JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri could lose $95 million in federal funding for state programs, and an even greater amount in defense spending, if government-wide spending cuts take effect as scheduled later this week.
President Barack Obama has been highlighting the potential effect of the so-called "sequester" to spur Congress to embrace an alternative deficit-reduction plan. Obama wants a mixture of spending cuts and additional tax revenues while Republicans want to focus on cuts.
Budget figures indicate about one-fourth of Missouri's funding cuts would fall on education, with a $12 million loss to schools serving low-income students and an additional $12 million cut to special education.
The White House says funding for military bases in Missouri could be cut $70 million, and civilian defense employees could lose $40 million in pay through furloughs.