State Representative Discusses Shutdown

In the third day of the government shutdown, more Americans are beginning to see affects. For the past sixteen years the government hasn’t had a federal budget and has been relying on continuing resolutions. These resolutions last from a week to a year, but are not permanent and quickly expire. I had the opportunity to talk to our State Representative Jason Isaac about the partial shutdown. Isaac discusses which Texas State students will be affected by the shutdown of the government.

“In Texas, I don’t think it’s gonna have any impact on college students. I know there are veterans that are college students that make up a pretty good percentage of the population there at Texas State. From what I understand their services are still being delivered if they’re receiving any grants or scholarships.”
-Jason Isaac

Although veterans are still receiving grants and scholarships, a grocery store on a base in Afghanistan has been shut down because of the lack of funding. Isaac is a huge advocate for veterans and describes how they are feeling…

“As far as my understanding goes there’s a base in Afghanistan that’s on complete shut down… they feel vulnerable during this time.”

Isaac suggests the federal government run like the Texas government does. The Texas congress meets 140 days every other year so there’s more times for politicians to think about ideas that may benefit people.

“Texas should be a shining star. Again, we have 8-9 billion dollars in a rainy day fund. Our credit rating just got updated to the highest possible…”

One of the things Isaac adds is that President Obama has sole discretion over what still gets funded during the shutdown besides the necessary departments. Medical clinical research has been put on pause, The center for Disease Control and Prevention is not able to fund flu season, the food and drug administration has had to cease some of their departments, among many other agencies.

Hannah Cramer, KTSW News.