News Summary
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has cautioned that a federal government shutdown would have severe repercussions for workers, families, and small businesses in the state. With over 115,000 federal employees and millions relying on essential services like food programs, the potential impact is alarming. Hochul cites Congressional Republicans’ actions as the catalyst for the shutdown, which threatens healthcare coverage for many New Yorkers and could lead to significant costs for hospitals. Amid these challenges, the state will not fund the Statue of Liberty’s operations, contrasting with previous shutdowns.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has warned that a federal government shutdown will lead to “devastating effects on workers, small businesses, and families” throughout the state. With over 115,000 federal employees in New York, the repercussions of the shutdown will be felt widely. Millions of residents rely on federal food programs and various benefits, making the continued operation of these services crucial.
Several key concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the shutdown. The New York State Association of Counties, directed by Steve Acquario, has expressed bipartisan apprehension regarding the effects on local economies. Hochul has specifically attributed the shutdown to Congressional Republicans, accusing them of aligning with former President Donald Trump and neglecting essential government functions. She highlighted that the agenda presented by Fox could potentially strip 1.5 million New Yorkers of their health coverage.
In addition to health coverage concerns, approximately 300,000 New Yorkers face the risk of losing benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Furthermore, hospitals stand to incur over $3 billion annually in uncompensated care costs, which could overwhelm healthcare systems across the state. While essential federal employees, including air traffic controllers, TSA agents, border patrol agents, and military personnel, will continue to work during the shutdown, they will do so without pay.
Amid these challenges, Governor Hochul has made a notable decision regarding the Statue of Liberty. Unlike previous practices during shutdowns, the state will not use funds to keep the statue open. This contrasts with the 2018 shutdown when then-Governor Andrew Cuomo had allocated about $65,000 a day in state funds to maintain operations at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The Department of the Interior has indicated, however, that both landmarks will remain open despite the shutdown.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican from New York, has laid the blame for the shutdown on Democrats, indicating that they did not vote to keep the government operational. In response, Democrats defend their position by asserting they are advocating for healthcare protection while addressing accusations regarding their focus on funding free services for undocumented individuals.
Concerns are also being voiced by labor officials. Manny Pastreich, president of the 32BJ SEIU union, has stated that a government shutdown would severely impact unionized workers at the Statue of Liberty. Workers could potentially face evictions and hardships in providing for their families during this shutdown.
As the political landscape develops, Cuomo, who is currently running as an independent candidate for mayor of New York City, has reiterated his support for keeping the Statue of Liberty open during times of governmental turmoil. The ongoing situation remains fluid as leaders and lawmakers seek solutions to avoid the detrimental consequences of the shutdown for citizens in New York.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NBC News: White House Freezes $18 Billion New York City Infrastructure Funding
- Wikipedia: Government Shutdown
- New York Times: Government Shutdown Deadlock
- Google Search: Impact of Government Shutdown
- ABC7: Governor Hochul Rally – New York Democrats Government Shutdown
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Statue of Liberty
- USA Today: Statue of Liberty Dark During Government Shutdown
- Google News: New York Government Shutdown
- Gothamist: NY Won’t Pay to Keep Statue of Liberty Open During Federal Shutdown
- Time Out: U.S. Government Shutdown – NYC Museums and Parks That Could Close
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
