The Nation : Mayors Hit Budget Plans

Four Southern mayors questioned President Reagan’s budgetary priorities, saying American cities would be “devastated” under the Administration’s proposed spending plan. The proposed budget would slash basic federal programs such as urban development action grants, public transit block grants and general revenue sharing, said New Orleans Mayor Ernest Morial, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He added that the cuts could mean some cities will have lost 80% in federal funds since 1981. Morial appeared at a news conference with Mayors Andrew Young of Atlanta, Pat Screen of Baton Rouge, La., and John Bourne Jr. of North Charleston, S.C., after the four met in Atlanta.