Sequester: Job Losses, Spending Freezes Could Hit Florida

While politicians in Washington, D.C., continue a blame game over who is responsible for the $85 billion in federal spending cuts that automatically kick in this Friday, March 1, if action isn’t taken, state and local politicians are sounding off about the cuts and what they could mean to Temple Terrace and Florida as a whole.

State Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, says the cuts on the federal level could cause Florida to have to freeze spending in some areas.

If the sequester kicks in with across-the-board federal spending cuts, “Florida must immediately look at all our core services and find a way to freeze all other spending until rational minds prevail,” Legg said.

Even so, Legg said he hopes a last-minute fix will be found.

“It is my hope that Congress and the President will realize balancing our national budget is not just our fiscal responsibly but it is our moral responsibility,” Legg said in a statement to Patch. “We cannot keep spending and passing debt to our children and grandchildren.”

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Gov. Rick Scott said he fears the sequester will compromise Florida’s safety while causing many Floridians to lose their jobs.

“The impacts on Florida’s military installations and defense industries will be severe under the meat hammer of sequestration,” Scott said in a statement. “Our immediate concerns include dramatic reductions to our National Guard, which threatens our ability to respond to wildfires this spring and hurricanes this summer.”

Scott went on to say the job losses could be staggering – especially in regard to military-related jobs in the state.

“Estimated defense industry impacts from industry and academic sources include jobs losses from 40,000 to 80,000, and defense spending reductions approaching $1 billion across Florida,” he said. “The Florida National Guard estimates an annual impact of $27.2 million, which includes 986 Florida National Guard employees furloughed for 20% of the remaining year ($7.3 million in lost wages).”

Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson agrees the cuts will have negative impacts on Florida, its residents and its economy.

“Sequestration – or, across-the-board budget cuts – were never intended to happen,” Nelson said. “And the main reason we don’t have a solution yet is because some in Washington are doing a Kabuki dance.  I think the Senate should pass the $110 billion plan we put on the table last week to avert these impending mandatory budget cuts.  Then we can use that to work out a compromise with the House.”

Tampa Bay area residents are also sounding off about the possible spending cuts.

Temple Terrace Patch reader JS had this to say:

How can they be cuts when we are borrowing 47 cents on every dollar? Get back to me on the so called cuts when the clown in the White House balances the budget. THEN THEY ARE CUTS. Until then is simply reduced borrowing. Quit squandering my children's national inheritance to the tune of over a trillion a year. Ridiculous.

Want to learn more about the sequester? Be sure to read What is the Sequester Anyway? Interested in learning more about what funding cuts are likely in Florida? Check out this story: Funding Cuts are Coming Florida’s Way.

What are your thoughts about the sequester, Temple Terrace? We want to hear your opinions! Just comment below.

See also:

• Sequester in Florida: What Do You Think About the $85 Billion in Cuts?
• Funding Cuts are Coming Florida’s Way
• What is the Sequester Anyway?