Budget calls for defense spending

The Bush Administration announced its proposed budget for this year on Monday, which called for the elimination of Amtrak subsidies, restructuring of housing programs and increased defense spending in Massachusetts.

Congress still must approve the budget, which follows the Bush Administration's efforts to increase funding for homeland security while cutting back on social programs.

Many Massachusetts Democrats disagreed with the Bush proposal and cited its negative consequences.

Rep. Mike Capuano (D-Mass) criticized the budget proposal for cuts in housing and education.

"In the 2006 budget, President Bush essentially seeks to dismantle a whole host of critical domestic programs in order to try and trim the deficit while doing nothing to roll back the tax cuts he supported for the wealthiest Americans," Capuano said. "Ultimately, those hurt the most by this budget are those most in need of assistance."

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) also weighed in on the budget proposal.

"This budget takes cops off the street, hurts veterans and punishes school children while saddling future generations with record budget deficits and mountains of debt," Kerry said.

Capuano also condemned Bush's plan to discontinue Amtrak subsidies. Under the budget proposal, Amtrak would have to forego essential federal funds. Last year the company relied on $1.2 billion from Congress.

"It provides no funding for Amtrak," Amtrak President and CEO David Gunn said. "It also isn't accompanied by any kind of plan for how Amtrak could continue operations. In a word, they have no plan for Amtrak other than bankruptcy."

If Amtrak were to go bankrupt, Bush has set aside $360 million for continued commuter and freight operations on the Northeast Corridor.

The budget also calls for a major restructuring of programs administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and several other federal development programs.

Kristina Foye, a spokeswoman for the HUD New England Regional office, explained that the proposed budget would consolidate 35 federal community and economic development programs, which are all intended to aid public housing and increase quality of life in designated cities and towns. Administered by the Department of Commerce, the program is designed to eliminate inefficiency.

Under the president's budget, Massachusetts would receive more than $236 million for the No Child Left Behind Act in 2006 and a $5.7 million increase this year, according to statements from the White House. Capuano expressed concern over the plan, calling it inadequate and underfunded.

"Once again, the president shortchanges education by refusing to fully fund 'No Child Left Behind,' making it harder for our educators to fulfill the requirements of the law," Capuano said.

The White House said the 2006 Budget would provide more than $273 million in special education funding for Massachusetts through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, an $11 million increase from 2005.

Massachusetts will also receive more than $74 million for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, an increase of $4 million from last year.

Capuano reflected the sentiments of both House Democrats and Republicans, saying, "Rest assured that many members on both sides of the aisle are fighting to reduce the negative impact of this budget."