You’ve heard the news: the federal government is shut down. 

While many federal employees are furloughed, workers at the State of Oregon, local governments and homecare and personal support workers will continue to be paid.

Depending on how long this shutdown continues, the state budget and state services could eventually be affected. The longer this goes on, the more likely it could start to have an impact on the services Oregon workers provide, even if you aren’t in a federally funded job.  We are in contact with Governor’s Office and DAS and expect to learn next week about potential impacts, depending on the length of the shutdown. 

While state jobs are safe, millions of federal workers are being forced to work without pay. And because the federal government is essentially “closed,” schools will not get funding and seniors who have worked their entire lives will not be able to sign up for social security or long-term care. Things we take for granted and enjoy, such as national parks, will not be staffed or maintained.

The disagreement over a new budget in Congress is important. Over the last few months, budget bills that have passed Congress will have a direct impact on our state’s ability to provide services and make health care for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians more expensive. To make it worse, these cuts were made to provide tax cuts to billionaires.  

We need Congress to come together to find a solution, fund services, and protect healthcare. Instead, they are pushing partisan agendas that don’t center the needs of working families. 

Call your congressional representative at 877-851-2521 and let them know to end this partisan bickering, fund healthcare and reopen government.

We will work to keep you updated as we learn more.