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New data reveals how much sequestration could cost Va.

Posted at 11:35 PM, Feb 24, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-24 23:57:50-05

RICHMOND, VA (WTVR) -- A massive federal budget cut known as sequestration is scheduled to take place at the end of the week -- and Virginia will be one of the hardest hit states.

The White House released Sunday some of the anticipated cuts that would take place if Congress does not reach a compromise.

Teachers and Schools: Virginia will lose about $14 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 190 teacher and aide jobs at risk.

In addition, about 14,000 fewer students would be served and about 40 fewer schools would receive funding.

Education for Children with Disabilities: Virginia will lose approximately $13.9
million in funds for about 170 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.

Work-Study Jobs: Around 2,120 fewer low income students in Virginia would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college and around 840 fewer students will get work-study jobs that help them pay for college.

Head Start: Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 1,000 children in Virginia, reducing access to critical early education.

Protections for Clean Air and Clean Water: Virginia would lose about $2,997,000 in
environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste.

Plus, Virginia could lose another $826,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection.

Military Readiness: In Virginia, approximately 90,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $648.4 million in total.

  • Army: Base operation funding would be cut by about $146 million in Virginia.
  • Air Force: Funding for Air Force operations in Virginia would be cut by about $8 million.
  • Navy: Cancel the maintenance of 11 ships in Norfolk, defer four projects at Dahlgren, Oceana, and Norfolk, and delay other modernization and demolition projects.

Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution: Virginia will lose about $276,000 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.

Job Search Assistance to Help those in Virginia find Employment and Training: Virginia will lose about $348,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning around 18,390 fewer people will get the help and skills they need to find employment.

Child Care: Up to 400 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care, which is also essential for working parents to hold down a job.

Vaccines for Children: In Virginia around 3,530 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and Hepatitis B due to reduced funding for vaccinations of about $241,000.