Etheridge: Bush budget shorts NC families


Raleigh -— U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington), a member of the House Budget Committee, today reacted to President Bush’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2009.

The $3.1 trillion request would freeze or reduce funding for many domestic initiatives and lead to a deficit of more than $400 billion for the next two years.

“Between the increased debt and cuts to initiatives that invest in our future, there is very little to like about the President’s budget proposal,” said Etheridge. “The budget proposal is yet another example of misplaced priorities. As our economy falters, the budget would eliminate funding for initiatives that would invest in our future. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I plan to work to restore the proposed cuts to initiatives like education that will pay great dividends in the future.”

The budget eliminates funding for 47 education initiatives. Under the proposal, in 2009 the government will spend more than four times as much on the interest on the national debt than it does on education. The budget proposal predicts a total of $260 billion in debt payments in 2009 and only proposes spending $60 billion on education.

The budget proposal would also cut funding for initiatives that are increasingly in demand in a slowing economy. Grants for rural health care would be cut by 87 percent. The budget would also eliminate funding for the Community Services Block Grant initiative that helps community action groups to assist the poor with activities related to employment, nutrition, education, health care and emergency services. The budget also eliminates funding for Community Oriented Policing Services grants, which have put additional police officers on North Carolina’s streets.

What’s at stake for North Carolina under the President’s proposed budget cuts:

· 128 less police officers funded through Byrne Justice Assistance Grants

· 193 less fire departments receiving grants for equipment, vehicles and training

· 41 less communities receiving Community Development Block Grant funds for economic development and job creating and to help citizens in need.

· 12,922 less children with qualified teachers

· $35.3 million less for career and vocational education