Resources for Information on the Possible Government Shutdown

As the July 1 deadline for the governor and legislature to come up with a budget solution draws nearer, many people are wondering how a government shutdown could affect them. In addition to the previous post highlighting the two different petitions filed by the Attorney General and Governor Dayton, there are several other great resources for information on this topic.

• MPR: Shutdown 2011
  Last Updated: 6/23, 3:45pm
  Blog with comprehensive coverage of the budget impasse and expected government shutdown.
• DHS shutdown planning information
  Last Updated: June 21, 1:46pm
  Provides links to state shutdown information; vendor, contractor, and grantee notice; client notices (for Child Care Assistance, Adoption Assistance, Health Care/Cash/Food, and MN Food Assistance Program); Child Care Assistance provider notice; information for counties; and frequently asked questions.
• 2011 State Government Contingency Planning website
  Last Updated: Looks like June 22, but it says frequently
  Information from Minnesota Management and Budget Office.
• MPR: FAQ on the potential Minnesota government shutdown
  Last Updated: 6/22, 8:30am
  Provides answers to frequently asked questions, such as why is it happening, how/when will it be resolved, which services will continue to function, what about unemployment benefits/education/health care, will we get our federal funding, and more.
• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits: 2011 Budget/Shutdown Crisis
  Last Updated: At least 6/20, though possibly more recent
  Provides relevant shutdown information and resources for nonprofit organizations (though others will benefit as well). Has Twitter feed using the hashtag #mnshutdown, to follow all tweets related to the shutdown.
• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and Nonprofits Assistance Fund: Recording of June 20 Emergency Briefing Webinar
  Last Updated: 6/20
  “Covers the context for the shutdown, crisis communications techniques, financial planning and how organizations can access emergency bridge loans, and open discussion.”
• Pioneer Press: Shutdown: Here’s what Minnesota would miss
  Last Updated: 6/18, 10:26pm
  A look at what will most likely shut down or be significantly impaired during a government shutdown, and how the shutdown may affect the average citizen.
• Politics in Minnesota: Dayton shutdown plan would spread pain broadly
  Last Updated: 6/17, 2:53pm
  Goes over some of the effects of agency/service closures.

Some good sources for people writing about the shutdown include the hashtag on Twitter #mnshutdown, MPR’s Capitol View blog, local newspapers’ state/local politics sections (in the Twin Cities metro area, check out the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press), and Politics in Minnesota’s The Briefing Room (some articles require subscription). You can also check out the Republican Party of Minnesota’s blog and the Minnesota DFL Party’s website.
And finally, here is the list of critical services (or core functions) that Governor Dayton has put forth in his request for continued funding during a government shutdown.
Budget Talk Update
So far, the legislature has offered to remove their $230 million in tax cuts from their budget proposal if the governor removes his tax increases. Governor Dayton did not approve of this new proposal because he wants the legislature to increase spending from $34 billion. In turn, the governor proposed reducing his tax increases on top earners by half as his compromise; however, the legislature did not approve of his plan because it was too vague on spending. In addition to this, according to MPR there is at least one Republican senator meeting with Governor Dayton to try to come up with a compromise behind the scenes.
Also, petitions have been entering the courts since the original two petitions filed by the Attorney General and the governor. Four Republican senators filed petitions on Monday and Tuesday in both the state’s Supreme Court and Ramsey County District Court asking that the courts refrain from ordering continued funding during a shutdown, due to the unconstitutionality of this action. The two congressional houses have also come up with an official resolution concerning the funding of services during the shutdown, and petitions were filed in support of or opposition to Governor Dayton’s and the Attorney Generals petitions by organizations such as Ramsey County, The Minnesota Hospital Association, Hennepin County, The Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, The Minnesota Workforce Council Association, and Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, among others.