WASHINGTON, DC -- “From warfare to Medicare, taxes to terrorism, education to the environment, the Administration’s proposed budget leaves America in general, and Philadelphia in particular, with more of the same reckless policies that helped create the economic chaos facing our federal government. “Under the President’s recommend 2008 budget, Philadelphians would experience a decrease in their Medicare benefits while seeing an increase in their premiums.  Middle class families would see more cost and less coverage for healthcare. “While violent crime continues to plague our city and prematurely snatch the potential and the very lives of our young people, the President’s budget would eliminate a major local crime fighting tool – the Community Oriented Policing Service Program (COPS). The safety and security of Philadelphia’s citizens will be negatively impacted by the abolishment of such a vital program. “For the tens of millions of America’s students the President’s budget offers both good and bad news. I am encouraged that after years of attempting to defund the program,  the Administration has heeded the will of Congress in supporting level funding for GEAR UP.  This program, which I created in the 1990s, has helped over six million students on the path to higher education and greater opportunity.   However, the President’s budget diverts needed public school funds for private school vouchers.  In the President’s proposed budget, funding for Career and Technical Education programs is cut in half.  The proposed spending for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) would not even allow Pennsylvania to continue covering those students who are currently enrolled, let alone cover more of the 200,000 uninsured children in the state. “Economic development in Philadelphia has been strengthened by an infusion of Community Development Block Grants.  The Administration’s budget would do away with the program placing the economic well-being of Philadelphia’s communities and its future generations in financial jeopardy. “The cost of the war in Iraq continues to escalate into the billions of dollars.  Meanwhile, if the President had his way millions of Americans would see increases in their taxes and decreases in their social security benefits.