INDIANAPOLIS -
We're getting a clearer picture of federal spending cuts and how they'll affect Hoosiers. Washington's budget crisis is becoming a personal budget crisis for thousands of Indiana families.
In every hospital, every military installation, every unemployment line, people are preparing for the pain of federal spending cuts. Elizabeth Fry lost her job as a dental hygienist a year ago and is planning for the worst.
"Scrimping and scraping and cutting back and going whatever I can possibly do being a single woman," she said.
33,000 Hoosiers, unemployed for more than six months, are having their benefits cut by11 percent.
The Gore family is losing about $160 a month.
"That's child care, a grocery bill, electric bill. That's like a whole extra bill for us," explained Sarah Gore, an unemployed teacher.
Across the state, Indiana National Guard is putting a thousand workers on four-day work weeks. They are soldiers, working as civilians. Many work in administrative and maintenance positions.
Specialist Ethan Caplinger repairs weapons. He's preparing for a pay cut that will cost his family about $400 a month.
"Gotta conserve, go down to basic everything" and even then Caplinger says he will probably have to find a part time job.
Although cuts at the National Guard's Indianapolis headquarters here are deeply personal, when seen in the state's big financial picture they are fairly small.
At the Crane Naval Support facility near Bedford, roughly 4,000 civilian workers will have their work weeks cut as well. The cost to Indiana's economy is conservatively estimated at $40 million.
Hospitals are preparing for a reduction in Medicaid reimbursements. Indiana's Hospital Association figures the seemingly small two-percent cut will cost health care providers almost $850 million.
Workers everywhere, like chief warrant officer and father of four Dennis White, wonders if Washington can fix its budget crisis while they work on their own.
"Am I going to provide enough for my family? That kinda doesn't keep me up at night. But it does weigh on my mind heavily," said White.
Budget cuts aren't expected to take effect until the end of this month or late April. There are lots of regulations and red tape to get through.
The National Guard has to work out the furloughs through the employee's union.
Workforce Development must reprogram computers and send letters to each person whose benefits are being cut.
Some agencies tell me they haven't even received the new federal mandates and procedures. One spokesperson calls it a logistical mess.
33,000 Hoosiers on unemployment will see their benefits cut.
Elizabeth Fry lost her job as a dental hygienist a year ago and is planning for the worst.
Sarah Gore is losing about $160 a month.
Specialist Ethan Caplinger repairs weapons. He's preparing for a pay cut that will cost his family about $400 a month.
Hospitals are preparing for a reduction in Medicaid reimbursements.
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