Highlights from the President's FY 2018 Budget Request: Sequestration - the other budget threat
One complication for the FY 2018 budget process is that discretionary spending is scheduled to decrease by billions from FY 2017 levels. The reason for this decrease is Congress’ solution to previous spending impasses: the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA). This act set limits on how much can be spent on defense and non-defense discretionary spending for future years. While Congress frequently authorizes additional spending beyond the caps the act sets, if they fail to alter the FY 2018 spending level, it would reduce the discretionary budget by $110 billion.
Highlights from the President's FY 2018 Budget Request: Dept. of Agriculture
The president’s FY 2018 request for discretionary budget authority to fund programs and operating expenses is $21.0 billion, approximately $4.8 billion below the 2017 estimate in discretionary program funding for the Department of Agriculture (USDA). This includes funding for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Rural Development, Forest Service, food safety, research, and conservation activities. However, the budget does not include the USDA reorganization plan that was announced by Secretary Sonny Perdue on May 11, which proposes a change in status for Rural Development.
Highlights from the President's FY 2018 Budget Request: Dept. of Labor
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) within the Department of Labor would receive $6.9 billion under the president’s proposed FY 2018 budget, a $3.1 billion (31.1 percent) decrease from the FY 2017 approved budget.
White House budget challenges science, innovation proponents
The president’s budget for FY 2018 would eliminate funding for numerous innovation programs, slash spending on R&D and technology transfer and limit education and training opportunities. The full budget proposal may well be “dead on arrival” in Congress, but this is not the same as Congress rejecting each budget proposal.
Useful Stats: Federal Funds for R&D Spending by State, FY10
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has conducted a Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development for fiscal years 2010-12. In total, federal R&D obligations were $144.7 billion in FY10. The top state recipients, in absolute terms, are California ($28.3 billion, representing 19.6% of the national total), Maryland ($17.0 billion, 11.8%), Virginia ($9.3 billion, 6.4%), Massachusetts ($8.9 billion, 6.1%), and Texas ($7.3 billion, 5.0%).
Overview of the President's FY17 Federal Budget Request
Earlier this week, President Obama released his final budget proposal, outlining $4.1 trillion in spending for federal agencies. Each year, SSTI reviews the president’s federal budget request for programs and spending related to entrepreneurship, regional innovation, economic development, manufacturing, research and development, technology commercialization, and STEM education and workforce training.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Agriculture Budget Request
Estimated FY16 funding levels are used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Commerce Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding levels are used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Defense Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding is used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Energy Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding is used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Homeland Security Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding is used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Justice Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding is used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) would receive $29 billion in FY17 discretionary funding under the president’s budget request, a 1 percent increase.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of the Interior Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding levels are used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of the Treasury Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding levels are used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Transportation Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding is used for the Department of Transportation comparisons, unless otherwise noted.
The president’s FY17 budget request for the Department of Transportation (DOT) totals $98.1 billion (35.5 percent increase), including a vision to build a clean transportation system for the 21st century. Notable investments in research and development from the Department of Transportation include:
Highlights from the President's FY17 Environmental Protection Agency Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding is used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Housing and Urban Development Budget Request
Estimated FY16 funding is used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
The president’s FY17 budget request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is $48.9 billion, a 4 percent increase. Priority funding items within HUD include rental housing assistance, ending homelessness, supporting tribal communities, and improving mobility for low-income families.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Regional Commissions Budget Request
The president’s FY17 budget proposal includes requests for four regional commissions, which work to develop the economies of economically distressed regions.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Small Business Administration Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding levels are used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 NASA Budget Request
FY16 enacted funding is used for NASA comparisons, unless otherwise noted.
Under the president’s FY17 budget request, NASA would receive $19 billion (1.6 percent decrease). For a number of programs, FY16 comparisons are unavailable because NASA’s FY16 operation plan has not been finalized. Priority items in the NASA budget include the development of technologies that make future space programs more affordable and capable, continued support for the Webb Telescope, and developments to catalyze growth in the American commercial space industry.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Labor Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding is used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
The president’s FY17 budget proposal would provide $12.8 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Labor (DOL), a 4.9 percent increase from FY16. Priority items supported in the budget are apprenticeships, career navigation tools, and additional reforms recommended in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Highlights from the President's FY17 National Science Foundation Budget Request
Estimated FY16 funding levels are used for NSF comparisons, unless otherwise noted.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Education Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding is used for comparisons, unless otherwise noted.
The president’s FY17 proposed budget would allocate $69.4 billion in discretionary funding (1.6 percent increase) for the Department of Education. Priority areas addressed in the budget proposal include increasing equity and excellence in education, providing additional support for teachers and school leaders, and expanding access, affordability, and completion in higher education.
Highlights from the President's FY17 Department of Health and Human Services Budget Request
Enacted FY16 funding levels are used for comparisons unless otherwise noted.
Senate Commerce Committee Votes to Increase Regional Innovation Authorization
The Senate Commerce Committee approved Wednesday the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA), a reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act. SSTI thanks Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) for his leadership in successfully offering an amendment to increase the authorization level for the Regional Innovation (RI) program to $30 million, which provides support for local innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth. SSTI also recognizes Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Sen.