What Sequestration Would Cost Kentucky

The cuts mandated by the Obama Administration, called sequestration, will go into effect on March 1 if a budget deal isn't reached by Congress. If implemented, the mandatory cuts would remain in effect through September. Here's a look at how the cuts could affect Kentucky.

Kentucky Defense

Since Kentucky has a strong and large military presence in it, let's look at that first. Figures show that approximately 11,000 civilian U.S. Department of Defense employees would be furloughed in in Kentucky. That means a loss in overall pay of close to $54.4 million.

As for operations to run the Army bases, that funding would be slashed by $122 million. According to the Army, about 15,000 job in the state could be impacted by the cuts.

Kentucky Education 
 
Figures released show that education in Kentucky would be strained from the cuts, with close to $11.8 million in funding for primary and secondary education removed. Estimates are around 160 teacher and aide jobs could be put at risk.

As a result, approximately 21,000 students in Kentucky would no long be served, including children with disabilities and low income students.

Broken down, that would mean 1,710 low-income students would no longer receive aid for college, and close to 470 students would no long be able to use work-study jobs to help pay for their college educations.

Concerning disabilities, an estimated $7.7 million would be lost, resulting in about 90 teacher, teacher aid, and other staff losing funding.

Kentucky Health

Funds for emergency health threats would be cut to the tune of $414,000, which would include dealing with natural disasters, infectious diseases, and other similar events.

As for substance abuse aid, close to $1 million in grants would no longer be available to treat patients, which is estimated to cause about 1,200 less people being admitted into programs. That last figure is listed as admissions, so it may be less than 1,200 people, but may include the same people being admitted more than once.

Kentucky Law enforcement

For law enforcement, where Justice Assistance Grants are used for courts, corrections, education, crime prevention, and other services, about $171,000 would be cut. 

Kentucky Environment
 
Approximately $2.1 million in aid for cleaner water and air would be lost. Fish and wildlife protection may lose about $774,000.