What impact does the partial shutdown of the federal government have on Texas Counties? We asked Penny Redington, executive director of the Texas Association of Regional Councils, to share her thoughts on the county connection:
“What we are hearing today from federal and state agencies is some degree of reassurance that service delivery and provider reimbursement processes for those programs most affecting local governments will continue. The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) advises that for the immediate future, programs serving Texans who are older and those with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities will continue uninterrupted. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicates that criminal justice grant programs such as Byrne JAG, Juvenile Justice, Violence Against Women and Community Policing will not have new funding but can continue operating with carryover funds from FY2013. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advises that Non-Emergency FEMA disaster grants as well as State and Local government grants will not have new funding. One caveat is that for now, we are in a very preliminary phase. Short-term inconveniences could, however, become long-term problems should the funding lapse continue.”