But Utah Sen. Bob Bennett cautioned that the president's blueprint is far from the final word.
"The president's budget is a request and the first step in the process," said Bennett, a member of the appropriations committee, which will delve into these requests.
Many other cuts could impact Utah, such as a proposed $34 million reduction in the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes program, known as PILT. That program helps Western counties cover firefighting, search and rescue and other expenses associated with taking care of federal land. The president has repeatedly tried to cut the PILT program, riling Utah's congressional delegation.
"If we in the West can't get more control over our own lands and destiny, we at least need to be compensated more fully," said Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah.
The rural housing program, which distributes grants to homebuyers in rural areas with small economies, such as much of rural Utah, faces a proposed $933 million cut nationwide.
Utah would also lose millions of federal dollars in block grants that help with child care subsidies, affordable housing projects and city-level economic development.
mcanham@sltrib.com
Other proposed cuts that could affect Utahns include:
* A $2 million drop in money in the low-income home-energy assistance program.
* An $800,000 reduction in a program that helps the state recruit and train highly qualified teachers.
* A cut of about $4 million to a program that helps the state enforce child-support laws, from $42 million to $38 million.
* A $10 million budget reduction for the airport improvement program.
