On May 6th the Citizens Budget Campaign organized a hearing in City Council. This report tells How the proposed 2003 federal budget will impact Pittsburgh.

The federal budget has a very direct and immediate impact on you and on the lives of every person living in the Pittsburgh area. The usual forum for debate over the budget is in the U.S. Congress.

On May 14th the Pittsburgh City Council unanimously passed the Citizen Budget Campaign’s Proclamation for a Sensible Budget. Co-sponsors are Sala Udin, chair of Council’s budget committee, who sponsored CBC’s May 6th public hearing on The Impact of the Proposed FY2003 Federal Budget on Pittsburgh, and Councilman Jim Ferlo.

Two hours of powerful testimony brought home the reality of how cuts in federal spending proposed by Mr. Bush would affect our everyday lives. Many thanks to the individuals and local advocacy groups who extended themselves so we could bring into focus a story that has been largely ignored by the media.

This federal budget proposal reflects the hard right agenda of an Administration bent on crippling federal programs that benefit poor and working families and the common good while it piles on special favors to the wealthy and powerful interests.

This budget would make the 2001 Bush tax cut permanent, despite the fact that it was passed during a year of budget surplus. In this deficit year the very richest Americans get a bonanza, with the top 1% raking off 52.1% of the total, and the bottom 60%, whose average incomes are under $35,900, getting just 6.6%. (Citizens for Tax Justice)

Worse, most Americans lose more through budget cuts than they’d gain from any tax cut. It’s the "Heads I win, tails you lose"style of politics — government of, by and for the rich and powerful.

Till now, Democrats in Congress have kept a low profile on the budget. Lacking any conflict in Congress the media’s ignored this assault on the public interest.

Unless you read the Tribune Review, which did a small piece on the hearing, or can wait until August, when the Anderson Little Show on WDUQ-TV will air portions of the hearing, it’s unlikely you even heard about it.

The new alternative paper, PULP, did highlight it in a cover profile on me, but for the most part the local media missed this very important story on "George W.’s Plan for Pittsburgh." Do read on for details of the hearing, the power of which grows out of the cumulative effect of the message offered by some of the most dedicated advocates in this city.