San Diego Resolution Opposes Defense Cuts

A San Diego City Council resolution opposing looming cuts in defense spending is set to go before the Economic Development and Strategies Committee on Monday, according to documents placed online today.

The resolution notes the economic impact of the military on the region before it concludes with a gently worded call to action.

"Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the City Council of the city of San Diego, that the City Council recognizes the importance of San Diego's military sector to the well-being of San Diego's economy and endorses local efforts to raise awareness about the negative impact of spending cuts on the Department of Defense budget."

Congressional leaders and President Barack Obama resolved a dispute over raising the federal debt limit last year by ordering automatic across-the- board spending cuts to begin on Jan. 3, 2013, unless a congressional committee reduces spending or raises revenue by around $1.5 trillion. The committee members are not close to such a deal.

If the spending reductions, called "sequestration," go into effect, nearly $500 billion of the cuts will come from the Pentagon's budget over the next 10 years. At a news conference earlier this week, Mayor Jerry Sanders said spending cuts in other areas will also have negative consequences for San Diego.

The San Diego Military Advisory Council reported last month that defense spending in San Diego is around $20 billion this year, with $8 billion going directly into salaries. About one in four local jobs rely in some way on military spending, according to the study, which will be presented at the committee meeting.

—City News Service