Panetta: Defense has plan for furloughs

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Congress is now on notice that Department of Defense furloughs could occur should sequestration happen.

In a message sent today to all defense personnel, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he has notified Congress of the possibility of furloughs, and that contingency planning has begun.

"The administration continues to work with Congress to reach agreement on a balanced deficit reduction plan to avoid these cuts," Panetta said. "Meanwhile, because another trigger for sequestration is approaching on March 1, the department's leadership has begun extensive planning on how to implement the required spending reductions." 

The cuts apply to "discretionary" spending, and in 2013 alone, are divided between reductions $500 billion to defense and $700 billion to non defense.

With more than 14,000 DOD workers in Ohio, an Air Force study predicts sequestration will take more than $111 million from Ohio's economy in lost wages alone during the first six months after it is implemented.

"With the threat of sequestration and the threat of furloughs at Wright-Patterson Air Force base, this could not be a more critical time," Congressman Mike Turner said in an interview with 2 NEWS.

Turner said he thinks Congress and the president are nowhere near to coming to a solution and that the "brinksmanship" of the sequester is pushing events to the edge of disaster.

Dan Edwards will have more of his interview with Congressman Turner on 2 NEWS beginning at 5:00, along with additional coverage and information on what impact sequestration will deliver to the Miami Valley.