Dependence on Military Spending Leaves Some States Vulnerable to Defense Cuts

It's never wise to rely on Uncle Sugar

The White House on Sunday (February 24) delivered a state-by-state laundry list of multibillion-dollar federal spending cuts that would occur if sequestration takes effect on Friday.

If Congress and the White House cannot reach an agreement to avert the automatic cuts, a broad swath of government services would be reduced: law enforcement, food safety, schools, national parks, health services and the military. More specifically: Kids sent home from Head Start, airline passengers stuck at choked security checkpoints, unemployed people turned away from job counseling. (See Stateline graphic)

The cuts would hit states reliant on defense spending especially hard, with 8 percent of all military spending set to be reduced over the rest of the fiscal year. Tens of thousands of civilian Defense Department employees would be furloughed. Five percent of all other federal spending would be cut.