Clinton’s Spending Plan Tests County’s Ingenuity

The federal budget recently released by President Clinton has some good news in it, but the county’s resourcefulness in dealing with the needs of its immigrant population is likely to be tested in the face of proposed cuts.

For some time, local officials in Orange County and elsewhere nervously have awaited changes ahead in social programs. When Clinton delivered his $1.7-trillion budget for fiscal 1998 to Congress on Feb. 6, what might be ahead became a little clearer.

The president called for the restoration of welfare benefits, Medicaid and food stamps to disabled legal immigrants. The fact that California has about 40% of the nation’s legal immigrants made it apparent how much is at stake. Of particular importance now is whether the president actually gets his way, or whether Congress leaves the new welfare law unchanged and considers only special circumstances in restoring benefits to those who have them cut back.

While this battle was taking shape, the jockeying was beginning in Orange County for those who might be affected. For example, Huynh Van Sang, an 80-year-old Vietnamese immigrant was passing up celebrating Tet, the new year, and trying to sell his personal stamp collection “just in case” his Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is terminated under the new welfare law.

There were other signs of nervousness in Little Saigon. There was concern about those who came to the United States after the Vietnam War as political refugees and were unable to build up sufficient work credits to qualify for Social Security.

The travel industry and other businesses serving Vietnamese immigrants were being forced to think less about celebrating a holiday and more about adjusting to the changing economic circumstances of customers. Others were talking about becoming citizens to preserve benefits and about expanding their horizons beyond their immediate community of refugees.

The Vietnamese, although constituting only 3% of the total population in Orange County, account for 32% of the noncitizens receiving SSI, those who are 65 or older, disabled or poor. For immigrants like these, there is a new sense of urgency and incentive to adapt to changes ahead. Whatever becomes of efforts to restore benefits, there are things that can be done to help those who might be affected.

The new fiscal realities summon creative thinking in the private sector, among successful professionals, and on the part of charities, to find ways of assisting members of their community find jobs, get training and make other adjustments to a changing environment. One newspaper editor noted accurately, “This marks a new era in our community.”

With all the likelihood of disruptive change, the proposed budget did contain encouraging commitments for Orange County.

It was not immediately apparent how all in the county would fare once Washington divided up the pie, but the White House recommended $52.9 million in next year’s budget for the important Santa Ana River flood control plan, which is designed to protect against a catastrophic flood. This long-awaited project would afford the county important protection.

There also were continued credit guarantees for the toll roads, money for a transit way and $1.5 million for the important Los Angeles-to-San Diego commuter rail project. Also, local commuters can benefit from rail and highway improvements scheduled for the Alameda Corridor in Los Angeles County. Even Mayor Miguel A. Pulido Jr. of Santa Ana, denied money for the Bristol Street widening project, was hopeful about the larger transportation picture.

One thing is clear amid the uncertainty: As more responsibility falls on local shoulders, the county will be tested as never before.