Look Who it Was Random video

Local Impact of Federal Budget Cuts (Sequestration)

205 views · Published 28 February 2013 · 3:48 · Indexed 10 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

By Jerry Askin  On March 1st, the $85 billion cuts in federal spending are expected to take effect. The White House has released state by state estimates of the impact of the so called sequester. We focused on early education in Georgia.  It's a major item on the federal budget that may be cut if the so called sequester actually happens.For kids like 1-year old Haven at Ringgold Head Start, she may not have the same friends and teachers to learn and play with.It would be really devastating, how do you pick which 90 children to cut? Rebecca Fulgham oversees the Head Start programs in Northwest Georgia.If the so called sequester happens on Friday, of the six northwest Georgia counties in our viewing area, nearly $700,000 would be cut from the 23 Head Start centers. That's about a 10% cut of their budget. It'll mean 90 fewer spots for children, and some 15 teachers will have to be cut.We're just keeping our fingers crossed that it's not going to happen, says Fulgham.This would compare to a whopping 1700 fewer Head Start spots available for children in Georgia, and 1200 spots in Tennessee. Teacher Julie Adams knows firsthand how vital early education is to kids.It's a good foundation, it helps everyone develop into the adults they need to be, says Adams.And though she has some fears about her own job, her main concern is making sure every child receives the education she says they need. It would be devastating to see them not have what they need, and the services that we provide, says Adams.We'll just have to look at where the services are, where the children are, where the greatest need is, says Fulgham.The cuts could also impact funds for law enforcement, public health, military, teachers, schools, and many more.For a full list of proposed cuts by state scheduled for March 1st, head over to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/sequestration-state-impact/

More from this channel