LAS VEGAS (KSNV & MyNews3) -- There is just a little less than 30 hours until the deadline for big budget cuts known as the sequester goes into effect.
A local women's shelter and the people who serve the unemployed are monitoring the situation because they may be affected by the federal cuts right here in Las Vegas. More from News 3's Sandra Gonzalez.
As the deadline for federal cuts known as sequestration is only hours away, Nevada agencies are keeping a close eye on the situation. Here in Las Vegas, that includes a women’s shelter and the department that helps those who are unemployed.
The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation is monitoring the money talks because it helps people with job searching. Job search assistance is potentially on the chopping block. If cuts go into effect, job seekers may notice wait times at local offices.
“What we're going to try to do it minimize the effects on the recipients of benefits. And we'll do that by whatever means we can in terms of either stretching out the wait time,” said Director Frank Woodbeck.
And if the cuts go into effect, sequestration would mean layoffs; therefore more people would be seeking unemployment. That would possibly mean more people with less to work with.
“We could potentially have a greater number of unemployed and they will be looking for services. Now we will not deny services to anyone,” Woodbeck said.
Meanwhile, Shade Tree women’s shelter is also watching the situation. Services to help victims of domestic violence could be affected. The White House says in Nevada that could be about $57,000.
“A lot of the ladies here you know they don't, they need the services now, and it's going to take longer to get the services that they need,” said Rebecca Reyes, lead counselor at Shade Tree.
She says the shelter already operated on bare bones.
“I don't want the women who are still in these situations to feel that because these potential cuts are going to be happening that they are not going to be able to get out, that we are going to be able to assist them regardless we're going to help,” Reyes said.
Both agencies vow they will continue helping no matter what.
