Breaking News: President to Propose Three-Year Spending Freeze on Discretionary Spending

According to several news sources, as of the writing of this column on January 26, 2010, President Obama plans to announce a three-year freeze on discretionary, non-security domestic spending. The freeze would not apply to defense or foreign aid or spending on intelligence, homeland security or veterans. If implemented, such a spending freeze would reduce non-security domestic spending by $250 billion.

The impact of a spending freeze on federal juvenile justice programs may be significant. Federal funding for core federal juvenile justice programs is still down by more than 50% overall since FY 2002. Any spending freeze for fiscal years 2011 through 2013 could mean further spending cuts in real terms, since the affected spending would not keep pace with inflation.

The freeze would likely not apply to every non-security domestic program, but to the overall level of federal spending during the targeted fiscal years. The President would still be able to propose new funding for some programs as long as offsetting cuts are found elsewhere. In addition, the President’s budget is a proposal. Congress would continue to exercise its authority to determine how much funding is appropriated in any given year.

It is critical that CJJ members and allies work with the Administration and Congress to preserve federal resources that are essential to the positive progress the nation has made towards preventing delinquency, improving justice supporting the success of youth, families and communities.