Implication**: The budget may include provisions for expense reimbursements for officers and staff (e.g., the Executive Director), but not salaries for elected officers, affecting budget allocations.
### 5. **Budget Implementation and Party Resources**
- **Article VI, Section 18**:
- The budget likely includes allocations for **party resources** used to support **endorsed candidates** during General Conventions (e.g., GOTV mailers, office space), as these are explicitly permitted for endorsed candidates but not for non-endorsed candidates, in accordance with campaign finance laws.
- **Implication**: The approved budget governs how financial resources are allocated for candidate support, ensuring compliance with party rules and legal restrictions.
### Limitations and Gaps:
- The rules do not specify the **content** of the budget (e.g., categories like salaries, events, or fundraising).
- There is no mention of a **budget amendment process** if circumstances change after February approval.
- The role of the **Finance Committee** in budget preparation or oversight is implied but not explicitly defined.
- The rules do not address **public disclosure** of the budget, though the Treasurer’s financial reporting duties (Article III, Section 7, C) may result in public filings as required by law.
### Summary:
- **Preparation**: The **State Chairperson** prepares the **annual budget** and submits it to the **Executive Committee** in **January** each year (Article V, Section 4, A).
- **Approval**: The **Executive Committee** reviews and approves the final budget by the **last day of February** (Article V, Section 4, A).
- **Oversight**: The **Treasurer** ensures financial records and legal compliance, supporting budget implementation (Article III, Section 7). The **Finance Committee** may provide advisory support (Article VII, Section 1, B).
- **Restrictions**: No officer compensation is allowed, but expense reimbursements are permitted, impacting budget allocations (Article IV, Section 11).
- **Resources**: The budget governs party resource allocation, particularly for endorsed candidates, per campaign finance laws (Article VI, Section 18).