(a) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall advise the Governor on matters concerning local government including state laws relating to local government, the impact of federal actions or proposed federal actions on local government, the financial needs and resources of local government and the allocation of program and financial responsibility between local government and the state.

(b) The secretary shall advise the Governor regarding potential federal actions affecting state government and the citizens of the state and shall advise the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and relating to the subject area of each federal policy initiative, including the allocation of resources in the federal budget, federal public assistance policy, federal economic policy and the distribution of federal assistance and facilities among regions and states.

(c) The secretary may provide planning and management assistance to local governments utilizing such state and federal funds as may be appropriated for such purpose.

(d) The secretary shall encourage each department of state government which deals with local governments to provide technical assistance in their areas of specialization. The secretary shall advise local officials on programs of state and federal assistance for which local governments are eligible and provide assistance, when requested, in applying for such assistance.

(e) The secretary shall require that notice be given to him of all applications for federal financial assistance or for any gift, contribution, income from trust funds, or other aid from any private source submitted by the state, or any agency thereof, authorities and development agencies. The secretary may require that notice be given him of all applications for federal financial assistance submitted by municipalities or any agency thereof. The secretary may require that any notice of application for federal financial assistance be accompanied by an urban impact statement, on a form furnished by said secretary, indicating that the project or program for which such application is being made has been reviewed in accordance with the goals set forth in § 4-66b. Ongoing fund-raising from any private source by an institution of higher education shall not constitute an application under the terms of this section.

(f) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management is authorized to do all things necessary to apply for and accept federal funds allotted or available to the state under any federal act or program that could support activities the secretary is authorized to undertake. He shall administer such funds in accordance with state and federal law. The secretary, in consultation with the chief executive officer of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, or the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, when applicable, may apply for all federal funds available to the state for defense conversion projects and other projects consistent with a defense conversion strategy.