Trump's Budget Would Cut Funding for HUD, Transportation, EPA, More

As reported by Damian Paletta, Erica Werner, and Jeff Stein, the Trump administration today revealed a $4.7 trillion budget plan "that stands as a sharp challenge to Congress and the Democrats trying to unseat him."

The budget calls for $8.6 billion for wall funding and a significant increase in defense spending.

Those priorities stand in contrast to proposed cuts to programs and projects related to the field of planning.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development put out a press release to explain its portion of the proposed budget, saying the Trump administration is proposing "a $44.1 billion spending plan that expands resources to prevent/end homelessness; invests record funding to reduce lead and other home health and safety hazards; and preserves rental assistance to HUD-assisted households."

The press release also notes that the budget would eliminate "ineffective programs," namely the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP).

Justin Sink and Erik Wasson also provide insight into the Trump's budget proposal's big move against discretionary spending. "The proposal calls for reducing regular nondefense discretionary spending from $597 billion to $543 billion, a $54 billion, or 9% cut in 2020. When disaster-relief funding is factored in, the cut amounts to $28 billion, or 4.6%." Spending for the Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would face significant reductions in funding as a result. Another article by Jeff Davis (paywall) provides details on the $4.8 billion in funding the budget would cut from Department of Transportation appropriations.

Among the cuts to EPA programs is a third attempt by the Trump administration to cut funding for the Great Lakes Initiative. "It is the third year in a row that Trump has proposed either eliminating or cutting most of the program, which is used on projects to restore wetlands and improve water quality in and around the Great Lakes," according to an article by Todd Spangler. In total, the bduget would cut EPA funding by 31 percent, according to another article by Miranda Green.

Finally, an article by Tara Holshen details the effects the Trump budget would have on the social safety net—with cuts aimed at Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, and more.