Possible Federal Government Shut Down (contractors, income, budget)

[pgtvatitans]

Since we have so many federal government employees on this particular section of the CD, I figured I would pose the question, what do you all think about the possibility of a shut down? How do you think it will impact you, your agency, and this region?

Also for those who worked during the last shut down, how did things turn out? How did it effect projects at that time? Did you lose out on any benefits/pay?

[JfromReston]

I don't see it having much effect in the long run - only a short term pain in the rear. I didn't loose any pay last time. Those most likely to loose pay are contractors.

[HokieFan]

It's a concern for me because my husband is a contractor. He would be on leave without pay for an undetermined amount of time. I hope that they can reach an agreement before March 4th.

[ChristineVA]

When the goverment shut down in the 90s, I was a contractor. We still reported to work and still got paid. I know each contract works differently so I'm not sure all contractors are unpaid.

I work in Defense and am directly involved with signing money out the door for defense programs to include war efforts. I am non-essential though. I can say that anymore than a week shut down will definitely impact funding for these efforts as well as funding for contractors that are executing some of the efforts.

Many people truly believe the government "doesn't do anything." And certainly, a small 2-3 day shutdown won't cause a significant impact on anyone. If they did it for 2 weeks though, I think the general public and businesses might feel something.

[oneasterisk]

It's pretty ridiculous that they are quibbling over 60 billion when the entire budget is in the trillions of dollars... Every household has to trim their budget during lean times, but somehow the Federal Gov't doesn't think they need to. Our dept. budget has been cut this year and we'll make do like always. I don't see a shutdown coming though. It would just be another notch of failure for the administration and that's the last thing the need.

[khuntrevor]

If employees are "non-essential," why have them to begin with?

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by khuntrevor

If employees are "non-essential," why have them to begin with?

You know the answer to this correct?

[Forehead]

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but everyone is talking about contractors not getting paid. In the event of a government shutdown, do Federal Workers still get their salary? I always assumed a shutdown meant no one got paid.

As for the term "essential" doesn't that mean employees who have to report to work regardless of weather conditions? Border Agents and the like. Office folks still provide important functions and services, but I think that's the distinction.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by Forehead

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but everyone is talking about contractors not getting paid. In the event of a government shutdown, do Federal Workers still get their salary? I always assumed a shutdown meant no one got paid.

My understanding is that during the '95 - 96 shutdown, Federal employees did not receive pay during the shutdown but did receive back-pay when they returned so there was not a loss of income for them.

[JfromReston]

I worked for the govenment during the 1995/96 shut down and got all my pay once the dudes on the hill resolved their differences.