Benzie, Manistee County party officials say shutdown’s local impact uncertain

The federal government entered a partial shutdown on Oct. 1 after lawmakers could not agree on a federal spending bill.

According to the Associated Press, Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government at current levels through Nov. 21. However, Democrats blocked the measure, insisting it reverse Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump's bill passed this summer and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for people who purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans called the Democratic proposal a nonstarter that would cost taxpayers more than $1 trillion.

Political leaders in Benzie and Manistee counties said while services like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security would continue, there was no consensus on the effect the shutdown may have on other government services residents rely on.

The impact on local services, they said, depended on the length of the shutdown.

"I think people might not realize how much this might affect them when they call for services," said Jana Goldman, chair of the Benzie County Democrats. "It's hard to tell where it might hit people. You never know until you need the service."

She also said a "spiral effect" from government employees not getting paychecks could hurt local tourism.

John Helge, chair of the Manistee Democratic Party, said the effect on federal employees living in the area could spread.

"Locally, people employed by the federal government may be working without pay," he said. "How do they pay their bills? I hope utilities and mortgage companies give them some leeway. It's not their fault."

Helge said the average family in Manistee County wouldn't be affected much in the short term.

"Only if they need affected services from the federal government," he said.

Duane Jones, chair of the Manistee County Republicans, also said the shutdown wouldn't have much effect locally.

"In the short term, I don't think anybody will notice," he said. "Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security still get paid. Nobody is missing those payments. I don't think we have federal employees as a big labor force base in Manistee County."

He said federal employees were likely to see retroactive pay once a spending deal is reached. However, he wasn't sure what effect a longer shutdown would have.

The last government shutdown was the longest in the nation's history at 35 days, Associated Press reporting shows. It took place in 2018-2019.

Mark Smith, chair of the Benzie County Republican Party, said other essential services, such as air traffic control, the armed forces and immigration and customs enforcement, would continue during the shutdown.

As for the reasons behind the shutdown, Smith said the fault lays entirely with Democrats.

"Programs that do not benefit from an infusion of mandatory appropriations will bear the brunt of this Democrat shutdown," he said. "This intentional Democrat shutdown provides an excellent opportunity to begin seriously reducing their out-of-control government spending. This is just another attempt to demonize our duly elected president and his administration."

Jones said he was glad Republicans "stuck to their guns."

"They didn't bend to the Democrats trying to hold them hostage for a trillion dollars of additional expenditures," he said.

He added he didn't want the shutdown to affect military and federal employees doing essential jobs.

"I don't want to see anybody go without a paycheck, but I'm glad they stuck to their guns on some of the padding and exorbitant expenses the Democrats wanted to add," Jones said.

Goldman said she is a former federal employee with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where she worked for 15 years, and that the current administration is politicizing federal employees.

"It's unfortunate federal employees have become pawns in a really bizarre chess game since the new administration took over," she said. "Some folks say they're political, but that federal workforce is not political. We work together no matter what our political beliefs. We get the job done and do what is best for the American taxpayers."

She said political appointees, not career federal employees, are responsible for politicizing agencies.

"The Housing and Urban Development website is blaming the Democrats right now, and that's outrageous," Goldman said. "To think a United States government website is blaming a party. That's not how our government should be working for the taxpayers."

Helge said misinformation was spreading about what Democrats are asking for. He said their request is to reverse Medicaid cuts made by the Trump administration and maintain Affordable Care Act subsidies to avoid "skyrocketing" health care costs.

"They're not asking for more money, they just want to keep what was in place from going away," he said.