WALSH OPPOSES PROPOSED CDBG CUTS

(Washington D.C.)- Congressman Jim Walsh today announced his participation in a bipartisan effort to remove proposed cuts to the Community Block Grant (CDBG) program in the administration's proposed FY 2007 Federal budget. Walsh joined 176 Republican and Democratic colleagues in a letter sent to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee to argue against the proposed reductions.

Walsh and colleagues strongly oppose the President's proposal to cut the CDBG Fund in the Department of Housing and Urban Development budget by a net $1.502 billion - a 36% reduction - and within that function to cut CDBG formula funding by $736 million - a 20% cut.

In announcing his opposition, Walsh stated:

"CDBG builds stronger, safer, and more attractive urban and inner suburban neighborhoods, in addition to supporting area job creation efforts, stimulating the local economy, and sustaining community social service and childhood health programming.

"The Community Development Block Grant program was proposed and founded by Republican Mayors and a Republican President in 1974. Proudly, my father was first Mayor of Syracuse when the proposal was initiated and later a member of the 93rd Congress that authorized and approved this landmark federal revenue sharing program for America's cities and urban areas.

"As the former chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee with responsibility for HUD funding, I am proud of the six annual spending bills I authored which advanced the CDBG program. I intend to do everything I can today to ensure that the program remains the centerpiece of the Federal government's efforts to help states and localities meet the needs of its urban cores and to maintain the program's status within the Department of Housing and Urban Development."

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