O’Malley to Visit Elkridge to Talk About Sequestration Budget

Gov. Martin O’Malley has plans to visit an Elkridge manufacturing business Wednesday where he says he will urge Congress to act against federal sequestration cuts.

O’Malley will be speaking at 10 a.m. at FLIR Systems, 6610 Amberton Dr. in Elkridge, and will also be addressing his thoughts on how the sequester could impact Maryland.

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O’Malley’s office said FLIR was an “advanced manufacturing business that employs middle-skill workers.”

Without action from Congress, the sequester would go into effect automatically on March 1, reducing spending in a number of areas, including education, the environment, health, military and law enforcement, the White House said.

“Federal sequestration can hinder Maryland’s ability to create jobs, and provide vital services to the state’s most vulnerable families and children,” according to a release from O’Malley’s office.

In Maryland, the White House said if sequestration were to take effect, it would include funding cuts to teachers and schools, work-study jobs on college campuses, Head Start programs and environmental funding.

A White House report also said sequestration in Maryland could mean furloughs for 46,000 civilian Department of Defense employees, reducing gross pay by around $353.7 million.

Howard County leaders also said sequestration cut threats are worrying local businesses.

“The federal government is a major employer and a huge contributor to the local economy on every level,” said Maureen Thomas, executive director of GovConnects at the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone from the dry cleaners to the local schools, everyone is going to be affected by this.”

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Sequestration: We Have a Choice