Political Brief: 2/27/13

by Michael Sarko
- The Capitol Hill Times -

This summer, the United States Marines will descend upon Seattle. Marine Week, beginning August 5 and ending August 11 (in keeping with a promise by President Obama to withdraw all troops and allow Seattleites to govern themselves), will give people the opportunity to learn more about the servicepeople and technology of the U.S. Marine Corps. More info about specific events will be posted on the Marine Week website.

The federal budget sequester is looming at the end of this week and Washington, like all states, is bracing for major cuts to federally funded programs. Education funding for the state is set to lose more than $11 million, resulting in destabilization for many teaching positions and low-income schools. Environmental protection funding will lose more than $4 million and approximately 29,000 defense workers will be put on furlough. Among many other cuts, the American Indian community is set to see between 20 and 30 percent reductions in their budgets for everything from housing to energy assistance.

Hope you weren’t too excited for the Parks and Green Spaces Levy public hearing on March 18, because it has been postponed. No word yet on when the advisory board plans on reconvening, but they still have $8 million to put toward community projects in 2013.