by Alex Gronke
Remember the sequester? That's the 10-year, $1.2 trillion, across-the-board federal spending cut set up as a doomsday scenario aimed at forcing Republicans and Democrats to reach a deal after the debt limit showdown of 2012. There was no bargain, and in 2013 the first $85 billion disappeared from the federal budget.
With $100 billion slated to be cut in 2014, Rep. George Miller released a report Thursday attempting to show what the sequester means for residents of Contra Costa County. Citing the work of economists and the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, Rep. Miller claims that the sequester is a drag on GDP, and offers specific consequences to poor people in Contra Costa County:
- $46 million less in funding to Medicare providers.
- 600 children in Head Start are facing a nine-week reduction in the school year.
- Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa County is serving 200 fewer meals per day.
- 50 fewer young adults received workforce experience through subsidized summer jobs for youth.
- 137 homeless individuals, or 50 families lose access to emergency shelter housing.
- 512 fewer families are provided affordable housing units.
- 6,800 families face steep increases in their monthly housing payments.
- Tens of thousands of families who qualify for affordable housing vouchers will continue to go without rental assistance.
- 25 fewer out-of-work seniors are able to receive on the job training and skills.
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