Phoenix Mayor Stanton digs in to fight defense budget cuts
Jun 14, 2012, 6:16 AM | Updated: 6:20 am
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is in Orlando, Fla. for the National Conference of Mayors, trying to convince Congress to stop major defense budget cuts to states, including Arizona.
Stanton said, if cuts go through, over $1 trillion would be lost nationwide.
“Because Arizona has, of all the states in the country, the fifth-highest number amount of defense contracts because the aerospace industry is such a key component of our economy, it would have sort of a uniquely devastating impact on our local economy,” he said.
Stanton said he will lead a task force Saturday to find ways to both protect current jobs and create more jobs in Arizona.
“We’re demanding that Congress get to the bargaining table, reach a bipartisan compromise,” Stanton said.