The creation of the advisory board to provide advice on project decisions would help to address the criticism that federal infrastructure funds are not spent with local needs in mind. The only tricky issue becomes how the programs should be funded. Federal politicians - who will continue to have the ultimate decision-making authority - are clearly attracted to this funding vehicle because they can dump into them "surprise" surpluses that appear at year-end. But, there is a convincing body of evidence piling up, not of least is emerging from the Office of the Auditor General, that that practice is not good fiscal management.