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Looming Sequester Could Hit Texas Hard

It may not be a common word but sequestration has been all over the news in the last couple of weeks.

Whether you know exactly what sequestration is or not, most people agree it's not a positive thing.

According to a report released by the White House, unless Congress takes action the country will experience $85 billion in automatic budget cuts that will take effect nationwide March 1.

"It does create a sense of uncertainty in the schools. We know large cuts could be forthcoming," Debbie Ratcliff, the director of media relations for the Texas Education Association, says.

Texas public schools stand to lose $167 million.

"These are federal funds it will impact low income children, special education children and children whose primary language is something other than English," Ratcliff says.

Projected cuts:

• 930 teacher and aide jobs
• 83,730 fewer people may get the help they need to find a job
• 5,000 children would be eliminated from Head Start.
• 9,000 fewer children would receive vaccines for diseases.
• Funding for HIV testing
• Funding for public health involvement in emergency response

Dr. Phil Huang, Medical Director for Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services, says his organization could lose funding for response for H1N1 and pandemic flu and vaccinations.

Huang says another example is during hurricanes to set up medical special needs shelters for people evacuating from the coast.