Juana Summers talked about some of the ways states were preparing for the “fiscal cliff” and sequestration, focusing in particular on the impact of defense industry cuts on local economies. She responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. 
“Fiscal cliff” referred to the impending tax increases and sequestration budget cuts at the end of 2012 if Congress failed to reach a new budget agreement.*"Sequestration," a legal procedure in which automatic budget cuts are triggered, was agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011.