Congresswoman Laura Richardson Outlines Her Fiscal Year 2012 Priorities to the House Budget Committee

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson outlined the items that she sees as some of the most vital national funding priorities for 2012 before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget.

"I am here to speak for the people I represent, the hard-working and hard-pressed men, women, children, and businesses of the 37th Congressional District of California," Congresswoman Richardson said during the Budget Committee hearing. "Across the country, in every state and local government, we observe a familiar pattern: rising unemployment and job loss leads to increased foreclosure rates, which in turn result in decreased revenues for state and local governments, who resort to cutting essential social and public services to balance their budgets which exacerbates the economic hardships on our hard-pressed families," said Congresswoman Richardson.

In her testimony to the Budget Committee, Congresswoman Richardson gave examples of the needs in her own district, as well as those that exist nationally, in the current economy. Her priorities included comprehensive jobs legislation, strengthening Homeland Security's ability to respond to and prevent disasters, education and updating and modernizing the nation's infrastructure.

"While a budget is a record of expenditures, outlays, and revenue receipts, it is much more than that," Congresswoman Richardson added. "It is an expression of our most cherished values, a reflection our character, and the fulfillment of the social contract among generations, tying the present to the past and future. In a budget we commit ourselves to the actions needed to keep faith with our obligation to our forefathers and to generations unborn to do all we can to make this a more perfect union. It is in that spirit that I have suggested the priorities outlined."

Priority #1: Transportation & Infrastructure

* When it comes to creating jobs, there is no more effective means than investing in infrastructure.

Priority #2: Jobs For Americans

* Although we have been encouraged by signs that the economy is recovering, we can't make reckless cuts at the expense of our ongoing recovery.

Priority #3: Cost Recovery Act

* The Federal government has an obligation to the American people to be stewards of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars by operating in an efficient manner.
* Rates that are both equitable and cost-effective. By setting appropriate user fee rates, agencies can contribute to the shared fiscal responsibility that our current economic situation demands without overburdening the public or inhibiting public engagement.

Priority #4: Older Americans

* Although the President has requested level funding for this program in FY 2012,it makes no progress in restoring the 45 percent cut made in FY2011 from FY 2010 enacted levels.

Priority #5: Housing

* I strongly oppose the President's decision to continue funding the Community Development Block Grant at FY 2012 levels -- an 11.6% reduction from FY 2011 enacted levels.

Priority #6: Education

* Nothing is more crucial to our nation's long-term future than an educated citizenry. That is why I am pleased that the President's budget requests $69.8 billion in funding for the Department of Education for FY 2013, a 2.5% increase over FY 2012 enacted levels.

Priority #7: Homeland Security

* As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications Subcommittee I am concerned about my district as it is home to many high-value terrorist targets, such as the Port of Long Beach.
* I am therefore deeply troubled by the proposed cut of $681 million below the Fiscal Year 2012 level

Priority #8: Help For Small Business

* As a member who spent 14 years working in the business world before coming to Congress, I understand that small business is the backbone of our economy. The 26.8 million small businesses in the United States represent more than 99.7 percent of all employers, employ just over half of all private sector employees, and generated 64 percent of the net new jobs created since 1995.

Priority #9: Army Corps of Engineers

* I note that it is disappointing that the President's budget does not provide funding for the Continuing Authority Project (CAP), administered by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Priority #10: Native Americans

* Perhaps nowhere is the need more urgent than in Indian Country, which is grappling with an average unemployment rate of 22 percent, which is higher than any state. Addressing the disparities in health care, education, housing, and crime in Indian Country also remains a challenge.

Priority #11: International Affairs

* The diplomatic role of the United States in the international system cannot be understated. By supporting economic development, human rights, and democracy throughout the world, the International Affairs Budget is a bargain and one of the best investments we can make.

Priority #12: High Speed Rail

* As the founding co-chair of the California High-Speed Rail Caucus, I applaud the President for requesting $2.5 billion in FY13 and an additional $4 billion within the upfront $50 billion investment to invest in the construction of a national high-speed rail network.

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