This year’s budget proposal, if enacted by Congress, would result in a budget deficit of $423 billion, the largest in our nation’s history, and this amount would increase dramatically once the tax cuts take effect in 2011.

“Once again, the President claims he can have it both ways by making permanent tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while reducing the deficit in half by 2009. However, the numbers tell a different story,” said Langevin. “Every American family knows that you cannot continue to spend more money than you earn, and the President must acknowledge this before it is too late.”

In order to partially pay for the irresponsible tax policies, the President attempts to cut spending in several areas, notably health care and education. Medicare would be reduced by $36 billion over five years by reducing payments to health care providers, who would be less willing to accept Medicare patients. The budget would also zero out the TRIO programs—Gear Up, Talent Search and Upward Bound—which encourage economically disadvantaged Rhode Island students to seek higher education. Eliminating TRIO funds would affect programming at the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Rhode Island Childrens’ Crusade.

“Just last week at Chariho Regional High School, I released the results of a survey to determine the level of school emergency preparedness in Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District," said Langevin. "Most respondents indicated they had not properly rehearsed their emergency plans, and nearly a quarter of the schools and districts did not even know whom to ask for help. The Department of Education Safe and Drug-free Schools and Communities program provides grants to help schools develop and implement emergency plans. However, President Bush proposes eliminating this program, which has helped so many schools across our country.”

In addition to the programs mentioned above, the budget includes countless examples of misguided priorities, including cuts to small business programs, reductions in community development block grants, cuts to weatherization assistance funding for low-income households, and increased TRICARE fees for military retirees.

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