Central Texas feels pinch of a Gov't Shutdown
AUSTIN, Texas - Visitors to the LBJ library Monday - got an unexpected surprise. They were greeted by a sign - at the front door- stating the museum was closed because of the government shutdown.
"The Presidential museums use to be important places,” said Andres Antencio.
Antencio is from Venezuela and came up to Austin with his sister who lives in San Antonio. They arrived on the UT campus just as the Senate was ending the political stalemate in Washington D.C. Another try on Tuesday is not possible.
“I don’t think so; I have a flight today in about 4 hours,” said Antencio who considered his trip to the museum as an opportunity lost.
The Presidential Library research rooms and archives in Dallas and College Station were also closed. They were affected by the government shutdown because they receive federal funding. John and Liz Ellis didn't realize that when they walked up to the LBJ Library.
"My first reaction was, who would have thought this would have affected us, because you hear about this in the news, but it’s nah, it won’t affect us, and no it has,” said Liz Ellis.
Notices about closures - and scaled back operations - were also posted on several government websites. Even NASA was grounded by the shutdown; to the extent of its social media. National parks - like Big Bend were open - but visitor centers were closed. Others sites warned you could take a tour but restrooms were locked. There were people at the IRS processing facility in south Austin, but staffing reportedly was at a reduced level. Federal Court cases were still held Monday. The judicial system had a contingency plan for the shutdown which involved tapping into fees and other funds. The majority of those who work at VA Clinics like the one in southeast Austin, and other VA Hospitals, reported to work Monday. That’s because their mission is considered to be an essential service.
Officials with the Texas Workforce Commission tell FOX 7, as of November 17th, there were about 203,000 federal government employees working in the Lone Star state. According to the U.S. Office of personnel management, since 2013, Texas has consistently been one of the top states for federal jobs in the country. Other top states include California, Virginia and Maryland. Despite that, WalletHub ranks Texas as the 35th most federally dependent state in the country. The ranking was based not just on jobs, but also on government loans and benefits. Data form the Bureau of Labor shows that Austin’s population of federal workers is lower than the number working in the DFW MetroPlex, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso.
With the shutdown lasting only 3 days the financial impact for local federal workers is not as painful as with past shutdowns. But for those who felt it Monday morning- like the Ellis' the political impact may be more lasting.
Especially at the ballot box.