February 4, 2008

Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter criticized President Bush’s 2009 budget for neglecting the priorities of the nation. President Bush unveiled his final budget proposal which leaves behind a $407 billion deficit, yet slashes important programs that would strengthen our economy overall and keep our nation safe and secure. Perlmutter is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Financial Services Committee.

“Under this President, our country continues to spend billions per week in Iraq , while we neglect funding for important priorities such as homeland security, investing in alternative energy solutions, and providing quality healthcare for our children,” said Perlmutter. “Today’s budget continues the same failed Bush fiscal and economic legacy: large deficits, a growing burden of debt, a weakened economy, and an expensive deficit-financed tax agenda. Our national budget should responsibly invest in our future by making critical investments to strengthen our economy and restore fiscal responsibility.

Following are some programs in the 7th Congressional District that will be affected by the President’s budget:

ENERGY

• The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) –Funding under the President’s budget will again be shortchanged from FY 2008. Last year NREL received $277,884 for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program, and this year the budget is $210,353.



“This is another case of misplaced priorities from the President. Investing in key renewable and alternative energy programs is good for national security, the climate and the economy. To stabilize our economy over the long haul, these are precisely the kinds of investments in critical infrastructure we need to make,” said Perlmutter.

HOMELAND SECURITY


• Under the President’s FY 2009 budget, FEMA preparedness grants to state and local governments will be cut. The State Homeland Security Grant Program is cut from $950 million to $200 million. The Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program is cut entirely from the President’s budget.



"Last year, more than half of Colorado ’s homeland security funding came from two federal programs that have been almost entirely eliminated in the President’s budget,” said Perlmutter. “This budget takes funding away from Colorado ’s police officer and firefighters in their mission to protect our communities. The President’s budget is unacceptable in the post 9-11 era where terrorism is a real threat to our nation. I am astonished he would drastically slash the homeland security budget and simultaneously claim that we are adequately fighting the War on Terror.”



• The TSA still does not have the resources to meet demand of air travelers. In this budget, aviation security screening operations is being cut from $3.768 billion to $3.192 billion.



“The President’s cut of over half a billion to aviation security screening is dangerous for our nation’s travelers,” said Perlmutter. “With a growing number of passengers and a growing threat of improvised explosive devices (IED’s), the TSA needs the resources to stay ahead of the curve. Moreover, less equipment means longer wait times and a more frustrating travel experience for airline passengers.”


NATIONAL GUARD

• The President’s FY 2009 budget includes $980 million for National Guard equipment. Last week, the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves issued a report to Congress stating the Guard has a $48 billion shortfall on equipment. Compared to that, funding of $980 million does not begin to meet the needs of our National Guard.



“Currently, our National Guard is not adequately prepared to handle domestic emergencies like natural disasters or a terrorist attack. They simply do not have enough equipment because they have been overused in . A recent report indicates that the Guard needs $48 billion in equipment to catch up, and President requests less than $1 billion. This is national security and homeland security priority that President Bush continues to ignore.”


VETERANS’ CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (Which includes the new VA Hospital at Fitzsimons)

• In the President’s FY2009 budget proposal, the Construction of major projects appropriations fund supports construction projects costing over $10 million. The VA is constructing two brand new hospitals one in Orlando, FL and one in Aurora, CO located within the 7th Congressional District. There’s an overall increase in the appropriations fund for these construction projects. In 2008, the estimated budget is 1.224 million and for FY 2009, the budget for these projects is estimated at 1.277 million.


HOUSING

• President Bush’s FY 2009 budget again cuts federal housing programs, despite widespread recognition that the economy is facing a housing crisis. Bush’s budget cuts to public housing and rental assistance programs would eliminate critical assistance for those who have been disproportionately impacted by the subprime housing crisis—lower income families, the elderly, and minorities—compounding the deep funding cuts of the previous six years. Under the President’s budget proposal, the public housing capital fund would be cut by $415 million from 2008, depriving Colorado of $2.4 million in necessary funding to keep its public housing stock a viable option for families that have lost their homes to foreclosure. At the same time, President Bush has proposed a $740 million cut nationwide in the successful HUD Section 8 voucher program; as a result, 1,300 families could lose their homes in Colorado . These programs will be critical in alleviating the hardships caused by the housing crisis, but the Bush administration again appears blithely ignorant to the reality facing American families. [President Bush’s Budget, FY2009; Federal Funds Information for States Database; National League of Cities; Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.]