Under President Obama’s proposed budget, the SEC is expected to receive a 13% increase in funding next year, which would bring its 2010 budget to about $1.02 billion. After several years of relatively little increase in its budget, the boost would allow the SEC to increase its resources including staff and technology to “pursue a risk-based, efficient regulatory structure that will better detect fraud and strengthen markets,” the Obama Administration stated. The Wall Street Journal reports that in 2008, the SEC spent about $315 million, roughly one-third of its budget, on enforcement.
The Wall Street Journal also points out that the 13% increase for 2010 would be in addition to a $37 million increase House Democrats are now seeking to the SEC’s budget for the 2009 fiscal year, which would bring the total 2009 budget to $943 million.
