Photo by Chris Rief
Today, Mayor Vince Gray and D.C. Councilmembers had a breakfast meeting to discuss several issues, but mostly: What would happen to the city government in the event of a federal government shutdown?
That breakfast lingered into the lunch hour as the Council and Gray debated about possible plans of action if the city government is partially shutdown next week. As it stands, here’s what departments in the D.C. would be affected if there’s a partial government shutdown, according to a Power Point presented by city administrator Allen Lew:
- Department of Motor Vehicles: All locations will close.
- Department of Parks and Recreation: Recreation centers will close.
- Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs: Permitting and licensing functions will be suspended (inspections will continue, to the extent related to safety or health)
- Department of Public Works: Trash collection will not start until one week after shutdown and will be biweekly thereafter. Street sweeping will be suspended.
- Department of Transportation: Routine maintenance and repairs will cease. Emergency repairs will be made.
- DC Public Libraries: All libraries will be closed.
Of course, this isn’t the first time D.C. has faced a partial government shutdown, but this time, the mayor and the Council may not stand for it if it happens. “We’re not a federal agency,” Mayor Gray said at a press conference announcing recent HIV/AIDS statistics earlier today. “We’re not the Health and Human Services Department, or the Agricultural Department, or the Defense Department, or any of those agencies that [Office of Management and Budget] has oversight of. But yet, the way this thing is unfolding, it could result in this kind of experience for us once again.”
According to the Washington City Paper, at this morning’s meeting several Councilmembers entertained the idea of straight up breaking the law and not shutting down the local government if there is indeed a federal government shutdown. But the consequences of doing so could mean big trouble for Gray and the Council:
Because the District’s budget has to be approved by Congress, staying open without a law allowing the city’s money to be spent would violate the federal Anti-Deficiency Act. The consequences for defying the law could be dire: Attorney General Irv Nathan said at the meeting that the mayor and city employees would be eligible for fines and two years in prison. More seriously for the District at large, Nathan said breaking the law could lead to the dissolution of the Home Rule Act and Gray’s exit from office.
Mayor Gray is expected to announce his shutdown plan sometime tomorrow afternoon, his spokesperson Pedro Ribeiro said.
