Last March, the federal government enacted an $85 billion spending cut known as the "sequester." It's taken some time to assess the effects of these cuts, but as the federal fiscal year comes to a close on September 30, new budgets are reflecting spending decreases.
The cuts are having an effect on scientific research. Reports have documented laboratory closings and layoffs, and one significant study showed one-fifth of U.S. scientists have contemplated moving overseas because of the decline in funding.
Current State talks with MSU associate professor in microbiology Rob Britton and MSU Center for Integrative Toxicology director Norbert Kaminski.