The sequester would be felt deep here in Nevada. The White House issued estimates of various federally funded programs and departments that would be impacted directly.
Nevada stands to lose more than $1.15 million in environmental funding, which is currently used to ensure clean water and air quality to citizens. Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak is on the board of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
“They're potentially very very damaging. what we're looking at now is that a lot of this funding goes for the wetlands park which is our filter going into the lake and any reduction in funds is going to drastically affect the water quality and the ability for the water district for what we can do,” Sisolak said.
Sisolak who is also on the fiscal affairs division for Metro says crime prevention will also take a hit too with programs through Justice Assistance Grants. The White House estimates JAGs would also be cut by more than $180,000 in Nevada.
“For prosecution, drug rehabilitation programs, they are specific grants and programs that are funded with these dollars so if these dollars are eliminated the programs are eliminated,” Sisolak said.
Potential cuts would also eventually trickle down to those out of work. Agencies that help our unemployed would lose about $291,000. That’s money directed to job searching, referrals and placement programs.
Also federal lawmakers say furloughs would likely be ordered, which could majorly impact federal workers at McCarran Airport.
“The FAA would be affected; the air traffic controllers are federal employees as well as the TSA,” said Congressman Steven Horsford.
Also, civilian department of defense employees would be furloughed, cutting gross pay by more than $12 million. Funding for the Air Force in Nevada would be cut by $2 million.
