Update: End of partial government shutdown saves GPTC

Contributed By:The 411 News

Friday’s end of the longest standoff in the nation’s history over the partial funding of the government was just in time for GPTC, but long overdue for the 800,000 government employees who have been furloughed without pay since December 21.

Just one day before, the Gary Public Transit Corp. warned commuters that services would be reduced or suspended if the standoff between President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats continued into February.

The president backed down from his promise to keep the government partially closed until Congress gave him $5.7 billion to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico.

Some uncertainty still exists over the agreement. The president gave congress until February 15 to come up with a bill that he would sign to keep the government open and would have to include funds for border security. Missing from the agreement was a direct request for money for a “border wall,” one of the president’s campaign promises.

“We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier,” Mr. Trump said. “If we don’t get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on Feb. 15, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and Constitution of the United States to address this emergency.”

Friday’s agreement, called a continuing resolution, is a budget mechanism used to fund government operations for a short time until a full yearly budget is approved.

Agencies affected by the partial shutdown include the Dept. of Transportation with its air traffic controllers and airport transportation security agents required to work since December 22nd without a paycheck.

“If the shutdown persists the way it is, we will have no choice but to curb service as our funding begins to run out in early to mid-February,” warned GPTC General Manager Daryl Lampkins. “Unfortunately, about 65-70% of our funding comes from the federal government and, without access to those funds, our other revenue sources cannot sustain the large drop-off in funding. At that point we will be forced to reduce and, eventually, suspend service unless something changes in Washington, D.C.”

The shutdown impacted the Treasury Dept. and its Internal Revenue Service employees, the Dept. of Justice and its F.B.I. employees, the Office of Homeland Security and its Coast Guard employees, all working without pay.

Story Posted:01/26/2019