The federal government shutdown has stretched over the past few weeks, affecting federal workers and services with no end in sight. President Donald Trump has demanded $5.7 billion for his long-promised wall along the US-Mexican border, while Democrats insist Trump re-open the government before they negotiate border security.
Aaron Keck spoke with Penny Rich, the chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, about the government shutdown and how Orange County is affected.
“We know we have enough money for food stamps through January,” Rich said on The Aaron Keck Show. “We don’t know what happens after that. We know we have enough money for housing in January.
“Now, we just heard before I came to this meeting that probably February recovered and this is for the HUD and the housing vouchers. We don’t know that we’re going to have money for things like child welfare and adolescent parenting programs.”
Rich said that while the federal government doesn’t seem to care about local issues, Orange County cares.
“So if we do run out of money for food and housing we’re going to find that money; we’re going to move it over, and we’re gonna pay for it and hopefully we’ll get that money back from the federal government.”
Orange County tweeted Monday that Food and Nutrition Service benefits for new applicants will be delayed until the federal government shutdown reopens and funding is restored. The county clarified that they have no control over this, but will issue food referrals to those in need.
Due to the federal shutdown, FNS benefits for new applicants will be delayed until the federal government reopens and funding is restored. @OCNCGOV has no control over this but will issue food referrals to those in need. Both office locations have supplies of nonperishable food.
— Orange County NC Gov (@OCNCGOV) January 14, 2019
At times, Trump has seemed set on resorting to an emergency declaration, citing what he says is a “crisis” of drug smuggling and the trafficking of people at the border.
Trump also targeted Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Twitter, arguing that the shutdown “has become their, and the Democrats, fault!”
Nancy and Cryin’ Chuck can end the Shutdown in 15 minutes. At this point it has become their, and the Democrats, fault!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019
Rich said that, while Orange County is committed to helping residents, there is no way to pay back all the people that have been furloughed.
“Some of the people that have furloughed are not going to get their pay back. They’re just out of work for a while, and we also have folks in the county that get paid through federal funds and grants. Those people are not getting paid. We can’t make up all that money.”
Listen to the complete interview with Penny Rich on The Aaron Keck Show:
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