Politics & Government

Federal Shutdown's Impact Felt Locally

The U.S. Mail Service will run normally, but national parks and museums will remain closed as a result current government shutdown.

Still, county government officials in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam aren't reporting any short-term disruption in services.

Below is quick rundown of the shutdown's local impact.

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County Government:

Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino issued the following statement regarding the federal shutdown:

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“We are monitoring the situation closely and hope that partisan politics can be put aside to end the shutdown as quickly as possible,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Regardless of what side of the aisle you are on, it is hard to see how the shutdown is in the best interests of the American people. Frankly, it’s embarrassing to watch this kind of squabbling in Washington. Fortunately, there is no immediate effect on the county. From a cash flow standpoint, the county has the money to pay its bills. Federal funds for food stamps and other social services for October are already in place. Our federal transportation money is also in place. County government is up, running and fully open.”

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said her office is assessing the shutdown’s impact. The Odell is delivering her proposed budget tonight and county officials are expected to approve a budget in the next few weeks.

“We’re still waiting to see what the impact will be,” Odell said. “From the viewpoint of my constituents, I know some people who are going to be furloughed as a result of the shutdown. But we’re still in the information gathering mode.”

The offices of the Rockland County Executive and District Attorney said that they didn’t anticipate the shutdown having an immediate impact on their day-to-day operations.

Education:

John McCarthy, assistant superintendent for administration at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, said that he didn't anticipate the government shutdown having an immediate impact on BOCES and its member schools.

“Most of our funding comes from the state and local taxpayers," McCarthy said. "We have neighboring districts that receive federal funds to help offset certain costs. Those payments will be delayed…but it’s not like we’re going to have teachers who aren’t going to be paid this week.”

Federal Employees Furloughed:

Eric Durr, a spokesman for the state Division of Military & Naval Affairs, said 219 technicians have been furloughed at the Camp Smith New York Army National Guard base in Cortlandt Manor and the Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, Orange County.

“Essentially, we’re continuing to function,” Durr said. “But our dual status technicians—these are essentially civilian employees of the federal government who are also in the National Guard—are on furlough.”

This means the maintenance facility will stop functioning in the short-term, according to Durr. Durr said about 30 technicians at Camp Smith will be furloughed.

John Mazzulla, a spokesman for the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, said the shut down will have no impact on any of the VA’s local facilities, including Montrose.

Earlier today, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point officials announced that the schools conducted an orderly shutdown and released non-exempted civilian employees in response to the shut down.

Faculty at the academy is composed of about 70 percent military people who are not affected by the shutdown, according to West Point Officials. Other activities such as academic travel and sporting competitions can still be at risk but are being assessed by our chain of command and Department of the Army.

“West Point’s leadership will continue to be your biggest advocates,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, superintendent, during a meeting with academy’s workforce. “You are an essential part of our mission and we realize that without you the ability to accomplish our mission is substantially hindered.”

Immediate impacts include  the closures of the academy's commissary, Visitors Center and tours of West Point and Constitution Island Museum. 


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