President Barack Obama’s budget was released Monday. Will these pass the House and Senate?

Environmental Protection Agency: The President is proposing to pare back $1.3 billion, Republicans would double the reduction to $2.7 billion.

Community Development Block Grants: The President cuts $350 million, Republicans cut more than six times as much.

Pell Grant Program: The President would save for low-income college, Republicans would step back and let the maximum grant fall by 15 percent.

National Science Foundation: The President is proposing almost $7.8 billion, Republicans cuts would take the NSF back to about $6.5 billion.

Foreign Aid and State Department Funding: …almost a $10 billion difference.

What does all this mean? If you don’t still have a magic decoder ring from your last box of Cracker Jacks, consider booking an economist to decode these numbers at your next meeting.   Contact Speak, Inc. for help selecting the most appropriate economist for your group.