Fed Budget Trouble

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) - The endless battles over the federal budget are having everyday impacts on people throughout the Wabash Valley.

Congress hasn't passed a budget for 2 years and now a deadline is looming that could see cuts in all federal programs.

The budget impasse is slowing down commerce and planning in even small town America.

Without a budget officials at the George Rogers Clark National Park don't have any idea what the future holds for it.

The park is just one place that could face big cuts if Congress and the White House can't solve their differences.

Congressman Larry Bucshon says a deadline is coming that will impact everything from roads to levees.

"Most people tell me every day they can't run their business like this," said Bucshon.  "We need to stop running our government on temporary spending bills.  We need to get our spending bills passed every year in Congress."

Perhaps the biggest problem with the federal budget impasse is uncertainty.

Uncertainty about federal operations and the uncertainty that reaches in businesses and down to individuals.

"Uncertainty at the federal level provides uncertainty at the local level," said Marc McNeece with the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, "and it makes it difficult not only for the consumer, but businesses to do planning in the future."

"It's uncertainty.  That's what's killing everyone," added Bucshon.  "When you talk to businesses out there they say look just set the rules and we'll play by them.  The American people are saying that at home too.  Just tell us what our taxes will be and we'll play by them."

But until Democrats and Republicans in Washington, D.C. can come up with an agreement on dealing with the budget, Main Street will be left in limbo with little idea of how to plan for the future.

Officials say if there is no budget settlement in the next 10 days $85-billion in across the board spending cuts will go into effect.