Government cuts threaten jobs and education

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Automatic cuts continue to threaten a number of government services.

If you're a student, a mother, a teacher, or someone looking for a job, these cuts will affect you.

If Congress doesn't act, $85 billion dollars in immediate cuts will kick in this Friday. The White House says funding for primary and secondary education will be cut by $13.4 million. College students will see fewer financial aid and work study jobs.  And Head Start services will be eliminated for 1,100 children in Massachusetts.

“I think that's why people are tired of it. They are kind of numb to it almost. It keeps getting pushed back and pushed back and delayed and delayed. There's this certain sensationalistic element to it like calling it the fiscal cliff,” Nicholas Dayton of Amherst said.

In Massachusetts, approximately 7,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed. It's not a layoff, but they'll likely work a shorter week.