5 things to know about Trump's budget proposal
President Donald Trump's proposed "America First" budget increases defense spending by $54 billion, includes more money for border security and additional dollars for private and public school choice. There are also cuts as the President attempts to avoid adding to the projected $488 billion deficit for fiscal year 2018.
President Trump has said his goal is to shrink the size of government and this budget proposal cuts both programs and staff at the federal Environmental Protection Agency and at the State Department.
But there are also other shifts in the way government could do business, and they could impact Delawareans.
1. If you have school-aged children or college students in your home, or you are a teacher or school administrator
The budget proposes $3.7 billion in cuts for teacher training grants, after-school and summer programs and programs that target low-income and first-generation students. Delaware uses some of this pot of money to pay some teacher salaries. There is also a reduction in money for college students who receive college work-study grants. The Federal Work Study program provides part-time jobs to both undergraduate and graduate students to help them pay college costs. Meanwhile, if you like the idea of school choice and charter schools, the budget includes an additional $168 million for charter schools and creates a new school choice program worth $250 million.
2. If you fly
The budget proposes privatizing air traffic control and increasing the TSA fees travelers pay. Right now you pay $5.60 one way for flights that originate at U.S. airports. The money supports the Transportation Security Administration. If you fly into tiny airports, federal subsidies that support commercial flights -- Essential Air Service -- could lessen or go away. Places like Hagerstown, Maryland, and Bar Harbor, Maine, are eligible communities.
3. If you live along the coast
The $73 million Sea Grant Program that supports coastal research at institutions like the University of Delaware is eliminated in the President's proposed budget, as is $250 million for coastal research programs to prepare coastal communities for sea level rise and worsening coastal storms. The Chesapeake Bay cleanup program got $73 million last year. The funding is eliminated in this budget. The Army Corps of Engineers' budget is poised for a $17 million cut but so far, there are no details on key projects like the Delaware River Shipping Channel deepening or beach renourishment.
4. If you watch public television, listen to public radio or enjoy the arts
The budget eliminates three programs: $148 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities and $445 million for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio.
5. If you volunteer or get help from volunteers like Americorps, Teach for America and Retired Senior Volunteers or Foster Grandparents
The budget eliminates The Corporation for National and Community Service, which supports many of the volunteer programs in the state including 361 local service sites, 1,374 Senior Corps and AmeriCorps positions. The state program received $4.6 million in federal grants this year, which was leveraged to add another $4.3 million. In addition, the program has provided $9.3 million in AmeriCorps scholarships since 1994.
Contact Molly Murray at (302) 463-3334 or mmurray@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @MollyMurraytnj.