Fed budget might cut Nevada programs

Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 | 11:18 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Nevada lawmakers are preparing for budget battles over Nevada programs that could be cut from federal funding rolls according to President Bush's proposed budget, due next week.

The budget is a framework for Congress. Lawmakers make federal funding decisions during the year-long budget process, but ultimately President Bush must sign them into law.

Among the programs that may be on Bush's chopping block are programs and projects that Congress and Bush approved just last year as part of the Labor and Health and Human Services spending bill. The programs have not yet received the money, and Bush apparently wants to "redirect" it to other priorities, congressional members said. A few of the programs include:

The Bush administration also has proposed sacrificing hundreds of education programs in part to help pay off a deficit in the popular 30-year-old Pell Grant program, which benefits roughly 4.4 million college students, Education Secretary Rod Paige said this week.

Among the programs is a $440,000 after-school project in Clark County designed to reduce the drop-out rate, a project promoted by Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. Berkley vows to preserve the money, spokesman Michael O'Donovan said.

Betsy Fretwell, assistant city manager for the city of Las Vegas, said the city has not been notified that the displaced workers funding could be cut.

"We've not been given any indication that the funding is at risk, and we're working with the delegation offices every day regarding the use of those funds," she said. "We're watching this with an eye to the future because these programs are important to the city and the citizens of the city."

Among other proposed cuts in Bush's budget: