SAN ANTONIO – There's now a clearer picture of what President Donald Trump's proposed budget would mean for the city of San Antonio.
That budget is loaded with potential cuts, which city officials said would amount to a loss of roughly $18 million locally.
The San Antonio Independent School District would also take a hit.
But there are increases in the president's proposal for the military, which could trickle down here -- to military city USA.
Three programs that the city of San Antonio receives federal funding for would be eliminated:
- Community development block grant
- Community services block grant
- Home investment partnership program
"The city has received community development block grant funds for more than 40 years, so it is surprising that a program that has been so popular, so effective, so helpful to those who need it the most, would be eliminated," San Antonio's city manager, Sheryl Sculley, said.
Those programs help fund housing improvements, street and sidewalk improvements and code enforcement in low-income areas.
All three total a loss of more than $17 million.
The city will also lose out on another $400,000 for the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children.
"I think it's very doubtful that the city could pick up all of these dollars if they were eliminated," Sculley said.
The proposed cuts would also impact SAISD by slashing roughly $1 million from the City Year program, which has 89 young mentors at seven SAISD schools, working with students on their attendance, behavior and math and English courses.
"They literally get here before the first bell rings and they stay until the last child leaves the after school program at the end of the day supporting students," vice president and director of City Year, Kelly Hughes Burton, said. "You know, there's a lot to lose."
Amid the cuts, there could also be a boost.
The president's budget proposal calls for an increase in military spending -- a key component of our local community.
"You say increase in defense spending, right? It may increase infrastructure efforts for our civilians that are out and about and using those same services," Lori Stinson, with the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, said.
More military spending could mean more military personnel brought to San Antonio, pumping more money into our local economy.
Meanwhile, city officials said the cuts to those programs could result in 76 jobs lost.
The president's budget plan is expected to be finalized in May.
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