The Children's Budget Act - Tracking Investments in Kids

How much of the federal budget is spent on children's programs? Even experienced policy analysts struggle to determine the answer to this question. Recent reports reveal that over the past several years, federal support for many important childrens programs has dropped substantially, and overall, the federal investment in children is on the decline. According to Children's Budget 2008 , only one penny out of every new, real, non-defense dollar spent by the federal government went towards children over the past five years. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) recently introduced legislation that aims to make children a priority in the federal budget by requiring that the Presidents annual budget request includes a separate analysis of all spending on childrens programs. The Children's Budget Act (S.3277) would collect the diverse sources of funding for children's programs, in a unified place, communicating a clear picture of the federal funding benefiting America's young people. Several states and local governments already produce annual Children's Budgets. These budgets, in cities like Philadelphia and states like Louisiana, make it clear how their governments are responding to the needs of children. Children's Budgets have proven to be an invaluable source of information, as well as an inexpensive and efficient way to improve the lives of children.

 

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