Spending Cuts Could Hit Close to Home If There's No Change
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: February 21, 2013
FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA- The much talked about "spending cuts" is taking a toll on the four-state region. If congress can't reach an agreement by March 1st, the Defense Department may take the biggest hit
"These cuts are not smart, they are not fair," says President Barack Obama. "They will hurt our economy."
"The most troubling thing is not having the information and the uncertainty," says Senator Richard Alloway, (R) - 33rd District of Pennsylvania. "People are wondering am I going to have a job next week? Next month? How am I going to pay my bills if this happens? So it really is troubling a lot of people and unfortunately I don't have any answers to give them right now."
Senator Alloway says Letterkenny Army Depot is one of the largest employers in Franklin County and losing hundreds, or even thousands of jobs is a scary thought for the local economy.
"Here in Franklin County, Letterkenny Army Depot is the largest employer," says Senator Alloway. "They have I think over 3,000 and with contractors it's over 5,000 employees in one area.'
According to Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, if the automatic government spending cuts kick in most of the defense departments 800,000 civilian workers will have to be furloughed one day a week. The outcome of this action would result in a 20-percent pay cut.
"I've heard from many workers at Letterkenny and they're very concerned for their job and for their future," says Senator Alloway.
"We can't be strong in the world unless we are strong at home," says John Kerry, Secretary of State.
Many defense workers didn't want to go on camera but are concerned about being unemployed. They say the scariest part is that everything is still very gray and there's not enough information being released.
"Just stay calm, this thing isn't over," says Senator Alloway. "This is just the start of it and we'll be there to fight for the people."
Congress is not in session this week. When they return on Monday they'll have only four days to come up with a deal.
"These cuts are not smart, they are not fair," says President Barack Obama. "They will hurt our economy."
"The most troubling thing is not having the information and the uncertainty," says Senator Richard Alloway, (R) - 33rd District of Pennsylvania. "People are wondering am I going to have a job next week? Next month? How am I going to pay my bills if this happens? So it really is troubling a lot of people and unfortunately I don't have any answers to give them right now."
Senator Alloway says Letterkenny Army Depot is one of the largest employers in Franklin County and losing hundreds, or even thousands of jobs is a scary thought for the local economy.
"Here in Franklin County, Letterkenny Army Depot is the largest employer," says Senator Alloway. "They have I think over 3,000 and with contractors it's over 5,000 employees in one area.'
According to Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, if the automatic government spending cuts kick in most of the defense departments 800,000 civilian workers will have to be furloughed one day a week. The outcome of this action would result in a 20-percent pay cut.
"I've heard from many workers at Letterkenny and they're very concerned for their job and for their future," says Senator Alloway.
"We can't be strong in the world unless we are strong at home," says John Kerry, Secretary of State.
Many defense workers didn't want to go on camera but are concerned about being unemployed. They say the scariest part is that everything is still very gray and there's not enough information being released.
"Just stay calm, this thing isn't over," says Senator Alloway. "This is just the start of it and we'll be there to fight for the people."
Congress is not in session this week. When they return on Monday they'll have only four days to come up with a deal.
