By Mike Matejka
As you listen to this, I’ll be in Washington, D.C., part of the annual Economic Development Council’s “One Voice” trip to our nation’s capitol. Annually, local business, education, government and labor representative meet with our legislators and agencies, to push access to federal funds for local initiatives.
In the past, this has been successful. Normal’s multi-modal center and increased mental health services have benefited from the One Voice effort.
But I’m very curious to see what happens this year. As we meet with federal agencies, many still will not have new appointees from the Trump Administration. And then looking at Trump’s proposed federal budget, I wonder how that will impact our community and if there will be any funds left for local needs.
President Trump’s budget is a proposal, not the final product. But there are some very effective programs on the chopping block. For instance, meals on wheels, which bring nutritious food to home-bound seniors, is zeroed out. I’ll quote Trump’s Office of Management & Budget Director Mick Mulvaney on this one, as he said the block grants that make Meals on Wheels possible are “not showing any results.” I’m sure the home-bound senior whose life is sustained by that daily hot meal would beg to differ.
Amtrak trains through town have seen increased ridership and are a great alternative to reduce highway congestion. Amtrak grants are up for restructuring or elimination. Low income people who depend on home heating assistance would see that eliminated, as are community development block grants, which both Bloomington and Normal have used to improve low-income housing. Our local farmers would feel it too, with the Department of Agriculture the third highest in cuts, right behind the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department.
There are some good things in the Trump budget, including increased funding for veterans. But overall, many programs will suffer.
Going on the EDC One Voice trip is always educational and interesting. Many agencies we will visit will be unsure of their own budgetary future, or possibly their jobs. Hopefully our united One Voice will echo above the din and some of those federal dollars we all pay can come back to our community. Even if the country is divided, we’ll see if we can maintain our unified voice in McLean County.
Mike Matejka is the Governmental Affairs director for the Great Plains Laborers District Council, covering 11,000 union Laborers in northern Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. He lives in Normal. He served on the Bloomington City Council for 18 years, is a past president of the McLean County Historical Society and Vice-President of the Illinois Labor History Society.
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