March 1981
The Reagan administration dismantles the Community Services Administration, eliminates CETA job training, and proposes replacing federal urban aid with enterprise zones offering tax incentives. Urban League president Vernon Jordan condemns the budget as devastating to Black urban communities. Federal urban aid drops by roughly 60% between 1980 and 1990 in inflation-adjusted dollars.
The Congressional Black Caucus, led by Chair Walter Fauntroy, releases an alternative federal budget opposing Reagan's proposed cuts to social programs. The CBC budget preserves full funding for AFDC, food stamps, Medicaid, public housing, and job training. Though rejected by the Republican-controlled Senate and House, the CBC budget documents in detail the specific harm Reagan's cuts would inflict on Black communities.
Events
- March 1981Reagan Ends Urban Development Programs, Proposes Enterprise Zones
The Reagan administration dismantles the Community Services Administration, eliminates CETA job training, and proposes replacing federal urban aid with enterprise zones offering tax incentives. Urban League president Vernon Jordan condemns the budget as devastating to Black urban communities. Federal urban aid drops by roughly 60% between 1980 and 1990 in inflation-adjusted dollars.
- March 12, 1981Congressional Black Caucus Releases Alternative Budget Opposing Reagan Cuts
The Congressional Black Caucus, led by Chair Walter Fauntroy, releases an alternative federal budget opposing Reagan's proposed cuts to social programs. The CBC budget preserves full funding for AFDC, food stamps, Medicaid, public housing, and job training. Though rejected by the Republican-controlled Senate and House, the CBC budget documents in detail the specific harm Reagan's cuts would inflict on Black communities.