WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Bush's 2009
budget released today eliminates key funding for low-wage American families
and communities while the economy struggles and job losses are on the rise,
said National Community Action Foundation Executive Director David Bradley.
"The President seeks economic stimulus and has called his budget
request a 'freeze' on domestic discretionary programs. However, to keep the
overall spending level constant, the President recommends destroying dozens
of programs that open opportunities for America's most economically
vulnerable families and communities," Bradley said.
Bush's budget proposes complete elimination of the Community Services
Block Grant (CSBG), which provides low-income community resources through
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in 99 percent of all U.S. counties. CSBG
funds allow each CAA to address local poverty issues by mobilizing
resources and people to provide uniquely local solutions.
"Once again Congress is expected to reject the President's planned
elimination of CSBG. Congressional leadership of both parties has found
ways to increase Community Action programs because they are able to see the
differences they have made in their communities," Bradley said. "While I
recognize Bush is a lame-duck president, I fear his budget proposal may be
a place to start if a new Republican president is inaugurated in 2009."
Bush's budget request also eliminates the Weatherization Assistance
Program, which invests in state-of-the-art energy upgrades for homes of
low-wage workers, retirees and the disabled. Homes that have been
weatherized through this program in the past 15 years will save an average
of $404 this year as compared to their projected bills without the
efficiency investments.
This estimated saving from Weatherization is equal to or higher than
most bill-payment benefits from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Program, which Bush also cuts in his budget plan.
"In the face of rising energy costs, it is absurd that the President
would propose to reduce help for the poorest energy consumers and to do
less to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse emissions of low-income
households," Bradley said.
"The proposal is symptomatic of the Administration's approach to
federal spending, which appears to be that those most vulnerable to the
current economic downturn contribute the most and expect fewer educational
and health resources for their children and aging parents even as the
immediate support they can hope for is taken away," he said.
SOURCE National Community Action Foundation
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Related links:
http://www.ncaf.org
CONTACT:
Laura Monchuk of the National Community
Action Foundation, +1-202-741-9410, ncaf.news@ncaf.org
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