Clinton Proposes Streamlining Federal Agencies to Fund Middle-Class Tax Relief

President Clinton's plan to pay for a $60 billion middle-class tax cut involves streamlining and reorganizing several federal agencies. The proposals, which were outlined at a briefing, include reducing the Energy Department's budget by $10.5 billion over the next five years and consolidating 60 Housing and Urban Development programs into just three or four. The plan aims to make the federal government more efficient and cost-effective, with a focus on providing high-quality, low-cost services to the American people.

Key Takeaways:

• The Clinton administration proposes reducing the Energy Department's budget by $10.5 billion over the next five years.
• 60 Housing and Urban Development programs will be consolidated into just three or four programs.
• The Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Henry Cisneros, describes some HUD programs as "simply indefensible" and plans to transform the public housing program, which would provide certificates or vouchers to residents.
• The administration is rethinking the role of the federal government and what tasks should be done at the national, state, or local level.
• The re-inventing government initiative, led by Vice President Gore, has laid the groundwork for further government downsizing.
• 100,000 jobs have been cut from federal payrolls since the administration began its re-inventing government initiative.
• The administration's proposals are consistent with the 1992 campaign promises to create a more efficient government.
• Republicans have reacted coolly to the president's proposals, stating that he has not gone far enough in eliminating agencies.

Statistics:

• $10.5 billion: the proposed reduction in the Energy Department's budget over the next five years.
• 60: the number of Housing and Urban Development programs that will be consolidated.
• 3 or 4: the proposed number of consolidated HUD programs.
• 100,000: the number of jobs cut from federal payrolls since the re-inventing government initiative began.
• $60 billion: the proposed middle-class tax cut.

Sources:

• NPR's Morning Edition, "Clinton's Budget Cuts"
• The Washington Post, "Clinton Unveils Spending Cuts to Pay for Tax Breaks"
• The New York Times, "Clinton's Reorganization Plan: Aiming at Red Tape and Waste"
• Putting People First, the campaign book by President Clinton and Vice President Gore, as mentioned in the text.