Federal budget to be lean

As President Obama readies release of his 2013 fiscal year budget, word around the White House is that it will be very lean.

Meetings with various interest groups allied with the President have led to reports that, given spending cap agreements, there will be many unhappy people when the budget is released next month.

Recall that the final 2012 budget contained numerous cuts in programs of importance to local governments and their residents.  Given election year politics, and a continuing struggle between all interested parties to reach agreement on a long term strategy to address the deficit, it is quite likely that those same programs will see additional cuts.

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.