What Would Sequestration Mean for Texas?

[TexasTowelie]

Sequestration is the term for a series of mandatory budget cuts to federal programs, totaling $1.2 trillion in the U.S. over 10 years, that would go into effect March 1 if Congress doesn't find a way to trim that same amount with a deficit reduction bill.

Sequestration stems from the Budget Control Act, passed in 2011 by Congress. It was a mechanism designed to force the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction to reach a compromise on long-term debt reduction plans. When the committee failed to reach a deal, sequestration was triggered. Originally sequestration was set to begin on Jan. 1, but it was pushed back to March 1 as part of the fiscal cliff deal President Obama signed into law in January. The deal avoided economists' predictions of an economic recession and a 9 percent unemployment rate, according to CNN.

According to a Pew Report, federal spending represents 5.4 percent of the Texas economy. If sequestration were to happen, Texas would suffer from massive cuts to many federally funded programs the state depends on to serve Texans in the areas of health, education and defense.

At least one lawmaker appears worried about potential negative effects of sequestration on the state. State Rep. James White, R-Hillister, has filed House Bill 568, which would require Texas to study the effects of cutting financial ties with the federal government.

More at http://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/12/texplainer-how-could-sequestration-affect-texas/ .

[Warpy]

1. "Cutting financial ties with the Federal government?

Instead of losing 0.4% of the budget, they'd prefer to lose the whole 4%?

What they should be looking at is the "defense" budget, which has morphed into an imperial military budget, making the whole planet safe for multinational corporations.

That's what we can no longer afford, especially with the wealthy dug in and refusing to support the one thing that benefits them disproportionately.

[kentauros]

2. So, in order to stop financial cuts to the state from the feds,

he wants to broaden the cuts?

[TexasTowelie]

3. Yes, he is about as bright as a match flickering in the wind.