The Federal Budget: ; 'You Need a Scorecard'; W.Va. To Lose Big to War, Tax Cuts

Summary

---

Halfway through the federal budget process, West Virginia stands to lose hundreds of millions in the next five years for rural health programs, water and sewer projects, environmental programs, homeland security and Medicaid among others. At the same time, Congress is granting $106 billion in tax cuts, mostly to upper-income taxpayers.

The federal budget process began in February and ends in October. From home, it can be hard to understand what's going on or to know how to influence the process. This is one of a series of occasional articles aimed at helping West Virginians understand the federal process.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

The Federal Budget: ; 'You Need a Scorecard'; W.Va. To Lose Big to War, Tax Cuts

katelong@wvgazette.com

IN early March, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito testified before the House Budget Committee. She asked them not to cut Medicaid, veterans' health funding and several other programs.

Then she sent out a press release: "Capito Voices Concerns with the President's Budget."

A month earlier, President Bush had fired the opening shot in the 2006 federal budget marathon. He asked Congress to slice tens of billions from hundreds of programs, including water projects, police and community development funds.

As word spread, alarmed West Virginians swarmed through Congressional offices, in person, on the phone and via e-mai...

See the full content of this document

---