Northeast-Midwest Weekly Update
– 20 September 2004
Headlines
·
Flow of Federal
Funds Data
·
LIHEAP
·
Manufacturing
Extension Partnership
·
Appropriations
FLOW OF FEDERAL FUNDS DATA
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The Northeast-Midwest Institute and Coalitions are asking the Office of
Management and Budget and the Census Bureau to provide continued timely access
to accurate federal expenditure data. The groups expressed concern about
this year's five-month delay in the release of fiscal 2003 numbers, a dearth of
up-to-date federal procurement data, and talk earlier this summer that the
Census Bureau's Governments Division would not be able to update its online
query system using the fiscal 2003 data. The Census Bureau's federal funds data
are very important to the tracking and analyzing of state-level expenditures by
federal agencies and programs. Contact: Matt Kane at the Institute (612/825-0443).
LIHEAP
---------
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) are
seeking signatures on a letter that asks appropriators to provide $600 million
in emergency funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP). The letter notes that Americans are facing record high prices
this winter for oil, natural gas, and propane. These increases
disproportionately burden senior citizens and low-income Americans who are also
struggling to pay for higher food, housing, and health care costs. The
letter notes that supplemental legislation or the fiscal 2005 appropriation may
be our last opportunity to act before the winter cold sets in. The
signature deadline is Tuesday, September 21. Contact: Kris Sarri at the
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (202/224-0606).
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
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Senate appropriators last week provided $112 million for the
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the only federal program helping
small and mid-sized manufacturers. The Senate mark for fiscal 2005 is
well above the administration’s $39-million request and even exceeds the
House provision of $106 million. The Northeast-Midwest Coalitions and
Manufacturing Task Forces have championed the program and continue to push the
Commerce Department to reprogram fiscal 2004 funds toward MEP.
APPROPRIATIONS
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Click here for an
update on appropriations to key regional programs.