Politics & Government
New York Feeling the First Effects of Federal Sequestration
Budget cuts already are hampering the New York City Housing Authority and the Coast Guard.
The effects of the federal sequestration already is trickling down into the everyday lives of hundreds of thousands of New York City area residents with budget cuts already hampering the New York City Housing Authority, the Coast Guard and other city agencies, The Wall Street Journal reported.
President Barack Obama and Congress' failure to reach a deficit deduction agreement at the end of last year resulted in $1 trillion in automatic federal cuts during the next eight years across the country.
For example, the New York City Housing Authority is losing 11 percent of its $2 billion budget – about $205 million, this year – resulting in the possible layoff of 500 employees the closure of hundreds of community centers.
City residents can look forward to a dirtier, more mosquito-infested Fire Island National Seashore. And hundreds of Navy employees are going without one day's salary every week—for at least 11 weeks.
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City Council members said they want the city's budget to make up for some of the federal shortfall at the housing authority, as the problem will worsen across every city agency if something is not done.
"We're going to see every agency coming before us if this does not get resolved," said City Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, who represents parts of the Bronx and Manhattan.
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