By Larry Jones
September 29, 2008

As U.S. Mayor went to press, the Senate was expected to approve a continuing resolution that will fund most federal agencies and programs at their fiscal year 2008 level through March 6, 2009. Due to disagreement between Democratic leaders in Congress and the White House over funding levels for many programs, none of the 12 regular appropriations bills that fund federal agencies and programs have been approved. With the new fiscal year set to begin on October 1, Congress has decided to avoid a budget battle with the White House and instead wait until next year to negotiate with a new President 2009 spending bills that will provide funding through September 30 of next year.

The House approved its version of the measure on September 24. Although most programs were funded at current levels, some received significant increases. Key programs of interest to mayors are highlighted below.

The bill includes an additional $2.9 billion to assist the U.S. Census Bureau in ramping up its operation in preparation for the 2110 Census. The additional funds will be used to begin printing the census forms that will be mailed out to over 134 million households, purchase equipment and supplies, conduct an awareness campaign to explain the importance of responding to the census, and open up local offices and hire staff in communities across the nation. These are just a few of the things that must be done as the Census Bureau prepares to start counting every person in the nation on April 1, 2010.

An additional $2.5 billion over the amount available in 2008 was included for the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program. These funds will be used to help families pay for rising energy costs. An additional two million households will be assisted and the average grant will be raised from $355 to $550, an increase of $195.

The measure includes an additional $1 billion to help provide proper nutrition to mothers and their infant children. This increase recognizes that more families are struggling with the economic downturn and rising food prices.

To improve the efficiency of low-income housing, an increase of $250 million over last year’s level was included. This amount will weatherize 100,000 homes and save each household about $400 in energy costs this coming year.

An additional $2.5 billion was added for Pell Grants to prevent cuts in student aid midway through the school year.

To prevent nearly 70,000 low-income women, infants, children, and elderly citizens from losing access to food, the measure provides an increase of $23.5 million.