WASHINGTON — As Democrats and Republicans in Congress squabble about who is to blame, a clearer picture is emerging of how Ventura County will be affected by automatic federal budget cuts scheduled to take effect Friday.
Head Start programs in the county would have to cut 145 children from their rolls. Health care clinics that serve the poor and needy could not expand their programs.
Schools in Ventura County could lose $5 million in federal funding. Airport control towers in Oxnard and Camarillo could be shut down. Thousands of civilian employees at Naval Base Ventura County could be furloughed one day a week. A popular Navy air show scheduled for September could be canceled. An educational program at Channel Islands National Park would have to be scaled back.
“If the automatic cuts go into effect this Friday, the people of Ventura County will pay the price,” said Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Oak Park. “We will lose jobs, and the economy will suffer.”
The $85 billion in cuts, known as “sequestration,” would be spread out over the next seven months and would be spread across government agencies unless President Barack Obama and Congress strike a last-minute deal to stop them. The possibility of such a deal seemed remote Tuesday.
“I think at this point it’s a very safe bet that sequestration starts full-bore on Friday,” said Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita.
Meeting with reporters, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., warned that California would see 227,000 jobs disappear if the cuts take effect and that the state’s economy would take a blow just as it is starting to recover. She placed much of the blame on House Republicans’ unwillingness to negotiate, saying GOP no longer stands for Grand Old Party.
“They are the Tea Party austerity party,” she said.
“The choice is between a growing economy or a slowing economy,” Boxer said.
In Ventura County, agencies that rely on federal funding said they are only beginning to grapple with the potential effect of the cuts.
Child Development Resources Inc. of Ventura County, which operates 23 Head Start centers that serve more than 1,300 children, estimated it could lose $1 million in federal funding if the cuts take effect. As such, 145 children could no longer participate in the program, said Jack Hinojosa, the agency’s associate executive director.
“Any cut of that significant amount would obviously devastate the infrastructure we have here in Ventura County to serve children and families,” Hinojosa said.
Clinicas del Camino Real, which operates 11 health clinics in the county, said it has yet to determine how much funding it would lose or the effect on its clinics, which serve 55,000 patients a year.
“We know there are far-reaching effects,” said Arnoldo Torres, the agency’s consultant for governmental relations. “It will affect further growth and further expansion — we know that. Whether it will cut into the core funding is what everybody is asking and assessing.”
Ken Prosser, a deputy superintendent at the Ventura County Office of Education, said county schools could lose as much as $5 million in funding if the cuts extend into next year.
“That’s not a giant impact,” Prosser said. “But with the uncertainty of school funding here in California, any reduction in planned revenues will hurt.”
Late last week, the Federal Aviation Administration warned that control towers at the Oxnard and Camarillo airports could be closed if the cuts go through. Naval Base Ventura County disclosed that 80 percent of its 5,000 civilian workers could be furloughed one day a week if the cuts take effect.
In addition, the Mugu Air Show that will feature the Blue Angels and was expected to draw 200,000 to 250,000 spectators over two days in September might have to be canceled, said Kimberly Gearhart, a spokeswoman for the base. Canceling the flight demonstration squadron’s performance could save the Navy $185,000, Gearhart said.
Channel Islands National Park has no plans to furlough workers or reduce hours at the park visitor center, said Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau. Still, the park would be unable to fill vacancies for four positions, including biologists and an interpretive ranger, Galipeau said.
Channel Islands would also have to scale back its Channel Islands Live programming, which includes interactive broadcasts about the park and its natural resources. The programming is available to schools and the public. Galipeau said the park may have to offer the programming once a week instead of three times a week.
Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, said the cuts would be felt in Ventura County in other ways as well. Cuts to the Coast Guard’s budget could affect its ability to patrol the waters off Ventura County, which she said could hamper efforts to catch panga boats used to smuggle people and drugs.
Business travelers also could face longer lines at airports because there will be fewer agents at security checkpoints, she said, and ships entering California’s ports could face wait times of five hours or more during peak holiday weekends and travel periods.
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Comments » 136
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Folks is your job threatened?
Blame your local Teabaggers. Those fools created the whole mess back in 2011 with their holding the debt limit hostage.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
So how well does that good ol TeaBag austerity worked folks?
In Britain they have tried it for a few years and a couple of days ago they got their credit rating lowered. Triple depth recession. In Italy it has also been a total flop and as a result is being trashed.
waynes-world writes:
Who's the fool? 85b is chump change. Thank your president for his continued failed leadership. Sad how incompetent he really is.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
WantedMan writes:
The President and Congress need to compromise and agree to "smart cuts" without back-to-back tax increases that won't be accepted.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Over 75% of the people want tax increases in addition to spending cuts. There is NOTHING wrong with instituting a minimum 30% tax requirement on income over a million. According to right wingers the rich already pay OVER that thus will not be affected.
This Teabag anti-tax foolishness has got to stop.
Obama asked for 1.2 Trillion in tax increases. He got 600 billion. There is still room for 600 billion more.
elgavacho#206587 writes:
Oh no! The Government has to cut 2.4% of their spending!! Whatever will we do???
Lurker-X writes:
This country is doomed. Right-wing Teabaggers are dragging it down to the Third World level.
ENVIROSCIGUY writes:
We will see more of our friends lose their JOBS!
Duh...
RudyCakes writes:
What percentage of the total budget does 85 billion represent? What was last years total budget compared to this years? It seems so overblown. It's almost laughable that this much money will destroy America when $50 billion was given to help pay for Hurricane Sandy without a fuss. I'm not saying the East didn't need the money, or that it was wrong to give them something, but if the consequences of giving that much money is so dire, why was it not taken more seriously?
I'm sure Israel's $3.1 billion will also be approved without serious consideration.
InsideEdge writes:
Bin Husain and his hommie Bernanke running out of money and are starting to see the catastrophic effects of printing and borrowing money to " grow the economy". Gold at $1600 an Oz. and gas at $4.25/ gal. Just wait til the dollar it totally worthless. $5 a gal. Of gas will a thing of the past. And if anyone thinks that taking more of our money ( via taxes) is going to do anything but harm our already fragile consumer is crazy!
ENVIROSCIGUY writes:
The DISCRETIONARY budget is 1.3 trillion, so this represents about 6.5% of what is not ENTITLED.
This IS austerity, and austerity makes recessions WORSE.
Huskerfan writes:
Some posters are spinning rapidly while also rolling around on the floor.
Yes, 75% or so favor a combination of tax increases and spending cuts. Then again:
"But an equally large proportion believes that the greater share should come from spending cuts, even if tax hikes are also considered. Even among Republicans, more favor a combination of spending cuts and tax increases to just spending cuts (56% vs. 42%). When those who favor a balanced approach to reducing the deficit are asked if the focus should mostly be on spending cuts or tax increases, they overwhelmingly say spending cuts. Overall, 73% say efforts by the president and Congress to reduce the deficit should be only or mostly focused on spending cuts while just 19% say the focus should be only or mostly on tax increases."
(http://www.people-press.org/2013/02/2...)
See that-there in the parentheses-that is an actual reference. Some posters seemingly are too dense, or delusional, to include these in their so-called "FACT(s)". Maybe they hit their heads like Goose did when he was ejecting?
Tomcat_Driver writes:
I see a lot of TeaBag math. Only one third of the budget pie is being affected since Social Security and Medicare is not touched. That means a 13 percent cut for defense for 7 months. Not 2 percent.
waynes-world writes:
Uhhhhhh duhhh yea the 75% that support more taxes wont have to pay a penny. Wow what a mandate.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Some people are incompetent in math and reading and resort to lying.
waynes-world writes:
I would think defense cuts would give a liberal a " tingle" up their leg.
waynes-world writes:
Yea all because of 85 billion out of a 3.5 trillion budget. You're right, we are doomed.
No_Bull_Nothing_But_The_Truth writes:
The Governments' biggest fear is that if the sequestration goes into effect, the governments predictions of doom and gloom will never materialize.
The voters will actually get to see how much waste goes on in Government, on both sides of the isle, and what little credibility our elected officials have left will evaporate.
RudyCakes writes:
"This IS austerity, and austerity makes recessions WORSE."
That seems a bit simplistic.
I thought amassing more debt and spending freely made recessions worse.
So at 6.5%, is the sky really falling?
Tomcat_Driver writes:
The abandonment of the defense worker by conservative Republicans represents an historic opportunity for Obama and democrats. Without those workers future support Conservative candidates could not even be elected dog catcher. The Republican Party could be crushed. Do it Obama.
waynes-world writes:
Nope, Ostumbles and the DemocRATs are going to make it as painful as possible. Reduce spending 2%? Welcome to poison food, criminals being released from jail, locust, etc. it's shameful how poor the leadership of this president is.
waynes-world writes:
See? Aren't you happy? Go Barry go!!!!
Huskerfan writes:
ESG-Why aren't the environmental groups pushing re-creation of something like the CCC on a national level (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian...)?
It seems like it would work on so many levels now-jobs, health care, infrastructure, stimulus, and long term benefits to our national forests and parks.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
All counttries buying into austerity are in far worse recessions. Austerity always means massive unemployment and more debt as a result.
No_Bull_Nothing_But_The_Truth writes:
Since Obumbler can not run for re-election, I agree, he will try to make it as painful as possible. But, since there are no term limits on either the Republicans or Democrats, none of them are going to want this small 2% cut in the budget to have a negative impact on their individual districts, because that means they would most likely get voted out.
I still think that the predictions of doom and gloom are hyperbole BS.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Sounds like something they taught you at a local Tea Bag rally. What nonsense.
waynes-world writes:
It's not even a cut, it is a reduction in increased spending since " baseline budgeting" calls for a 6% annual increase. Too bad the sheep can't see it.
waynes-world writes:
It's called economics 101. Look it up , that is when you aren't rolling on the floor.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Real analysis means one does not take into account INCREASES in areas of the budget that remain untouched by sequestration. The areas being touched have no such increases.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
I got an A in Econ 101. And no they did not teach that garbage in it.
waynes-world writes:
That's because Oblunder has not put forth other areas that can be cut because he is a horrible leader. 85 billion? That's a rounding error for Ostumbes spending..... Just for you.... ROTFLMAO
OxnardSage writes:
wow no airshow? Hurt me more with cutbacks. Hey that pseudo airlines went belly up so is a tower needed? smart and prudent cut of "nice to have" things.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
WRONG!!
The sequestration LAW says that if an area like defense is affected, the same amount must be axed from EVERYTHING except troop pay which is excluded. It is a Meat Cleaver approach.
waynes-world writes:
I guess passing a budget would be a good start for him?
Tomcat_Driver writes:
What's laughable are things the Teabag party puts out. This is NOT a small cut. It affects ONLY ONE THIRD of the budget. Defense would be cut 13%, not 2%.
silverlining writes:
The federal and state governments can't just keep spending monies that they don't have. I have no problem with keeping medicare and the SS out the sequestration. They should have never been in the general budget to begin with. There comes a time, sooner or later when overspending will come home to effect every person, to a greater or lesser degree. We can keep spending our way into complete government financial failure or take little bites and chip away. The government has not seemed to care much about throwing OUR money around very loosely, especially over the past 20 years. Now a little cut and they scream the sky is falling. Just a bit too much of doom and gloom when it will only get worse if we do nothing but spend.
Lo_Information_CalDem_voter writes:
1/2 of 1% and Obama's government falls into a tizzy. We're a dumb country now.
PleasantValley writes:
Easy to solve. Each side throws out a proposal and the people vote on which one to accept. It forces both sides to propose something balanced or else the other guy will win.
janusjuris writes:
75%? Where do you dream up these numbers? Was this poll taken at the union bread-truck drivers office? As always, Liberal ideology only works when it is centered around lies and the hope that people are too stupid to figure it out for themselves.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
It is the result of a PEW POLL I linked to a few days ago. There is no doubt. 75 percent of the people DO NOT support wingnut ideas.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Governme...
Tomcat_Driver writes:
You were saying about lies? Looks like that is specialty of conservatives. 56% of Republicans also want taxes in addition to spending cuts.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
http://www.businessinsider.com/pew-po...
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Conservative Republicans: Baby Baby you're out of time
http://www.people-press.org/2013/02/2...
venturahighwayone writes:
OMG ......a Bean shortage for Bean counters
Mr Obama give us our beans to
whereyoufromdude writes:
To see all of the whining going on, with the whiner-in-chief yelling "meat cleaver, meat cleaver" almost makes me sick to the point of puking on my keyboard. I think when the president retires, he will star on Broadway in "Chicken Little", but unfortunatly, it will only run for a week.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Is that what your "neighbor" told you?
LMAO!!
DavidAtkins writes:
Remember to thank your local Republican for putting us all through this stupidity.
ENVIROSCIGUY writes:
A similar proposal IS in "The Budget for All" (google it).
"The Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act. This legislation outlines a plan to put over 2 million individuals back to work over the next 2 years by hiring them for work in areas critical to our quality of life. This would create the School Improvement Corps for public school rehabilitation projects, the Park Improvement Corps made of youth ages 16 to 25 for restoration on public lands, the Student Jobs Corps of college students for part-time work study positions, the Neighborhood Heroes Corps to employee teachers, firefighters and cops, among others. Priority hiring is given to the unemployed and veterans."