It’s the first volley of many over the proposed Trump Administration’s budget targets for 2018 and beyond. Deep cuts are initially targeting USDA and many farm support systems. Wisconsin Congressman, Ron Kind, was one of the first to respond to what’s likely going to be a long budget battle.
From Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind:
The Trump Administration released their proposed budget for 2018. The budget included drastic cuts to many of the programs that partner with local communities to provide services for hard-working Wisconsinites.
“Instead of supporting programs that partner with local communities to create jobs and grow our rural Wisconsin economy the Administration’s budget guts the programs they depend on. There is nothing fiscally responsible about making drastic cuts to programs like the Rural Economic Development and Community Development Block grant programs to pay for outdated military equipment that even our Generals have said they don’t need,” said Rep. Kind.
The budget cuts the US Department of Agriculture by 20%, including massive cuts to rural development program funding. The budget calls for the complete elimination of the following programs: Value-Added Marketing Grants, Rural Water and Wastewater Program, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, Rural Cooperative Development Grants, and Rural Housing Assistance. Communities across western and central Wisconsin have depended on USDA rural development programs to help repair roads, grow local small businesses, and expand broadband access.
