Alamosa, CO – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today released the following statement on President Trump’s federal budget blueprint, which would have devastating effects on Colorado’s rural communities.
“The President’s budget proposal would hurt Colorado’s rural communities,” Bennet said. “The plan does nothing to help our struggling farm economy. Instead, it cuts USDA staff, eliminates infrastructure and transportation initiatives, and handcuffs the budgets of agencies that manage our public lands and keep our air and water clean. This plan just further proves that the Administration is completely out of touch with the challenges across America.”
Among the proposed cuts that will affect Colorado’s rural communities, President Trump’s budget would:
- Reduce USDA county staff, cut funding for statistical services, and eliminate rural water and wastewater loan and grant programs
- Cut funding for management of our public lands and water, limiting investments in conservation and recreation
- Reduce funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program and eliminate the National Wildlife Refuge Fund, two programs that support counties with public land
- Eliminate funding for National Heritage Areas, three of which are located in Colorado
- Cut support for thousands of low income households in rural Colorado to heat their homes
- Eliminate the Essential Air Service program, which provides critical support for small community airports
- Cut millions from training programs for health professionals and nurses