How Will Sequestration Affect Maryland? O’Malley to Visit Elkridge to Explain

Gov. Martin O’Malley has plans to visit an Elkridge manufacturing business Wednesday where he says he will urge Congress to act against federal sequestration cuts.

O’Malley will be speaking at 10 a.m. at FLIR Systems, 6610 Amberton Dr. in Elkridge, and will also be addressing his thoughts on how the sequester could impact Maryland.

O’Malley’s office said FLIR was an “advanced manufacturing business that employs middle-skill workers.”

Without action from Congress, the sequester would go into effect automatically on March 1, reducing spending in a number of areas, including education, the environment, health, military and law enforcement, the White House said.

“Federal sequestration can hinder Maryland’s ability to create jobs, and provide vital services to the state’s most vulnerable families and children,” according to a release from O’Malley’s office.

In Maryland, the White House said if sequestration were to take effect, it would include funding cuts to teachers and schools, work-study jobs on college campuses, Head Start programs and environmental funding.

A White House report also said sequestration in Maryland could mean furloughs for 46,000 civilian Department of Defense employees, reducing gross pay by around $353.7 million.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett warned the effects could be particularly harsh for Maryland's largest jurisdiction. 

“The impact on Montgomery County from the sequestration could undo the economic gains we’ve made as the County and our country have begun to emerge from the financial crisis,” said Leggett. 

“Montgomery County has 47,000 federal workers and thousands of businesses that contract with the federal government—all of whom will be directly affected if Congress does not act. The loss to our County of millions of dollars in revenue could plunge us back into a severe slowdown causing budget shortfalls and a stagnant economy.”