There definitely was austerity from the federal government. There was an across the board 10% cut to all spending. And even if you don't consider that austerit

There definitely was austerity from the federal government. There was an across the board 10% cut to all spending. And even if you don't consider that austerity, several states severely trimmed their budgets for public assistance, despite it being a time when it was needed more than before.