What Does the Government Shutdown Mean for PA?

At 12:01 AM this Tuesday, the federal government shut down for the first time since 1996. This shutdown was caused by the failure of Congress to approve legislation to fund the government, largely over the issue of funding the Affordable Care Act.

No one knows how long the shutdown will occur (it could be over by the time you read this), but I want to make sure everyone knows the shutdown only pertains to the federal government. As your State Representative, I have nothing whatsoever to do with Congress or the operation of the federal government.

So no matter how long the shutdown lasts, my constituent service offices in Burgettstown, Cecil and Washington will remain open Monday through Friday from 8:30 – 4:30 to handle any problems you may have. The state legislature will continue to pass legislation; I’m actually writing this between committee meetings in the State Capitol.

But there will be some impact for Pennsylvanians as a result of the shutdown. Pennsylvania expects to receive $21.7 billion in federal funds during the 2013-14 year, accounting for about one-third of all state spending, but there will likely be no immediate impact if the shutdown is short in duration.

The shutdown will not affect entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Unemployment compensation programs and welfare programs such as WIC will continue paying benefits, as well. The U.S. Postal Service will still deliver the mail.

Unfortunately the shutdown will impact many of the 71,000 Pennsylvanians working for the federal government and cripple services Pennsylvanians rely upon such as programs to aid small businesses. And of course the impact will be felt upon those working to support our men and women in the United States Armed Forces, which is seriously unsettling to me personally.

The shutdown is most immediately visible at popular national parks like Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park, home of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and other famous landmarks that would be closed to visitors for the duration. About 3.5 million people visit the park each year.

The Army Corps of Engineers, including its Pittsburgh office, will close recreation areas, stop processing regulatory permits and stop maintaining locks and dams. But there is good news for polluters- the Environmental Protection Agency has essentially stopped functioning as a result of the shutdown, though it is uncertain what the shutdown means for environmental enforcement, toxic waste cleanup and other EPA programs in Pennsylvania.

Ironically, the one law the shutdown couldn’t stop is the Affordable Care Act. The health insurance exchange is now online. Because the Corbett Administration wouldn’t set up a state exchange, Pennsylvanians will use the exchange established by the federal government.

For more information on the insurance exchange, go to www.healthcare.gov. The PA Department of Insurance has also established a website at http://www.pahealthoptions.com to help sort through any confusion. I will be providing more information to help people sort out the details as the rollout of the program continues. Whether you agree with the Affordable Care Act or not, everyone should take the time to learn what it means for you and your family.

In the meantime, please know that although the federal government is shutdown, my staff and I are on the job and working for you. It will take a whole lot more than inaction by Congress to shut us down.