What the Sequester Means for You
February 26, 2013
If you think the looming “sequester” – the series of automatic federal spending cuts set to go into effect Friday, March 1 – doesn’t affect you and your family, think again.
From forcing deep cuts to education and local law enforcement to slashing vital health and safety regulatory agencies, the sequester could cost upwards of 2 million jobs – in both the public and private sectors. New state-by-state reports compiled by the White House show just how big an impact it will have on jobs and public services in your area. For example:
Congressional Republicans and President Obama agreed to the sequester in the summer of 2011. Under that agreement, failure to slash the deficit by $4 trillion by 2013 will result in automatic across the board cuts totaling almost $1 trillion. Originally set to kick in at the start of the new year, Congress agreed to push the deadline to March. In state legislatures and governors’ mansions across the country, both Democrats and Republicans say they are concerned that the sweeping cuts could interrupt the tentative economic recovery. Says Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) in a letter to congressional lawmakers and President Obama:
IBEW members employed by the federal government or government contractors will be hit especially hard. Congress will soon be gearing up for an even bigger budget battle post-sequester. The Continuing Resolution that funds the overall discretionary operations of the federal government expires March 27, which means the government could literally shutdown all together in a few weeks. Says International President Edwin D. Hill:
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