Sandoval: Prolonged shutdown will devastate Nev.
By Anjeanette Damon and Andrew Doughman, Las Vegas Sun
CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval said Wednesday Nevada is in danger of “catastrophic” consequences if the federal government shutdown persists until the end of the month.
Most state agencies are able to continue federal programs until the end of the month, Sandoval was told in a mini-cabinet meeting today. But the cash-strapped state is already beginning to rack up a significant bill keeping essential programs running without the guarantee of the federal government reimbursing the costs.
“Particularly at the end of the month, I think that’s really when we are going to start to see … some catastrophic issues going on for the state,” Sandoval said.
“Time is short. We have hundreds of thousands of Nevadans facing real consequences. The first of the month is right around the corner.”
Most immediately, 362,000 food stamp recipients will see their benefits halt on Nov. 1 and the 500 state employees who administer that program will face potential furloughs if the shutdown is not resolved. About 74,000 women, infants and children would also stop seeing food benefits.
To continue both programs without federal money would cost the state $50 million a month.
“We don’t have it,” Sandoval said, of the state’s $6.1 billion biennial budget. “We can’t afford it.”