Even though the failure of the Supercommittee to agree on debt reduction has no immediate policy consequences (the $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts won't take effect until 2013), December is still shaping up to be a brutal month in the nation's capital.
Funding for the federal government expires on December 16th, meaning a continuing resolution will probably be adopted before the actual budget is finalized. The President and Congressional Democrats are also pushing for enactment of elements of the President's $447 billion jobs plan while Republicans are continuing their call for cuts in federal spending.
These are the very entrenched positions that led to failure of the deficit committee, positions that are likely to be repeated over and over again in the run-up to the 2012 election.
This why, as these discussions continue, it remains vital for local officials to ensure their voices are heard by adopting a resolution and speaking with their congressional representatives and Senators Stabenow and Levin on the need for a balanced approach to addressing the deficit and future budget decisions.
deficit reduction resolution_members_november 2011.docx (17.30 kb)
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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