Minn. officials still assessing shutdown impact

Published 10:35 am Wednesday, October 2, 2013

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota government officials say they’ve activated a special contingency team to assess the potential impact of the federal government’s partial shutdown.

Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter took the step Tuesday. He says it’s too soon to tell how the impasse in Washington would play out in Minnesota.

Some state agencies rely more heavily than others on federal funding and partnerships. And the service interruptions could change as the shutdown drags on.

Meanwhile, members of Congress are working to limit political damage from the shutdown by going without pay. Reps. Tim Walz, a Democrat, and Erik Paulsen, a Republican, as well as Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken were among those in the Minnesota delegation giving up paychecks during the shutdown or donating an equal amount to charity.