The White House released an outline of President Trump's proposed budget, and critics say it ain't pretty.
Deep cuts to Medicaid, the Environmental Protection Agency, National Endowment for the Arts, Pell grants, food stamps, housing and veterans programs, among other things, constitute the proposal's more notable components, as is, apparently, magical math.
While it needs congressional approval that it probably won't get, the budget's sheer awfulness alarmed people who care about things like clean air and a reasonable degree of nourishment for children and the elderly.
“President Trump’s budget is an immediate threat to my neighbors, families and small business owners,” said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, in a media statement Tuesday. “If we were discussing the budget around the kitchen table, you would be aghast at its fundamental policy choices. Tampa Bay working families are particularly in the crosshairs as benefits flow to millionaires, handouts go to corporations and American progress takes a backseat. It’s time to say loud and clear: hands off families working to get ahead."
In her statement, Castor goes on at length to enumerate the many things that are wrong with the budget — the slashing of school lunch programs, meals on wheels, National Institutes of Health and transportation grant budgets. The list goes on.
Her counterpart across the bay, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) offered a similarly dismayed sentiment over the proposal, but said in a statement he is optimistic that Congress can come together and work out a budget that's not so atrocious.
"A budget is a reflection of our principles and this proposal illustrates a complete lack of values. It decimates vital programs – from environmental protections to public education to medical research. It cuts taxes for the very wealthy while leaving the poor, sick, and disabled out in the cold. It doubles down on cruel cuts to Medicaid – despite promising not to touch it. In Pinellas County where 40% of our children depend on Medicaid and CHIP for their care, what could be more heartless? This budget is fiscally irresponsible and morally repugnant," he said in a written statement.
"But while the Administration suggests, it is the Congress that ultimately decides funding priorities. We now have the opportunity to work together – like we did last month to keep the government open – to enact a budget more reflective of who we are as a people, one that strengthens, rather than divides, our nation. And one that doesn't leave behind the 'least among us.'"
The progressive group Patriotic Millionaires had just one word for the proposal:
"Obscene."
This article appears in May 18-25, 2017.