Lowey Highlights Lower Hudson Valley Priorities In President’s Budget

“The President’s budget proposal is a responsible plan that helps hardworking Americans and invests in the future of our nation,” said Lowey. “As the economy continues its recovery, the Congress has been presented a bold, forward-looking strategy that would also benefit the state of New York and the Lower Hudson Valley. This includes investments in early and higher education, child nutrition, small business, medical research, transportation infrastructure, and important measures to combat prescription drug abuse and the heroin epidemic. As Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, I will be fighting to fund many of the President’s proposals.”

U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

K Reakes

02/12/2016 2:00 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Nita M. Lowey (Westchester/Rockland), outlines the President Obama's fiscal year 2017 budget, released on Tuesday, Feb. 9, and the benefits to the state and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Some highlights from the budget include the following:

Higher education: Fully fund the maximum Pell Grant award for low-income students to $5,935 for the 2017-18 school year and continue to index Pell Grants to inflation; make Pell Grants to low-income students available year-round.
Investing in Education: Increase Title I grants to local school districts by three percent, or $450 million, to offset costs of student improvement for students in need and reduce burden on local taxpayers.
Child Care and Early Education: The proposed budget would increase federal investments in Head Start by $434 million to maintain enrollment and provide additional full-day, full-year services for more children; provide an increase of $201 million for Child Care Development Block Grants.
Preventing Heroin and Opioid Abuse: Prescription opioid abuse and the heroin epidemic are ravaging communities across the country, including the Lower Hudson Valley. The budget includes $1 billion in new mandatory funding over two years to expand access to treatment for prescription drug abuse and heroin use.
Transportation and Infrastructure: The budget would increase from $500 million to $1.25 billion the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant program.
Summer Meals for Children: According to the Food Bank for Westchester, approximately 200,000 people are at risk of hunger or are facing food insecurity in Westchester County, including 66,000 children. The proposed budget would expand the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program nationwide to provide low-income students with access to meals during the summer months.

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