Federal Budget Cuts Would Have Chilling Effect on Nevada Latinos and State’s Economy

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Experts weigh in during afternoon roundtable event

LAS VEGAS—A federal budget proposal that unscrupulously guts funding from critical antipoverty programs and a looming tax reform plan that prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations were central topics discussed today during a roundtable event hosted by UnidosUS (formerly NCLR) and Nevada community leaders. The event highlighted the negative effects of cuts proposed in Trump’s 2018 budget, a plan that runs contrary to Trump’s repeated campaign pledge to help struggling Americans, and is on par with an equally disastrous budget proposal passed by the House Budget Committee due to face a vote in the coming weeks.

“The budget deliberately undermines the economic footing of working families by defunding critical social programs and services. For states like Nevada, deep cuts to these services could jeopardize the well-being of the estimated 150,000 Latino Nevadans who live in poverty and rely on these programs to make ends meet,” said Rafael Collazo, Director of Political Campaigns at UnidosUS.

UnidosUS released a fact sheet during the afternoon event: “Federal Programs Lift Latinos Out of Poverty: Spotlight on Nevada” that reinforces the need to protect some of the essential programs that are at risk. In Nevada alone, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was responsible for lifting nearly 28,000 Nevada Latinos out of poverty in 2015, while the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal tax credit for low- and moderate-income workers, helped nearly 43,000 Latinos.

“The proposed budget released by the Trump administration has one clear goal: to strip the most vulnerable members of our community of much-needed social programs and pad the wallets of corporations and the most wealthy. Congress should stand up for America’s working middle class and reject his budget,” Collazo added.

UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For almost 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our country stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.