Federal budget threatens Ohio communities and families
Posted June 13, 2017 in Press Releases
Funds that help low- and moderate-income families slated for elimination
President Donald Trump’s 2018 budget would cut grants in aid to states by $44 billion, a sum that would grow to $453 billion by 2027, according to a new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Federal grants make up more than one-third of Ohio’s total budget so the impact here will be especially harsh.
“Ohio’s two-year budget includes critical programs on the federal government’s chopping block,” said Wendy Patton, Senior Project Director for Policy Matters Ohio. “For example, the Trump budget eliminates the Community Services Block Grant, which pays for ‘Meals on Wheels’ for elderly, ill and disabled people in many places. Ohio will lose $27 million in federal funds from that program alone.”
Congressional Republicans are drafting a budget resolution to meet the president’s priorities. Trump’s proposal would eliminate many programs that assist schools, ensure clean air and water, and help repair infrastructure and rebuild neighborhoods. Health and human services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps), Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) face the largest cuts. CBPP is also releasing a paper on the SNAP program today.
Ohio would lose $70.6 million in federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Family (TANF) funds, according to CBPP. TANF helps low-income parents pay for childcare while they work and provides cash assistance to those in deep poverty, primarily children in kinship or foster care. Retraining and job placement programs for workers whose plants close lose 40 percent, or $34 million, under the president’s budget.
Trump’s budget completely abolishes other programs. Ohio permanently loses $57 million in annual Social Services Block Grant funds, which underwrite services that protect frail seniors from abuse. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program funds aftercare, enrichment programs and drug and violence prevention in Ohio schools. CBPP estimates it will lose $44.4 million in 2018. Schools permanently lose another $76.4 million in grant funding from the Supporting Effective Instruction program, which helps schools to reduce classroom size and underwrites training for teachers.
“The federal budget would cut programs that directly assist low- and moderate-income families with children, disabled persons, and seniors, as well as programs that improve Ohio’s communities,” Patton said. “Rather than help low-income people become self-sufficient through job training, child care, proper nutrition, and health care, this budget would simply drive people deeper into poverty.”
Download cbppfederalbudget2018pr.pdf