2009 Federal Budget

CONGRESS HAS LIMITED AGENDA
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Sarah Lueck at sarah.lueck@wsj.com, Anna Wilde Mathews and Tom Herman]
The Democratic-controlled Congress isn't going to pass President Bush's budget this year, but it will probably take action in pressing areas such as Medicare spending, certain popular tax breaks and economic stimulus. The last effective budget of a two-term president is rarely a document that carries much political weight. Mr. Bush's low approval ratings and the fast-moving presidential primaries almost ensure that the White House won't gain much traction.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120213798729240767.html?mod=todays_us_page_one
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* Paper Chased: Budget To Print Budget Is Cut
To save money and paper, the White House has scaled back the number of printed paper copies of Mr. Bush's 2009 budget, which includes four hefty volumes and runs more than 2,000 pages. In years past, the White House's Office of Management and Budget distributed about 3,000 copies of the budget free to media outlets, congressional offices and elsewhere in the capital. This year, those folks must buy a printed copy or access one free online. The change is expected to drive down demand for hard copies of the budget, sparing an estimated 20 tons of paper, or 480 trees, and saving taxpayers about $1 million over five years, according to the OMB. The Government Printing Office still ran off 29,491 copies of the fiscal 2009 budget, down from 33,667 copies last year, according to GPO spokesman Gary Somerset. Members of the public pay $213 a copy. Members of Congress and federal officials pay $67.50.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120216774956842537.html?mod=todays_us_page_one

CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING FACES BUDGET CUTS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
President Bush's new budget proposal is out which means, of course, proposed budget cuts for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In the new fiscal-year-2009 budget, the CPB appropriation for 2009 would be cut from $400 million to $200 million, and to $180 million in 2010, and no advance appropriation would be made for 2011. House Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) responded: "When is comes to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the President has tried again and again to slash funds for this program. While much of daytime TV has shows that are inappropriate for young children, public TV remains an electronic oasis of child-friendly educational fare. In this light, the Administration’s proposal to slash funding is short-sighted and I fully expect Congress to reject it. We owe America’s children and their parents this free, over-the-air resource."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6528468.html?rssid=193

BUSH ADMINISTRATION BUDGET INCLUDES $20M TO FCC FOR DTV EDUCATION
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Bush Administration is asking for $20 million dollars for the Federal Communications Commission to educate the American public about the pending transition to digital-only television broadcasting. The Commission said it will use the money for "producing and distributing consumer-oriented educational materials; using news media to spread information through media tours and public-service announcements; attending and presenting at events and conferences representing a wide array of consumers; leveraging the Internet to disseminate information; coordinating with state, local, and tribal entities; and distribution of direct mailings to targeted groups." The FCC's Inspector General's Office also asked for $1.9 million, part of which will be used to "expand its audits of the commission’s activities and functions."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6528578.html
* FCC press release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-279987A1.doc
* FCC Budget of $338,900,000 Proposed for Fiscal Year 2009
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-279991A1.pdf

CHAIRMAN DINGELL'S RESPONSE TO 2009 BUDGET PROPOSAL
[SOURCE: US Senate Commerce Committee]
President Bush’s FY09 Budget proposes: 1) Eliminating the Public Telecommunications Facilities, Planning and Construction grants in 2009 and 2) Eliminating the Anti-Deficiency Act exemption for certain universal service programs. For the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the budget proposes: A) $200 million rescission from the $400 million core appropriation already provided by Congress for FY 2009; B) $220 million rescission from the $420 million core appropriation already provided by Congress for FY 2010; and C) Eliminating Congress’ advance appropriation for FY 2011. For the US Department of Commerce, the budget proposes: x) A $1.3 billion overall increase to the Commerce Department’s budget; y) A $141 million decrease in funds for the Economic Development Administration, which helps to increase economic growth through capacity-building, planning, infrastructure investments, research grants, and strategic initiatives; and z) A $100 million cut in funds for the National Institute of Standards and Technologies, whose programs help to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness. In response, House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) said, "The President’s budget proposal regarding the communications sector offers much of what we have seen in prior years, such as the ill-advised attack on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the proposed termination of the Telecommunications Development Fund. In the past, Congress has wisely blocked these attempts, and I suspect Congress will do so again. While the President’s proposed budget would increase the Federal Communications Commission’s budget for consumer outreach about the digital television transition, I am concerned about the size of the increase. The President has proposed an additional $20 million dollars for educating consumers about digital television. When added to the original $5 million that was allotted by the Republican Congress that enacted this program, this is far too little to educate a nation of 300 million people."
* Dingell Responds to Telecommunications Elements of Bush Budget
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr194.shtml
* Dingell Response to Bush Commerce Budget
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr195.shtml