Clinton budget hammers industry

Pres Clinton's 1999 budget plan would reduce the financing for infrastructure and federal building programs in a move that can affect the construction industry. The budget allocation for the federal-aid highway program is cut by 2%, to $22.8 billion. The appropriation for operation and maintenance is also reduced to $1.6 billion. On the other hand, the White House allocated $355 million, which is $18.4 million higher than 1998, for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The additional budget will go to efforts to lessen sickness and injuries related to construction.