Government shutdown would fully close 34 state agencies

Thousands of state employees could get layoff notices as soon as Monday in preparation for a partial government shutdown. The Governor’s office ordered a contingency plan in case state lawmakers fail to pass a new, two-year operating budget by June 30, when the fiscal year ends.

“About two-thirds of all state agencies, boards and commissions will cease operations or be mostly shut down,” said Nicolas Brown, the Governor’s legal counsel.

During a briefing Thursday, the Governor’s chief of staff Mary Alice Heuschel said that 34 state agencies would shut down completely, including the Governor’s office, the Auditor’s office and the state Lottery. The Governor, himself, would remain on the job.

The plan calls for 24 agencies to shut down partially, including the Department of Ecology, Employment Security, Fish and Wildlife and the Health Department.

“The Department of Corrections estimates that approximately 3,000 of their 8,000 employees would be [laid off] and they’re an agency that has federal mandates to continue a large portion of their operations,” said Brown.

Services for the needy would be cut back, including child care subsidies and food and nutrition programs.

Twenty-five state agencies would remain open, including colleges and universities and departments that don’t rely on the operating budget for funding.

A separate transportation budget keeps the Department of Transportation open, along with the Department of Licensing.

The Governor’s chief of staff insists a partial government shutdown would affect every resident of the state.

“We have engaged in this process of emergency planning, just like an earthquake or any other kind of state emergency,” said Heuschel. “We need to have a comprehensive plan in case this occurs.”

If the legislature fails to approve a new operating budget by June 30, the state will initiate the partial government shut down the next day.