SAMPLE RESOLUTION
OPPOSING FURTHER CUTS TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT
FURTHER IMPACT CORE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND REGIONAL PROGRAMS
("SEQUESTRATION")
WHEREAS, last year President Obama and congressional leaders reached an agreement to raise the debt
ceiling by $2.1 trillion and reduce spending by the same amount; and,
WHEREAS, this agreement was enacted by Congress and signed into law (PL 112-25) by President Obama in
August, 2011; and,
WHEREAS, PL 112-25 instituted annual caps on non-defense discretionary spending that are designed to
reduce the deficit by $935 billion over the next ten years; and,
WHEREAS, PL 112-95 called for an additional $1.2 trillion in cuts to discretionary spending, “sequestration,” to
be spread over the next ten years beginning in FY 2013, and split evenly between defense ($600 billion) and
non-defense ($600 billion) discretionary spending; and,
WHEREAS, sequestration is scheduled to be implemented in March 2013 (as required by HR 8, the American
Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012); and,
WHEREAS, the spending levels imposed by sequestration would lead to non-defense discretionary spending
levels that would cripple or eliminate core local government programs; and,
WHEREAS, domestic, discretionary programs, which are only 12 percent of the federal annual budget, are
critical to the ability of local governments and regions to carry out their responsibilities as service providers for
both the federal and state governments; and,
WHEREAS, local governments have experienced reduced revenue streams due to decreased taxes (primarily
property and sales) and major reductions in state financial assistance, while at the same time facing an
increased demand for services; and,
WHEREAS, local governments of all sizes and in all parts of the nation have been forced to institute significant
layoffs, furloughs and service reductions, which could continue for several years to come; and,
WHEREAS, federal investment in state, local and regional infrastructure and non-defense discretionary
programs produces jobs, promotes local economic opportunities and leverages significant non-federal funds;
and,
WHEREAS, most non-partisan budget experts and economists agree that eliminating the budget deficit will
require a balanced approach that includes reforms to the mandatory spending programs that make up the bulk
of the budget, increased revenue and reasonable discretionary spending caps; and,
WHEREAS, deficit reduction should not be accomplished by shifting costs to states and local governments,
imposing unfunded mandates, or pre‐empting local government programs or taxing authority;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the INSERT LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL/REGIONAL PLANNING
ORG REPRESENTATIVE of the INSERT CITY/COUNTY/REGION/ORGANIZATION this INSERT DATE that
the INSERT CITY/COUNTY/REGION/ORGANIZATION opposes sequestration; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the INSERT CITY/COUNTY/REGION/ORGANIZATION opposes further cuts
to discretionary spending that further impact core local government programs; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the INSERT CITY/COUNTY/REGION/ORGANIZATION calls upon President
Obama and Congress to permanently avert sequestration and craft a balanced approach to deficit elimination
that shares the burden evenly, does not disproportionately harm national economic growth by shifting costs to
local governments or harm national defense.