Effects of Sequestration on Massachusetts

The White House has released a paper on the impacts that the sequestration cuts would have on Massachusetts should they take effect March 1. These cuts would impact the state's ability to provide education, environmental, and safety services for our residents

The following impacts are taken from the paper:

If sequestration were to take effect, some examples of the impacts on Massachusetts this year alone are:

Teachers and schools: Massachusetts will lose approximately $13.9 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 190 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 20,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 60 fewer schools would receive funding.

Education for Children with Disabilities: In addition, Massachusetts will lose approximately $13.4 million in funds for about 160 teachers, aides, and staff who help children withdisabilities.*

Work-Study Jobs: Around 580 fewer low income students in Massachusetts would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college and around 800 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 1,100 children in Massachusetts, reducing access to critical early education.*

Protections for Clean Air and Clean Water: Massachusetts would lose about $4 million in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste. In addition, Massachusetts could lose another $472,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection.*

Military Readiness: In Massachusetts, approximately 7,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $43.4 million in total.

Army: Base operation funding would be cut by about $8 million in Massachusetts.

Air Force: Funding for Air Force operations in Massachusetts would be cut by about $5 million.*

Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution: Massachusetts will lose about $300,000 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 Massachusetts find Employment and Training: Massachusetts will lose about $787,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning around 26,970 fewer people will get the help and skills they need to find employment.*

Child Care: Up to 500 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 Massachusetts around 2,940 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 $201,000.*

Public Health: Massachusetts will lose approximately $625,000 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, Massachusetts will lose about $1.7 million in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, resulting in around 5,200 fewer admissions to substance abuse programs. And the Massachusetts State Department of Public Health will lose about $367,000 resulting in around 9,200 fewer HIV tests.

STOP Violence Against Women Program: Massachusetts could lose up to $140,000 in funds that provide services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 500 fewer victims being served.*

Nutrition Assistance for Seniors: Massachusetts would lose approximately $535,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors.