Reports out of Washington indicate the President is readying a budget that could bring deep cuts to a variety of programs, including those of importance to local communities. As a example, the Community Development Block Grant program could see a 25% reduction under the 2012 budget to be proposed by the President.
Members are urged to contact the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at 202-456-1097 and leave a message for the President about how CDBG has worked to bring jobs, economic development and improve your community. Let them know that any cuts to the program would be devastating at maintaining a high quality of life and creating the kinds of places that people want to work, live and play in.
As we all know, its not just the state that is facing a budget deficit. The federal government is also deep in debt and although the folks in Washington have the ability to print money, the new leadership in Congress has pledged to address the deficit by rolling back spending levels to 2008.
The President Obama administration has also made a commitment to address the deficit, and with reports from two deficit commissions both he and the Congress with have plenty of recommendations to work from.
Arnold Weinfeld covers federal issues for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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