How federal budget cuts are affecting one Appalachian county in Ohio

[theHandpuppet]

The following article outlines just how devastating proposed budget cuts could be to one county in impoverished SE Ohio. I would recommend reading the entire article to get the full scope of the cuts and the programs that would be affected.

Link: http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/12423049/article-CAO-fears-program-losses-if-budget-cut?instance=home_news_lead

CAO fears program losses if budget cut
by Ryan Scott Ottney Portsmouth Daily Times

The Community Action Organization of Scioto County (CAO) has been helping local people for 46 years, with programs such as employment training, home improvement, health care and bill payment assistance. Now the agency is afraid that recently proposed federal budget cuts will shrink many of its programs, and could eliminate three entirely.

CAO Planning Director Bill Thacker said at least 14,000 people in Scioto County received one or more services from the agency in 2010.

The agency has suffered major funding reductions in a continuing resolution passed earlier this year by Congress; extending a federal budget with $4 billion in cuts through March 18.

“We also have some concerns about Fiscal Year 2012, and particularly the president’s budget,” Thacker said. “Right now we’re looking at 11 local programs in jeopardy. Everything ranging from the WIC program to the USDA reimbursement to our Head Start and senior nutrition feeding programs. And basically three of the programs could be zeroed out completely.”

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[AnnieBW]

1. I'll bet that it's a solid red county, too

I'll betcha that Scioto County has a Rethug for a Rep, and went bright red during last year's election. Keep getting those poor people to vote against their best interests by scaring them about God, guns, gays, and abortion.

[theHandpuppet]

3. Ted Strickland, the Dem incumbent Governor, was born and raised in Scioto County

He took the vote in Scioto County by a large margin.

[theHandpuppet]

4. By the way...

If you want to read my past posts about voting patterns in Scioto County and SE Ohio, feel free to browse my DU journal.

[AnnieBW]

2. oops

Hit the button twice.