Alabama mayors share concerns amid government shutdown

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Mayors are urging Alabama’s congressional delegation to reopen the federal government. From food assistance to other funding, leaders said there is a lot on the line.

According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, food assistance will cease Saturday and will not be available until the government reopens.

“The sooner we get everything back, resolved and functioning, the better we’ll all like it,” said Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone.

Until the shutdown ends, Stone said he is most concerned about grant money for operations like sewer and water projects and public safety. While the money itself is not an issue, federal workers who process those requests could be furloughed.

“Well, if the employees that provide for the reimbursement processing are not available, then that creates some challenges for us in having timely reimbursement, which the longer it goes, could create some cashflow dynamics,” Stone said.

For Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, other challenges have to do with SNAP benefits and food stamps in his community. Fuller explained this could put a strain on the Food Bank of East Alabama. Fuller also said funding issues for workers like air traffic controllers could seriously impact travel.

“It is really, really critical, and you’ve got the holidays coming up,” Fuller said. “I understand there’s differences between Republicans and Democrats, but come on, y’all. We’re talking about families and children, folks that really need help, and the government needs to be open.”

Stone also serves as the executive director of the Higher Education Partnership. He explained the same funding concerns on the local level apply to universities, especially with research funding. Stone said close to 85% of employees at the U.S. Department of Education have been furloughed, but students have not been affected. 

“To process student loans, to make sure the paperwork for applications as it relates to FAFSA and other things, those are still happening,” Stone said. “We’re hopeful that that will continue to happen.”

Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Jeff Newton said the agency “remains fully operational and committed to serving our state’s 400,000 veterans.”