The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

This January, core government functions such as scientific research, education, public safety, and environmental protection will face deep cuts under budget sequestration.

If lawmakers cannot put politics aside to avoid continued cuts to these programs, our nation’s security, global competitiveness, and economic growth will be compromised. Teachers will be taken out of classrooms, cutting-edge research will be stifled, and conservation of America’s natural resources will be diminished.

Experts agree these essential jobs and services are not the drivers of our nation’s debt, and these federal programs have already done more than their part to reduce the deficit--cut to levels not seen since the Eisenhower presidency.

I urge the President and members of Congress to work together to find a balanced approach to address the deficit and to prevent further cuts to science.

Matt Bahm

Spokane