President Obama’s ambitious $3.55-trillion budget outline for fiscal year 2010 is the latest salvo in his administration’s efforts to revive and reshape the nation’s economy. The proposed budget blueprint, unveiled Feb. 26, aims to cut the federal deficit in half by 2013 but doesn’t slash construction accounts to reach that g oal. Instead, it would boost funding for water infrastructure and create a National Infrastructure Bank.
Meanwhile, Congress still needs to approve final spending numbers for fiscal 2009. Lawmakers approved a stopgap measure this fall to continue spending at 2008 levels through March 6.