The federal government has now been shut down for over a week. Across the country, its effects are felt, from daily routines like mail delays to more unique scenarios like airport delays. However, the effects at the local level have yet to be thoroughly felt, according to Kansas State political science department head Dr. Nathaniel Birkhead. Birkhead said if the shutdown continues for longer than a couple of weeks, the impacts could be severe. 

“Federal workers have been furloughed, so that means that they are not working and they’re not getting paid,” Birkhead said. “If we have a shutdown for a week or two, that’s not really going to affect people too much.” 

However, Birkhead warned that if it continues much longer than that, federal employees could start to struggle financially, which could impact the broader community as the federal government is the biggest employer in the country. 

“There are many federal employees that are here in the area,” Birkhead said. “It’s going to be harder for them to afford rent or to pay their mortgage. That could slow down business activity as well. You’re far less likely to go out to dinner or go to a football game or something like that if you’re financially uncertain.”

The next to be affected will be grants and government-funded programs. 

“The federal government funds a whole lot of different programs and initiatives that occur through grants and other things that help out local nonprofits, meaning that whether or not they get the funding as well is very uncertain,” Birkhead said.

Government shutdowns can ultimately harm political engagement, and Birkhead said it can “decrease people’s trust in the government,” which may make them “less likely to engage civically.”

“That is consequential because we need people to be engaged in politics and elections,” he said.

While the effects begin to be felt by the Manhattan community in small ways, residents continue to problem-solve. 

“The Riley County Women, Infants, and Children office receives funding from the USDA,” Vivieene Leyva, public information officer at Riley County, said. “The office is currently open but is expected to run out of funding for staff salaries on Friday, Oct. 10.” 

However, Leyva said Health Department director Diane Creek will request Workforce Development grant funds, which are federal funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other acts, and are administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Creek hopes to request those funds and other unencumbered funds at the Board of Riley County Commissioners meeting on Oct. 9. These grants will hopefully support the Women, Infants, and Children office salaries “so they can continue to serve clients.” 

Other important government facilities such as the Manhattan Regional Airport continue to operate smoothly. 

“As of Oct. 8, Brandon Keazer, our airport director, reports no impacts in flight delays or cancellations due to the government shutdown at Manhattan Regional Airport,” Andrew Lawson, communications manager and public information officer for the City of Manhattan, said.

Birkhead encourages people to keep using their voices to ensure democratic representation in government is not lost.

“We need them to be calling and visiting their members of Congress and talking to their legislators,” he said. “People would be right to distrust government, but I hope that they stay engaged in the process anyway. That kind of engagement is critical for people to actually make sure their policies reflect their values.”