Changes to agriculture
President Barack Obama revealed his budget proposals yesterday. The 2010 budget increases funding for the Agriculture Department to $26 billion. However, it also decreases funding for some programs that have been around for a long time.
No more farm subsidies for some
Over the three years that begin in September, Obama proposes phasing out direct payments to some farmers. This will only affect farmers who bring in more than $500,000 per year in sales revenue.
He will also decrease funding for the Market Access Program. The plan would eliminate funding to promote overseas brands.
Expensive census
Obama hasn’t appointed a Department of Commerce Secretary yet, but he has drawn up plans for how much he wants to spend on commerce. This department’s funding would make a big jump from $9.3 billion to $13.8 billion.
Most of the additional spending would go toward the 2010 Census. Obama wants to ensure the Census is completed “effectively, efficiently and on time.”
Investing in education
The 2010 budget calls for $46.7 billion for education. That’s $500 million more than the education budget for 2009. The budget includes $2.5 billion to help low-income students go to college.
Focus on energy
In the Energy Department, the budget allows for $26.3 billion in spending. That’s in addition to the $11 billion for energy in the stimulus package.
Obama says his plan “supports and encourages the early commercial development of innovative, clean energy technologies through loan guarantees.”
Beefing up security
Obama plans to invest more money in Homeland Security than was spent last year. The total comes to $42.7 billion, compared to$40.1 billion in 2009.
His plan includes adding more “Visual Intermodal Protection Response” teams, changing the system for vetting travelers and workers, expanding the electronic employment eligibility verification system and extra funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement programs.
And justice for all
The budget proposes funding to hire more prosecutors and agents to combat financial fraud and more police officers. It dedicates funds to making the border more secure and proposes $145 million to strengthen civil rights enforcement.
I hope that these increases are accompanied by some generous cuts to other spending, because at this rate we’re going to wind up with a bigger deficit. Obama has said he’s going to slash it, and I hope so, because we’ll be paying for it for decades.