Turner Comments on President's FY2007 Budget Proposal

Congressman Michael R. Turner (R-Centerville) issued the following statement on the budget proposal released earlier today by President Bush:

"The President proposed the Strengthening America's Communities Initiative (SACI) last year. I was one of a bipartisan chorus of voices in Congress that urged leaving Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and maintaining its funding. I am concerned about the proposed reduction in funding and the president's plan to re-propose the SACI. The Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census, which I Chair, conducted a series of hearings examining how CDBG could be modified and improved, including whether SACI was feasible. The resulting report makes it clear that the program belongs under HUD's management. Most importantly, we found that CDBG is essential to our nation's communities and neighborhoods. Reducing funding to these programs hurts people trying to recapture their neighborhoods and revitalize their communities. The report also provides recommendations how to improve CDBG and ensures its continued viability. I look forward to working with the administration on implementing these bipartisan recommendations."

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/2.6.06.shtml

Source