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The Human Needs Report is the Coalition on Human Needs'
newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable
populations. It is published every other week while Congress is
in session.
If you would like to receive the Human Needs Report by email,
send an message to Adam Hughes with "subscibe
Human Needs Report" in the subject line.
- CBO Projects Ten Year, $5.6 Trillion Surplus
Despite moves by the Federal Reserve Board to cut interest rates because of a potential economic slowdown, the Congressional Budget Office released new budget estimates on January 31 pointing to a record $5.6 trillion surplus over the next ten years (2002-2011). CBO projects that the economy will slow slightly in 2001 and then regain its strength in 2002 and beyond. According to the report the surplus will reach $281 billion in FY 2001, the current fiscal year which began last October 1, and $313 billion in FY 2002, the coming fiscal year which starts on October 1 of this year.
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- Bush Announces Disability Initiative
Flanked by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) in the East Room of the White House, President Bush on February 1 announced a new $1.025 billion, five year initiative for people with disabilities. The proposal, called the New Freedom Initiative, will provide low-interest loans for assistive technology that makes work more accessible, including wheelchairs, telecommuting equipment, and text telephones for the hearing-impaired. The proposal will also help cover the cost of housing loans. According to White House estimates, there are 54 million people with disabilities in the United States. They face unemployment rates of roughly 70 percent and less than 10 percent own a home.
- Education Leads Bush Legislative Agenda
On January 23, the Bush administration submitted a $47.6 billion education reform plan to Congress. The proposal would reauthorize the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which was last reauthorized in 1994. The plan links federal aid to school performance and includes private school vouchers as a component for students in failing school districts.
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