The Record’s online poll from Jan. 4 - 11 asked readers whether they have been personally affected by the government shutdown.
Hays County and the surrounding areas were starting to feel the weight of the longest federal government shutdown in American history, as the dispute between President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats over funding for a wall on the Mexican border continued.
Nationally, the shutdown has left approximately 800,000 federal workers without pay – many workers are on the job but receiving no pay, while others are furloughed, meaning they are on forced unpaid leave.
On the local level, places like the San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center (SMARC), Texas Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, The Austin/San Antonio Weather Forecast Office in New Braunfels and the Caldwell-Hays-Comal County Farm Service Agency in Lockhart have been closed or are operating with only essential employees.
The shutdown also threatened approximately 10,000 companies – that provide approximately $200 million a week worth of work – that hold contracts with federal agencies affected by the shutdown.
The shutdown has also caused a lapse in federal services residents rely on like SNAP. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is issuing February SNAP benefits early but many who count on the program could be forced to spread their February benefits over 40-50 days, depending on when the next issuance is scheduled.
The poll asking, “Have you been personally affected by the government shutdown?” received a total of 63 votes, with the majority of votes — 76 percent or 48 votes — going to option “No, I have not been affected by the government shutdown.” Fourteen percent of voters, or nine votes, chose, “Yes, the shutdown has affected a federal program I rely on,” and 10 percent or six votes chose, “Yes, I am a federal government employee affected by the shutdown.”
A majority of poll voters have not had their personal finances affected by the government shutdown, but 14 percent have had federal programs they rely upon affected and another 10 percent of voters are federal workers that have been affected by the shutdown. Every week, the Record gives its readers the opportunity to voice their opinions on different topics. This poll does not, and does not purport to, accurately depict public opinion. It is only intended to inspire thought-provoking discussion within the community.
SMDR’s new poll is available online now, and asks for reader’s opinions on whether they think the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court made the right decision in denying the 2019 Float Fest festival permits due to “substantial danger of congestion and the disruption of other lawful activities in the immediate vicinity of the festival.” It can be voted on now.
