The new federal budget represents a broad increase in funding for urban programs. New York in particular is to benefit greatly from the new spending plan.
"The increases are virtually across-the-board and, in some cases, represent a quantum leap forward, based on an analysis by Weiner's office of the new budget and New York's historical share of the budget pie:
* Under Obama's new spending plan, grant money to help low-income, working families afford child care will effectively double, to $168 million.
* Funds for early childhood education are expected to jump by 14%.
* Families that depend on food stamps will see a 51% increase in their monthly checks.
* Community development block grants will grow by 25%, while the feds' main program for lending to small businesses in inner city neighborhoods is expected to double.
The increases represent not just a shift from Republican to Democratic priorities, experts say, but the ascension of the first urban-minded President since Democrat Jimmy Carter strode into the Oval Office in 1977."
FULL STORY: Obama budget impact: It's like Christmas in February for New York
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