2009 was supposed to be the year that federal budgeting was finally done smoothly and efficiently.

It didn't happen.

Spending on discretionary items, or those under White House and congressional control, is expected to run about 4 percent higher than last year, well above the rate of inflation. And a big chunk of the budget was approved three months past due.

"For all the talk about the need to get spending under control, I don't see any of that," said Robert Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, a budget watchdog group.