What the Sequester Could Mean for Pennsylvania

The White House released new reports on Sunday that outline the effects that $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts would have on individual states.

The Huffington Post reports that the reports were released as part of a strategy to pressure Republicans into accepting new revenues as part of a deal to prevent the sequester from taking effect.

According to the White House's report, Impact of March 1st Cuts on Middle Class Families, Jobs and Economic Security (which can be found in the pdf section of this article), impacts would include:

• Teachers and Schools: Pennsylvania will lose approximately $26.4 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 360 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 29,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 90 fewer schools would receive funding.

• Education for Children with Disabilities: In addition, Pennsylvania will lose approximately $21.4 million in funds for about 260 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.

• Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution: Pennsylvania will lose about $509,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that support law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.