White House outlines impact of sequestration on Ohioans

February 25, 2013 at 12:05a.m.

By danny Restivo

Youngstown

If Congress fails to pass a deficit-reduction plan by March 1, a series of automatic cuts, or a sequester, could have a drastic effect on the lives of many Ohioans, the White House says.

On Sunday, The White House released a state-by-state analysis of how a sequester would negatively impact state residents.

“House Republicans recognize the harmful effects of the sweeping cuts in President Obama’s sequester,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th. “The president’s sequester will have very detrimental effects on Ohioans, America’s military, and our national security.”

According to a White House release, President Obama has worked with Congress to reduce the deficit by $2.5 trillion, and has attempted to create a plan where a $4 trillion deficit reduction goal was met.

“Our economy is continuing to strengthen but we cannot afford a self-inflicted would from Washington,” tthe president said. “Republicans should compromise and meet the President in the middle.”

The White House compiled the numbers from federal agencies and its own budget office. The numbers reflect the impact of the cuts this year. Unless Congress acts by Friday, $85 billion in cuts are set to take effect from March to September.

Here are some of the cuts the Buckeye state would feel:

Education: The state would lose approximately $25.1 million in funding for primary and secondary schools. Roughly 350 teachers and aides could lose their jobs, with 34,000 fewer students being served. Sequestration would also affect funding of 100 schools in the state. Ohio would also lose $22 million in funding for children with disabilities and 270 teachers who educate and assist them. Head Start, an early childhood learning resource, would be eliminated for approximately 2,500 children.

Public Health: Approximately $1.1 million loss in funding for public health responses, including infections disease and natural disasters. Ohio will also lose about $3.3 million in grants used in substance abuse treatment and prevention. The Ohio Department of Health would also lose $302,000, resulting in 7,600 fewer HIV tests. Around 5,040 less children could receive vaccines for diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza and Hepatitis B because of a $344,000 reduction in vaccination funding.

Work-Study Jobs: Around 1,450 college students would be cut from the program. The sequester would affect 3,320 low-income students who receive financial aid to help them finance college.

Environmental Protection: The state would lose nearly $6.9 million in funding for clean air and water.

Military Readiness: Approximately 26,000 civilian employees of the Department of Defense would be furloughed. The sequester would reduce employee pay by a total of $161.4 million. Army bases in Ohio would be cut by $1.9 million, while Air Force bases would be cut by $3 million.

Law Enforcement and Public Safety: The state will lose around $455,000 in grants that help support police, prosecution, crime prevention, education, corrections, drug treatment, crime victims and witness initiatives. The cuts would also affect STOP Violence Against Women Program, which would lose $245,000 in funding to help victims of domestic violence. The cut would affect 900 people who rely on the program.

Senior citizens: A sequester would create an $823,000 reduction in funding for nutrition- assistance programs.