Rural Americans will lose billions of dollars in federal assistance to support infrastructure and economic development in their communities under the Trump’s 2018 federal budget.
Trump wants to slash rural housing subsidies, mortgage loan guarantees, programs that maintain clean water and other utilities and independent agencies that support job training programs. Just a few of the rural agencies which will see draconian cuts:
The Rural Utilities Service will lose billions of dollars, including more than $2 billion used to keep power lines, phones and Internet connectivity working in rural areas. Funding for rural business owners also will become almost non-existent, down from nearly $130 million in 2017 to $31 million under the Trump budget.
USDA’s Rural Housing Service will also undergo billions in cuts that virtually eliminate direct loans and mortgage guarantees for rural households, making homeownership and revitalization even more difficult.
The Rural Housing Insurance Fund — which provides mortgages to rural home buyers and insures home loans — will be rendered all but obsolete with its 2017 budget of $3.7 billion slashed to a laughable (or cry able depending on your POV) $250 million in 2018.
Trump also wants to terminate of several independent agencies that invest heavily in rural America, including the
Appalachian Regional Commission and
the Delta Regional Commission.
The Agricultural Research Service — which funds scientific research specifically focused on issues related to farming, livestock, nutrition and food safety — would see its discretionary budget cut by $165 million.
MAGA! Except if you happen to live on a farm in Eastern Kentucky or a family ranch in Western Colorado or a small town in Alabama. Meh, who needs Rural America, anyway? Sure, we produce all your food, but I’m certain that the breadbasket of the Ukraine will step in to help out.
SOURCE:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.933e80506a2d
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