Federal budget cuts may target Native Hawaiian programs
I noted earlier the
Republican "Operation Offset" proposal which includes the elimination of Native
Hawaiian funding (about $40 million) as one of its items to cut the federal
budget. At the time it seemed unlikely to happen anytime soon, but an
article
in Monday's Washington
Post (hat tip to Doug) talks about how the faction of
fiscal conservatives known as the Republican Study Committee that authored the
proposal is in the ascendency in the House power structure after Tom Delay's
indictment and relinquishment of his leadership position, and that "Beginning
this week, the House GOP lawmakers will take steps to cut as much as $50 billion
from the fiscal 2006 budget for health care for the poor, food stamps and farm
supports, as well as considering across-the-board cuts in other programs." If
"Operation Offset" is a blueprint for these cuts, look for Hawaiian programs to
be among the "other programs" on the chopping block in upcoming budget
discussions in the House. And as I said originally, I don't think the Akaka bill
will do squat to protect these programs.
Posted: Thu - October 20, 2005 at 11:29 AM