— Automatic spending cuts supported by congress and signed by the president could hit Missouri hard if the automatic sequester takes effect on Friday.
Congress approved $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts last year in a deal to raise the nation’s debt limit. The cuts would take effect over 10 years, cutting spending annually by more than $100 billion.
The plan, the Office of Management and Budget predicts, would require cuts of about I’ve percent from non-defense programs and eight percent from defense programs. The Obama administration launched a public push this week discussing the state-by-state impact, including billions in impact to Missouri.
More than $1 billion will be cut from Missouri’s large military foot print, including $56 million for Army base operation funding, and $14 million in cuts Air Force base operations. The sequester also includes a $40.3 million furlough plan that would effect 8,000 civilian employees.
According to their numbers, the state’s education system could also take a hit. The sequester would more than $20 billion to primary and secondary education, as well as funding for education for children with disabilities.
“These cuts are wrong. They’re not smart. They’re not fair. They’re nothing but a self-inflicted wound,” Pres. Obama said during a speech in Virginia on Tuesday, during an other stop in a public campaign against the cuts.
Republicans, including Rep. Ann Wagner, St. Louis, believe the president should have instead stayed in Washington to meet with lawmakers about a solution to quell the pain.
“Instead of traveling a few miles to meet with Harry Reid and the Democratic-controlled Senate to replace his sequester, the President has traveled over 5,226 miles around the country dividing the American people,” she said. “I truly hope the President is ready to put partisan rhetoric aside and finally lead the American people.”
