Federal sequestration cuts loom over state budget

On Friday, $85 billion in federal spending will be cut if President Obama and Congress can’t reach a deal to stave off the “sequestration” cuts. The cuts would have a broad impact nationally and would hit Florida’s economy hard, throwing off current revenue projections from state economists. Gov. Rick Scott’s office cites a study from the Center for Regional Analysis, a Washington public policy research group, predicting 40,000 jobs lost and a $3.35 billion reduction in gross state product. A release from the White House emphasizes cuts to social programs such as early learning, vaccines for children and unemployment assistance. The Federal Aviation Administration released its plan to handle the cuts this past Friday, which would trigger 90-minute delays for flights to large airports such as those servicing New York and Chicago. State economists have predicted a surplus of $436.8 million for the 2013-2014 fiscal year -- the first projected surplus in three years -- without taking into account the federal cuts. Amy Baker, the state’s chief economist said the paring of defense spending would cost the state jobs from the federal government and private defense contractors, and take more than $2.7 billion out of Florida’s economy. “Obviously the biggest hit is directly to the economy. We have a lot of defense contractors in Florida, a lot of government contracts,” Baker said. Even if the Friday deadline comes without a deal, Congress and President Obama could still pass legislation within the next month to avert the cuts before the effects are felt by federal agencies. The high drama, though, is already causing consternation among Florida’s elected officials, who must craft a budget amid federal fiscal uncertainty.

http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=31736356

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/27/3256381/federal-budget-cuts-would-hit.html

http://members.jacksonville.com/news/premium-news/2013-02-26/story/florida-braces-sequester-cuts#

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130227/NEWS01/302270023

With Virginia shipyard as backdrop, Obama warns again on cuts

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/us/politics/obama-takes-budget-warnings-to-shipbuilder.html

Austerity kills government jobs as cuts to budgets loom

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/business/as-budget-cuts-loom-austerity-kills-off-government-jobs.html

Mass release of immigrants is tied to impending cuts

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/us/immigrants-released-ahead-of-automatic-budget-cuts.html

The human costs of sequester

http://www.thenation.com/blog/173103/human-costs-sequester

Teacher furloughs among Volusia's cost-saving plans

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130226/NEWS/302269992/1040?Title=Teacher-furloughs-among-Volusia-s-cost-saving-plans

Millions in cuts stand to hit neediest Palm Beach students the hardest, officials say

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local-education/millions-in-cuts-stand-to-hit-neediest-palm-beach-/nWbDb/

Feds finalize pact with Palm Beach schools to end bias in discipline, registration policies

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local-education/justice-department-finalizes-pact-with-pbc-school-/nWbJt/

St. Johns Schools: Frustrated with lawmakers "running out the clock"

http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/st-johns-schools-frustrated-lawmakers-running-out-/nWbPx/

Proper spending on education

http://www.ocala.com/article/20130227/OPINION01/130229730/1008/OPINION?Title=Editorial-Proper-spending-on-education

Brevard School Board hears, considers new budget ideas

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130227/NEWS13/302270024?source=nletter-top5

Heckuva job, reformers!

http://dianeravitch.net/2013/02/27/heckuva-job-reformers/

Jeb Bush’s misleading anti-public school, anti-teacher spew in Texas

http://bobsidlethoughtsandmusings.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/jeb-bushs-misleading-anti-public-school-anti-teacher-spew-in-texas/

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TX_TEXAS_BUSH_FATHER_AND_SON_FLOL-?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-02-26-22-37-12

$10,000 bachelor's degrees may benefit few students

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-florida-colleges-10000-bachelors-degree-20130226,0,3658074.story

Adjuncts remain key at Edison State College

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130227/NEWS0104/302270027/1006/

USF merits Scott's support

http://www2.tbo.com/news/opinion/2013/feb/27/naopino1-usf-merits-scotts-support-ar-644285/

Show me the money: GOP's outsourcing of state government

http://www.bakercountypress.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2458:show-me-the-money-gops-outsourcing-in-state-government&catid=75:opinion&Itemid=100

Florida shows why nation still need key part of Voting Rights Act

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/editorial-florida-shows-why-nation-still-need-key-/nWbJk/

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-keep-sharp-watch-on-voting-rights/1276676

Florida's consumer confidence drops again

http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=31736914

http://news.ufl.edu/2013/02/26/cc0213/

Federal court rejects Florida's welfare drug-testing

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/federal-court-blocks-florida-drug-test-law-but-gov/nWbF9/

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/court-upholds-injunction-on-drug-testing-florida-welfare-recipients/1276670

http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=31735789

Bondi criticizes “surrender” on Medicaid expansion

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/pam-bondi-criticizes-surrender-on-medicaid-expansion/2106562

Scott in cross hairs of his own party

http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/1229/article/p2p-74587294/

Poll: Scott no pushover vs. Crist in Florida

http://www.politico.com//story/2013/02/poll-rick-scott-no-pushover-vs-charlie-crist-in-florida-88134.html

Gaetz seeks a clarification on nullification
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/sen-gaetz-seeks-a-clarification-on-nullification/2106563

Critical of federal pensions, Nugent draws handsome retirement

http://fcir.org/2013/02/26/critical-of-federal-pensions-rich-nugent-draws-handsome-retirement-from-florida-taxpayers/