PRESENTS GARFIELD & MARKS JOAVDAVID anella z Handbags & Belts Numbers Crunch Cyd & Samm & More! INSIDE ORCHARD MALL This spring's budget battle concerns Jewish activists worried about communal interests. More importantly, the projections JAMES D. BESSER of a budget surplus, possibly before Washington Correspondent the end of the calendar year, are all based on the optimistic notion that resident Clinton is getting the economy will continue its robust set to unveil his budget for growth, despite economic turmoil in the fiscal year that begins on the rest of the world that's spreading Oct. 1, and as usual, the like an insidious new virus. Republican-led Congress will digest American financial institutions will his numbers and spit out something inevitably be affected by the plunges significantly different, with a lot of in Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, old-fashioned horse trading along the Japan and Indonesia, but nobody way. knows how much. The impact may be But this year's budget battles will be modest or it may be an economic shot anything but routine because of one in the solar plexus, but one thing is mind-bending fact: For the first time for certain: it would be naive to . in decades, there is at least the possi- believe we are somehow bility of a balanced bud- insulated. 11 get. By next year the bud- So what looks now get could produce a small like a possible budget surplus without the kinds surplus could quickly of wholesale program cuts § turn into a burgeoning that began in 1995, after deficit. That problem, the Republicans wrested Jewish activists generally control of Capitol Hill agree, would almost cer- from the Democrats. tainly be multiplied by But if anybody expects aggressive new tax cuts. that the feds will be Although no group has rolling in dough come taken official positions October, they should on the issue, some lead- think again. ing Jewish activists are A variety of factors, privately warning including plummeting against cuts based on economies in Asia, roller- projections of a continu- coaster financial markets ing boom. York Stock Exchange studies the listings. here and Republican A trader on the New But resisting big cuts demands for big tax cuts will be extraordinarily could turn the annual bud- difficult with congressional elections "That's going to be a big priority get fight into the political equivalent in the offing. for Jewish groups," said Richard of a riot. The stakes for Jewish groups in Foltin, political director for the Amer- What's in it for the Jews? Funding this debate are enormous because of ican Jewish Committee. "But there for a host of programs serving the the continuing reliance of Jewish will definitely be resistance on Capitol poor, the sick and the elderly, and the social and health service providers on Hill." financial well-being of Jewish philan- government money to supplement That, in fact, is the problem. While thropies that increasingly work in money raised by Jewish philan- partnership with federal and state gov- Clinton wants to spend at least some thropies. of the added revenues that may put a ernments, that's what. 'A few years ago, we hoped we balanced budget within reach, Repub- And in case anybody is still inter- could become less dependent on gov- licans want to use it to provide more ested, foreign aid for Israel also could ernment entitlements," said an official tax cuts, which they say will stimulate face severe new problems if this with a major Jewish group here. "But the economy, or to pay down the spring's budget wars turn ugly. with our elderly population expanding national debt. President Clinton's budget proposal and with continuing strains on Jewish Each battle to restore or expand won't be finalized until early February, giving, that's simply not happening. In benefits will be the political equivalent but there are tantalizing hints of what of trench warfare — long and unpleas- today's world, we can't go it alone it may contain. without partnership with government ant, with lots of potential for nasty The president, with the deficit programs." [11 surprises. monster held at bay at least for now, P will propose modest expansions of social, health and educational services and try to restore some of the pro- grams downsized by congressional budget cutters — cuts that Clinton signed, it should be noted. In a series of public events last week, Clinton outlined plans to expand access to Medicare and child care, both priority items for many Jewish leaders. There are strong indications the White House will press for a restora- tion of food stamps for legal immi- grants, although the details have not been announced. West Bloomfield Orchard Lake Rd. 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