The programs impacting local units of government in the federal budget were all preserved, or saw small increases in the budget Congress recently approved. The budget overall increases discretionary spending to state and local governments by 4.5%, $24 billion, to a total of $492 billion. Some key local programs that saw flat funding or slight increases include TIGER grants and public transit “new starts” program, CDBG, Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund programs, and the COPS program.The budget funds the federal government through September 30, 2014. The President is expected to present his FY 2014-15 budget to Congress some time in March.

Summer Minnick is Director of Policy Initiatives and Federal Affairs. She can be reached at 517-908-0301 or sminnick@mml.org