BILL CRAWFORD: Are state leaders ready for big cuts in federal funds?
In addition to transfer payments, funding for Mississippi’s federal employees and federal contracts would be at risk. The National Priorities Project reported that 53,720 people in Mississippi worked for the federal government in 2014 bringing in about $3.9 billion in federal funds. The think tank also reported the federal government paid about $3.8 billion to vendors to perform contracts ranging from supplying the military with weapons to building websites.
The Pew Charitable Trusts estimates 32.9 percent of Mississippi gross domestic product (GDP) comes from federal spending.
Surely state leaders are not ignorant of the economic risks posed by proposed cuts and are readying plans to cope with what Washington decides?
They owe it to taxpayers to reveal their readiness and plan details.
MBJ
5/14/17
Magnolia Tribune
