2012 federal budget targeting begins

House Republicans have set targets for the 2012 budget and as predicted in several former posts, the floor keeps dropping. 

The targets set additional reductions of $47 billion that will impact every non-security area of federal operations and programs. As examples, the 2012 spending limit for the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee is $7.7 billion less than the fiscal year 2011 enacted level. (CDBG, HOME, transportation, and public housing programs all fall within this subcommittee’s jurisdiction), and the limit for the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee is $3 billion less than the fiscal year 2011 enacted level.  (Public safety programs, COPS, and Byrne JAG are funded out of this subcommittee). 

Cuts to these programs, coupled with cuts to others, would have a devastating impact on quality of life for communities in Michigan and across the country in the areas of public safety, economic development, education, and infrastructure, among others.   

Over the next several weeks and months, Congress will be under a lot of pressure to cut these programs, despite their track record of success.  While everyone acknowledges the need to cut the national debt, we cannot let it happen at the expense of our communities.   

We will be working with our partners in Washington, such as the National League of Cities to implement strategies to block cuts to these programs.  But our best weapon remains our members and their ability to “tell their stories” to their congressional representatives about how these and other federal programs have worked to improve quality of life for residents in their communities.  

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.