U.S. Rep. Gary Peters Pushes for Bipartisan Agreement to Prevent Job-Killing Sequestration Cuts
Press Release
Today U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, who voted against sequestration, urged bipartisan cooperation to avoid the job-killing cuts to important programs in Michigan. While sequestration would damage virtually all government programs, Peters singled out how these cuts are projected to hurt Michigan's students and teachers. According to White House figures, if sequestration goes through on Friday, it's estimated that nearly 540 Michigan teachers and support staff jobs would be in jeopardy while 29,790 Michigan students could lose access to important educational programs this year.
"If the gridlock in Washington continues, hundreds of Michigan teachers and support staff could lose their jobs this year," said U.S. Congressman Gary Peters. "I'm urging members of both parties to put our differences aside and solve this problem because we're not talking about some abstract concept, we're talking about thousands of Michigan students potentially being denied the support they need to grow and succeed. Even though I voted against sequestration, I'm committed to reaching across the aisle to prevent this self inflicted Washington wound."
How the Sequestration will hurt Michigan's Students and Teachers:
If sequestration were to take effect, here's how it could impact Michigan this year alone:
Teachers and Schools: Michigan will lose approximately $22 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 300 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 25,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 80 fewer schools would receive funding.
Education for Children with Disabilities: In addition, Michigan will lose approximately $20.3 million in funds for about 240 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.
Work-Study Jobs: Around 2,490 fewer low income students in Michigan would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college and around 1,300 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 2,300 children in Michigan, reducing access to critical early education
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