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Last updated on Friday, March 1, 2013
(UNDATED) - Lawmakers must come to an agreement today before billions of dollars are automatically cut off from the federal government.
The White House calls the proposed cuts "Cinderella cuts" because they will be put off as close to midnight Friday as possible.
And with the deadline for the $85-billion cut looming, state agencies are still in the dark about how the cuts would affect them specifically.
Many agencies that receive funding say they're still not sure of how soon they will see a reduction, how much money they would lose and how they would handle the cuts.
We do know already of furloughs to government employees, and we know that includes those whose jobs are to protect you. And we know the federal courts are among those facing five-to-eight-percent cuts across the board.
A U.S. District Judge says that, unlike other agencies, they have no discretionary spending to cut. That means salaries could be cut. Public defenders may not get paid for their work. Jurors would not get paid. And offenders released from prison would have no supervision.
Prosecutors are going to be furloughed within a month. As a result, civil and criminal cases could be delayed.
The longer the cuts are in effect, the bigger the impact.
The defense contractors at places like Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane are also facing furloughs of one day without pay every two weeks.
Some 150 special needs teachers in Indiana could lose their jobs.
And funding for medical research and money raised at events like the now-canceled Indianapolis Air Show, all have an impact on the economy.
"The cuts will definitely hurt the economy in the short term," said University of Indianapolis economist Matt Will. "My estimate is it will be one-half percent of a GDP drop as a result of this. But the economy probably was going to grow more than that, anyway, so it doesn't look like it's going to cause a recession. But we will feel a little bit of pain."
While President Obama and key lawmakers are still debating, agencies are keeping close tabs on the debate.
According to the White House, the following cuts will take place in Indiana as a result of the sequester.
Teachers and Schools:
Indiana will lose approximately $13.8 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 190 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition, about 12,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 50 fewer schools would receive funding.
Education for Children with Disabilities:
Indiana will lose approximately $12.4 million in funds for about 150 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.
Work-Study Jobs:
Around 2,170 fewer low income students would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college and around 1,020 fewer students will get work-study jobs that help them pay for college.
Head Start:
Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 1,000 children, reducing access to critical early education.
Protections for Clean Air and Clean Water:
Indiana would lose about $3.3 million in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste. In addition, Indiana could lose another $739,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection.
Military Readiness:
Approximately 11,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $64.4 million in total.
Army: Base operation funding would be cut by about $1.7 million.
Air Force: Funding for Air Force operations would be cut by about $7 million.
Navy: Scheduled Blue Angels shows in Indianapolis and Evansville could be canceled.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution:
Indiana will lose about $262,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that support law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.
Job Search Assistance to Help those in Indiana find Employment and Training:
Indiana will lose about $683,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning around 24,290 fewer people will get the help and skills they need to find employment.
Child Care:
Up to 600 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care, which is also essential for working parents to hold down a job.
Vaccines for Children:
Around 2,770 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and Hepatitis B due to reduced funding for vaccinations of about $189,000.
Public Health:
Indiana will lose approximately $619,000 in funds to help upgrade its ability to respond to public health threats including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events.
In addition, Indiana will lose about $1.7 million in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, resulting in around 1,100 fewer admissions to substance abuse programs.
The Indiana State Department of Health will lose about $146,000 resulting in around 3,700 fewer HIV tests.
STOP Violence Against Women Program:
Indiana could lose up to $138,000 in funds that provide services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 500 fewer victims being served.
Nutrition Assistance for Seniors:
Indiana would lose approximately $820,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors.
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