EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — City services remain uninterrupted as the shutdown nears its second week, the El Paso City Council was told during a work session on Monday, Oct. 13.
“If there is one take-away: City services remain uninterrupted as the shutdown continues; services to the public remain stable,” said Alejandra Gorski, legislative liaison focused on federal affairs.
Gorski made a quick presentation about the ongoing government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1 when Congress could not come to an agreement on spending. The main sticking point has been subsidies for the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare, Gorski said.
Gorski said she has no idea how long the shutdown will last because she doesn’t have a “crystal ball.”
But she did said the longest shutdown happened in 2018 and it lasted 35 days.
Gorski also said that the City continues to receive federal grant money that was already allocated.
She said that City staff made plans when it was clear that the federal government was heading to a shutdown to make sure that any impact would be minimal.
At El Paso International Airport, the impact has also been minimal so far, said Airport Director Tony Nevarez.
The City has been talking to air-traffic controllers and their managers every day, Nevarez said.
“They are very dedicated employees here in El Paso,” Nevarez said. “But the longer it goes the more difficult it will be.”
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