Lean budget? Let's hope so.

My biggest complaint with President Bush's first term is the rising level of domestic spending. It has been outrageous--especially given Republican control of Congress and the presidency.

Donald Lambro reports in today's Washington Times that this may be coming to an end:

President Bush will propose a virtual freeze on overall non-defense discretionary spending in next year's budget and will abolish or consolidate wasteful, duplicative programs, according to administration budget officials.

...

Administration insiders and congressional budget officials said this week that the budget Mr. Bush will send to Congress early next month will propose freezing or substantially cutting many agencies and programs that fall within the discretionary budget that must be appropriated each year.

Lambro also reports that critics will believe it when they see it. Count me in that camp.

But I'm hopeful.