Big word could create big problems

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - When the speakers inside and the protesters outside all agree that something is a bad idea, that's when you know it's unpopular.

"This is a process of running the budget over a cliff," says David Little with Progress Ohio, a left-leaning group.

"These go right to the heart of our ability to sustain our military," says Rep. Mike Turner (R) OH-3.

What everybody is complaining about at a hearing held by Rep. Turner is sequestration, a big word that many think will have some big consequences.

"Here in the Dayton region there's a widespread fear that defense cuts will cause business loss and cause them to layoff employees," says Jeff Hoagland with the Dayton Development Coalition.

Basically sequestration is a $1 trillion cut to the federal budget that will go into effect in January because Congress couldn't come to a compromise on spending.

2 NEWS has found the biggest impact in our area will be the $500 billion that has to be cut from the defense budget.

That means less money for Wright-Patterson and less money for the defense contractors who deal with the base.

"We are drowning in a sea of uncertainty," says Sam Greenwood with The Greentree group, which does some defense contracting.

The disagreement comes on how to stop sequestration, whether it be higher taxes or reductions in spending.

Caught in the middle are those like Iraq veteran Paul Worley, who says sequestration would cut job assistance for vets.

"I'm very frustrated at my government leadership that can't compromise and can't come together to find the common good," Worley says.

Local leaders say companies have already started planning for the cuts because the other thing both sides agree on is the difficulty of reaching a compromise.

"Election seasons are notoriously difficult times to get things done," Little says.

Adds Rep. Turner, "Right now prospects don't look good for a last minute deal to save these jobs."