LITTLE ROCK — The White House compiled the following estimates from federal agencies and its own budget office. The numbers are based only on the $85 billion in cuts for this fiscal year, from March-September, that are set to take effect Friday. As to whether states could move money around to cover shortfalls, the White House said that depends on state budget structures and the specific programs.The White House did not have a list of which states or programs might have flexibility.
EDUCATION
Arkansas will lose about $5.9 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting about 80 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 10,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 30 fewer schools would receive funding.
About $5.6 million in funds for about 70 teachers, aides, and staff members who help children with disabilities.
About 380 fewer low-income students in Arkansas would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college, and about 110 fewer students will get work-study jobs that help them pay for college.
Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 600 children in Arkansas, reducing access to critical early education.
ENVIRONMENT
About $1.6 million in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste.
About $842,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection.
DEFENSE
About 4,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by about $19.2 million in total.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
About $159,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that support law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
About $273,000 in funding for job-search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning about 9,850 fewer people will get the help developing employable skills.
CHILD CARE
Up to 200 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care.
About 1,140 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and hepatitis-B because of reduced funding for vaccinations of about $78,000.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Arkansas will lose about $279,000 in funds to help upgrade its ability to respond to public health threats including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological events.
About $660,000 in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, resulting in about 200 fewer admissions to substance-abuse programs. And the Arkansas Department of Health will lose about $84,000 resulting in about 2,100 fewer HIV tests.
STOP Violence Against Women Program could lose up to $62,000 in funds that provide services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 200 fewer victims being served.
Arkansas would lose about $310,000 in funds that provide meals for senior citizens.
Front Section, Pages 3 on 02/25/2013