Post by Okwes on Feb 9, 2006 11:18:08 GMT -5
Proposed BIA budget contains cuts to education, other programs
Administration defends spending, critics vow a fight
Sam Lewin 2/8/2006
The proposed Bureau of Indians Affairs budget for the next fiscal year
has been released. Bush Administration officials say the spending plan
focuses on the BIA’s “core mission areas,” while opponents of the
proposal charge there are too many cuts and a disproportionate chunk of
the money is tied up in the trust fund issue.
The proposed budget is $2.33 billion, which is $65 million less than the
current budget.
“The President’s 2007 budget request focuses on the BIA’s core mission
areas-trust and education-while continuing to support tribal
self-determination,” said associate deputy secretary for the Department
of Interior James Cason. “We have worked in consultation with tribal
leaders to develop a BIA budget that more accurately reflects their
needs and priorities.”
That’s one way of looking at it. From Senator Tim Johnson of South
Dakota, a Democrat, here’s another:
“Essential programs, such as health care and education, are being
slashed-hurting the people that need it most. Budgets are about
priorities, and it is obvious to me that the President's budget
priorities are backwards,” Johnson said.
Johnson said that under the budget Indian Country construction would
take a $60 million cut, from $276 million to $216 million, and Native
American Housing Block Grants from the Department of Housing and Urban
Development are slashed by $4 million. The Johnson-O'Malley Indian
education program, established in 1934, is completely wiped out.
Sue Spivey, the Johnson O'Malley tutor for Oklahoma’s Roland Public
Schools, said she currently has 312 students using the program.
“I’d hate to see that happen,” was the reaction of Spivey, Cherokee, to
the proposed elimination of Johnson O’Malley. “It definitely helps
Indian students here.”
There are some increases in health care. Bush’s budget calls for $80
million more next year for Indian Health Service, although the Urban
Indian Health program, of which there are two satellites in Oklahoma,
has lost its funding.
In a D.C. appearance this week, Interior Secretary Gale Norton touted
the more than half-billion dollars in federal funds directed towards
trust reform.
Even that has been a source of controversy. Before the budget was
released, the Interior's Cason sent a letter to tribal leaders across
the country that said “activities” in the Indian trust lawsuit “has had
an effect upon the financial resources available to carry out Indian
programs.”
Among other things, the letter cited the $ 2 million-plus the feds are
required by court order to pay Dennis Ginggold, the attorney
representing the Indian plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
“This is a cruel effort to inflict even more pain on the victims of the
government’s long- acknowledged misbehavior,” Elouise Cobell, the
Blackfeet elder Ginnggold represents, said about Cason’s letter. “It is
just plain despicable.”
Congress must still approve the Bush budget, and officials will appear
later this month before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee for a
hearing, so there could be changes to the spending plan.
"I remain focused on working with tribes to address important needs in
Indian Country. I will work to restore funding to vital programs,” said
Johnson.
You can reach Sam Lewin at sam@okit.com
Administration defends spending, critics vow a fight
Sam Lewin 2/8/2006
The proposed Bureau of Indians Affairs budget for the next fiscal year
has been released. Bush Administration officials say the spending plan
focuses on the BIA’s “core mission areas,” while opponents of the
proposal charge there are too many cuts and a disproportionate chunk of
the money is tied up in the trust fund issue.
The proposed budget is $2.33 billion, which is $65 million less than the
current budget.
“The President’s 2007 budget request focuses on the BIA’s core mission
areas-trust and education-while continuing to support tribal
self-determination,” said associate deputy secretary for the Department
of Interior James Cason. “We have worked in consultation with tribal
leaders to develop a BIA budget that more accurately reflects their
needs and priorities.”
That’s one way of looking at it. From Senator Tim Johnson of South
Dakota, a Democrat, here’s another:
“Essential programs, such as health care and education, are being
slashed-hurting the people that need it most. Budgets are about
priorities, and it is obvious to me that the President's budget
priorities are backwards,” Johnson said.
Johnson said that under the budget Indian Country construction would
take a $60 million cut, from $276 million to $216 million, and Native
American Housing Block Grants from the Department of Housing and Urban
Development are slashed by $4 million. The Johnson-O'Malley Indian
education program, established in 1934, is completely wiped out.
Sue Spivey, the Johnson O'Malley tutor for Oklahoma’s Roland Public
Schools, said she currently has 312 students using the program.
“I’d hate to see that happen,” was the reaction of Spivey, Cherokee, to
the proposed elimination of Johnson O’Malley. “It definitely helps
Indian students here.”
There are some increases in health care. Bush’s budget calls for $80
million more next year for Indian Health Service, although the Urban
Indian Health program, of which there are two satellites in Oklahoma,
has lost its funding.
In a D.C. appearance this week, Interior Secretary Gale Norton touted
the more than half-billion dollars in federal funds directed towards
trust reform.
Even that has been a source of controversy. Before the budget was
released, the Interior's Cason sent a letter to tribal leaders across
the country that said “activities” in the Indian trust lawsuit “has had
an effect upon the financial resources available to carry out Indian
programs.”
Among other things, the letter cited the $ 2 million-plus the feds are
required by court order to pay Dennis Ginggold, the attorney
representing the Indian plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
“This is a cruel effort to inflict even more pain on the victims of the
government’s long- acknowledged misbehavior,” Elouise Cobell, the
Blackfeet elder Ginnggold represents, said about Cason’s letter. “It is
just plain despicable.”
Congress must still approve the Bush budget, and officials will appear
later this month before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee for a
hearing, so there could be changes to the spending plan.
"I remain focused on working with tribes to address important needs in
Indian Country. I will work to restore funding to vital programs,” said
Johnson.
You can reach Sam Lewin at sam@okit.com