WH forecasts budget cuts for Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The White House predicts that automatic budget cuts scheduled to take place Friday would affect Alabama residents of all ages, with the biggest impact on the military.

The White House compiled the numbers from federal agencies and its own budget office. The numbers reflect the impact of the cuts this year. Unless Congress acts by Friday, $85 billion in cuts are set to take effect from March-September.

As to whether states could move money around to cover shortfalls, the White House said that depends on state budget structures and the specific programs. The White House did not have a list of which states or programs might have flexibility.

The projections:

• Teachers and schools: Alabama would lose about $11 million in funding for primary and secondary schools. About 150 teacher and aide jobs would be at risk.
• Work-study jobs: About 940 fewer low-income students would receive financial aid and 280 fewer would get work-study jobs to help pay for college.
• Head Start: Services would be eliminated for about 1,100 children.
• Environment: Alabama would lose $2 million to ensure clean water and air and $1 million in grants for fish and wildlife protection.
• Military: About 27,000 civilians working for the military would be furloughed and lose nearly $177 million in pay. Funding for Army and Air Force operations would be cut $99 million.
• Jobs: About 16,600 fewer people would get help finding jobs due to the loss of $472,000.
• Child Care: Up to 500 children would lose access to child care.
• Vaccines: About 2,110 fewer children would get vaccinations for measles, mumps and other illnesses due to a funding cut of $144,000.
• Public health: About 1,600 fewer people will be admitted to substance abuse programs and 4,100 fewer HIV tests would be performed due to a $1.8 million cut in public health funding.
• Seniors: Funding for meals for seniors would be reduced about $865,000.