Shutdown Impact on FDL County Minimal – At Least for Now

The partial government shutdown is in its 28^th
day, and while it has had its impacts on the national level, the shutdown has
had very few impacts here in Fond du Lac county so far. County Executive Allen
Buechel told us Thursday that there are a few agencies that may see some
impacts if the shutdown continues on.

“You’ve got food stamps – they call it Food Share now –
new applications are probably not going to be processed after January, so there’s
going to be delays in that. It appears the current folks will be fine for now.”
Buechel said. “I checked with Veterans Services, and it appears some federal
employees are not showing up for administrative jobs, those aren’t in the
county, but it will affect veterans because it will slow down some of the
processing for their paperwork. But as far as direct services to veterans, that
looks like we’re OK to the end.” He added.  

Buechel also says money for the housing authority is
expected to run out by the end of February and the county is working on a “Plan
B” in case that does happen. Buechel says he’s confident politicians in
Washington D.C. will get things figured out.