The current situation with governmental budgets is another major driving force. While far from unique to the United States, there is now an acute public sensitivity about the limitations of government financial resources. Massive surpluses of a few years ago at the state and federal level have disappeared, while there is a growing awareness that many of the long-term needs for infrastructure maintenance and development have been ignored for too long. As public demands for services and facilities continue to grow, and the treasuries at all levels of government are sorely tested, partnerships are often the most viable answer.