Why State Reports?
Since entering the White House, the Obama administration has participated in an active campaign to expand federal spending through stimulus. Meanwhile he has avoided making the changes to entitlement programs necessary to make them fiscally stable. Unfortunately this cost has fallen on the backs of our soldiers’ backs through shrinking defense budgets crucial to providing the tools necessary to succeed.
Over the next 10 years, our troops will be forced to deal with $487 billion dollars in cuts and may potentially be faced with another $600 billion if the sequestration mechanism is not prevented, in total a $1 trillion hit.
The sequestration mechanism is tool that was agreed to in the Budget Control Act approved by Congress last July, and went into effect when the Super Committee, also created as part of this legislation failed to agree upon $1.2 trillion in budget savings through spending cuts and new taxes. Sequestration requires mandatory across the board spending cuts in designated governmental agencies. In this instance, the cuts are divided equally between non-defense and defense spending. Unfortunately though, this disproportionately affects our national security, which only accounts for 20% of the federal budget but accounts for 50% of the spending cuts.
These State defense reports show what the economic impact of the $487 billion in defense cuts will be nationally and on a state-by state basis and what further impact an additional $600 billion could have on these economies. The goal is to help communities understand the economic impact of their contribution to our common defense and the lost jobs and revenues they will confront at 12% (what the first part of the Budget Control Act calls for) or 24% (the total economic impact with sequestration included) cuts of defense spending.
What is Included in these Fact Sheets?
The State Reports contain 5 sections.
| I. | Fuller | |
| II. | Gov Contracts Won OR FPDS | |
| III. | OSD DOD Data | |
| IV. | Gov Contracts Won OR FPDS | |
| V. | IBID |
Who are these Fact Sheets For?
The Fact Sheets are for small businesses, manufacturers, the high tech industry and other individuals who need to be ready to work with their communities to brace for these cuts.
We also encourage elected officials, law makers, and concerned citizens to use these documents as part of an informed debate on these policies that hurt the previously mentioned crucial sectors of the economy and damage America’s national security. The policies which enact these cuts replace cutting edge, high technology and stable manufacturing jobs with low-tech and temporary ‘shovel ready’ stimulus projects.
What can I Do With These Fact Sheets?
Concerned citizens should use these documents when writing letters, calling, or speaking in person with their legislators about potential defense cuts. They are also useful to participate in economic impact and local business assessments for Chambers of Commerce and other concerned business leaders when assessing how these changes will affect them. Activists are also encouraged to bring their state fact sheet to Town Hall meetings and distribute them to their networks to be used when discussing defense cuts.