Thanks to a $16.6 trillion national debt, and government failure to agree on a budget since 2009, it's looking increasingly like the government is about to impose on itself $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts. So, as part of its strategy to pressure Republicans into accepting new revenues as part of a deal to prevent the sequester from taking effect, the White House released new reports that outline the ugly effects those cuts would have in individual states.
Follow this link to the Michigan report, summarized below.
In brief, unless Congress acts by March 1st, a series of automatic budget cuts—called the “sequester”—will take effect. Another fiscal cliff looms, and according to the White House, if sequestration takes effect, some examples of the impacts on Michigan this year alone are:
Michigan will lose approximately $22 million in funding for primary and secondary education for our kids. In addition, Michigan will lose approximately $20.3 million in funds for teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities. Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 2,300 children.
Approximately 10,000 civilian Department of Defense employees could be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $67.7 million in total. Army base operation funding would be cut by about $14 million
Michigan would lose about $5.9 million in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste. In addition, Michigan could lose another $1.5 million in grants for fish and wildlife protection.
Michigan will lose about $1.7 million in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement.
Michigan will lose approximately $1 million in funds to help upgrade its ability to respond to public health threats including infectious diseases, and natural disasters. In addition, the state will lose about $2.9 million in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, and funding for child immunization vaccinations will be cut by about $300,000.
As well, Michigan would lose approximately $1.8 million in funds that provide meals for seniors.
Earlier this week, Detroit topped Forbes magazine’s list of America’s most miserable cities. While this area’s problems are nothing new, the misery will only increase thanks to a president and congress that can get nothing done.
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