Jackson Free Press

Clarion-Ledger Washington Bureau reporter Ana Radelat writes today:

Lawmakers scrambling to find money to pay for the cost of Hurricane Katrina and other emergencies Tuesday began debating spending cuts that could mean less money for Mississippi farmers and food stamp recipients. The Senate, which will consider the proposed spending cuts first, hopes to slash about $39 billion from the federal budget and reallocate money to other priorities. The House is looking to find $50 billion in savings and is planning even deeper cuts.

Senate proposals would restrict the Department of Agriculture's conservation reserve program that pays landowners for protecting wetlands, imposes new penalties on sugar loan forfeitures and reduces other farm subsidies.
The Senate also plans to reduce Medicaid and Medicare spending and eliminate a fund that encourages doctor networks to work in inner cities, rural communities and other underserved areas.

The plan also would provide about $1.7 billion so the federal government could pick up 100 percent of the Medicaid costs of Katrina victims for five months.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the package Thursday after considering a series of amendments.

Democrats hope to ask for more money for Katrina victims, and some Republicans may seek deeper cuts to farm subsidies.