WPAFB -- Congress only has four days to act to avoid $85 billion in automatic spending cuts. Locally, nothing would be affected more than Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Senator Rob Portman was in town Monday as concern looms over the entire Wright-Patt community. He has been working with the Air Force Base for a year and a half.
"I'm still optimistic, believe it or not just because it is bad policy," Portman said. "I will be going back to Washington today. We have votes this afternoon. I will be taking a very clear message."
His two main goals: convince the feds to spread out the cuts so it's not concentrated on military and flexibility to prioritize the programs that are most important. But if nothing happens before Friday, 13,000 civilian employees at Wright-Patt -- or 60 percent of the workforce -- could be furloughed and lose up to 20 percent of their income.
"I have asked for some exceptions to the furloughs and it's looking like 100 maybe exceptions," said Col. Cassie Barlow, 88th Air Base Wing Commander. "We have to look at people who are involved in safety of life and very few on base are involved in those sorts of services."
These talks have left everyone on and around base "very apprehensive, everybody's just waiting to see," said Barbara Marks, Hope Hotel Catering Manager.
There is fear in the air on and around the base. One fear is that government will only provide a short-term solution and we'll be talking about these sequester cuts again in a few months.
"I think we have to stop kicking the can down the road and start making decisions," said Portman.
"I would like to see them come to an agreement and keep our military," said Marks. "They've asked our military to do a lot over the last 10 to 15 years so to now decide we don't need you and we're going to cut your pay 20 percent ... I think that is as wrong as it could be."
Wright-Patt officials want to keep the lines of communication open with employees. They have created a website and a hotline to answer any questions employees and civilians may have.
If the sequester were to take place it would go in effect in April. The civilians will be notified 30 days before any furloughs take place.
Important Links:
The White House outlines cuts
[PDF] OMB Report Pursuant to the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter.
Senator Rob Portman was in town Monday as concern looms over the entire Wright-Patt community. He has been working with the Air Force Base for a year and a half.
"I'm still optimistic, believe it or not just because it is bad policy," Portman said. "I will be going back to Washington today. We have votes this afternoon. I will be taking a very clear message."
His two main goals: convince the feds to spread out the cuts so it's not concentrated on military and flexibility to prioritize the programs that are most important. But if nothing happens before Friday, 13,000 civilian employees at Wright-Patt -- or 60 percent of the workforce -- could be furloughed and lose up to 20 percent of their income.
"I have asked for some exceptions to the furloughs and it's looking like 100 maybe exceptions," said Col. Cassie Barlow, 88th Air Base Wing Commander. "We have to look at people who are involved in safety of life and very few on base are involved in those sorts of services."
These talks have left everyone on and around base "very apprehensive, everybody's just waiting to see," said Barbara Marks, Hope Hotel Catering Manager.
There is fear in the air on and around the base. One fear is that government will only provide a short-term solution and we'll be talking about these sequester cuts again in a few months.
"I think we have to stop kicking the can down the road and start making decisions," said Portman.
"I would like to see them come to an agreement and keep our military," said Marks. "They've asked our military to do a lot over the last 10 to 15 years so to now decide we don't need you and we're going to cut your pay 20 percent ... I think that is as wrong as it could be."
Wright-Patt officials want to keep the lines of communication open with employees. They have created a website and a hotline to answer any questions employees and civilians may have.
If the sequester were to take place it would go in effect in April. The civilians will be notified 30 days before any furloughs take place.
Important Links:
The White House outlines cuts
[PDF] OMB Report Pursuant to the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter.