Five days. That’s how long until the sequestration goes into effect. Sequestration, painted as one half of the worst thing ever, is a series of across the board federal cuts which are scheduled to occur if Congress doesn't act to cut spending. And Congress hasn't acted on spending since 2011 (when they voted not to act on it).
Are you scared yet?
It might not be as bad as you think. Before we get to the nitty gritty, the bits that Congress and the President are fighting over, remember this: no matter how loud both parties shout at each other, this is all a fake line in the sand. They could fix it tomorrow. The deadline wasn't dropped down from the heavens: it was plucked out by Congress. They could pass another law tomorrow and change it. And indeed, they might. They have already pushed off the debt ceiling a few times this year (if you’re keeping score, the new deadline is May 18).
But it makes for good politics now. Governors from both sides of the aisle tend to side with the White House, bracing for the cuts which will total $85 billion. Gov. Brian Sandoval (R-NV) said about the cuts, “ I've not given up hope, but we’re going to be prepared for whatever comes. There will be consequences for our state.” Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD) took a different tact, saying, quite bluntly, “It’s senseless and it doesn't need to happen.”
Cuts are expected to hit education hard, putting thousands of teacher and teacher aide jobs at risk. Defense-related jobs aren't exempt with cutbacks planned in military-heavy states like Texas and California. Also on the chopping block? Aid to Hurricane Sandy. If the cuts go through as planned, many states worry that they won’t be able to plug the holes.
While the GOP wonders “What’s the worse that can happen?” the White House claims to have an answer. The White House has released fifty separate reports, outlining the potential damage to each state if the sequestration is allowed to happen. Here is what The White House has to say about our home state (download as PDF):
WASHINGTON IMPACTS
If sequestration were to take effect, some examples of the impacts on Washington this year alone are:
Teachers and Schools: Washington will lose approximately $11,606,000 in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 160 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 11,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 50 fewer schools would receive funding.
Education for Children with Disabilities: In addition, Washington will lose approximately $11,251,000 in funds for about 140 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.
Work-Study Jobs: Around 440 fewer low income students in Washington would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college and around 180 fewer students will get work-study jobs that help them pay for college.
Head Start: Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 1,000 children in Washington, reducing access to critical early education.
Protections for Clean Air and Clean Water: Washington would lose about $3,301,000 in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste. In addition, Washington could lose another $924,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection.
Military Readiness: In Washington, approximately 29,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $173.4 million in total.
Army: Base operation funding would be cut by about $124 million in Washington.
Air Force: Funding for Air Force operations in Washington would be cut by about $3 million.
Navy: Cancel aircraft depot maintenance at Whidbey Island, a demolition project in Bremerton.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution: Washington will lose about $271,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that support law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.
Job Search Assistance to Help those in Washington find Employment and Training: Washington will lose about $661,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning around 24,510 fewer people will get the help and skills they need to find employment.
Child Care: Up to 800 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care, which is also essential for working parents to hold down a job.
Vaccines for Children: In Washington around 2,850 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and Hepatitis B due to reduced funding for vaccinations of about $195,000.
Public Health: Washington will lose approximately $642,000 in funds to help upgrade its ability to respond to public health threats including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events. In addition, Washington will lose about $1,740,000 in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, resulting in around 3800 fewer admissions to substance abuse programs. And the Washington State Department of Health will lose about $174,000 resulting in around 4,300 fewer HIV tests.
STOP Violence Against Women Program: Washington could lose up to $143,000 in funds that provide services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 500 fewer victims being served.
Nutrition Assistance for Seniors: Washington would lose approximately $1,053,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors.
For more information about the President’s plan to “fix” the sequestration, you can watch the full video of the President’s speech here:
You can check out the reports for other states here (each report downloads as a pdf):
North Sound South Sound
2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212 33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
Everett, WA 98201 Federal Way, WA 98003
425.339.2400 253.237.0751
fax 425.259.1099 fax 253.237.0701
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