The likelihood of a partial federal government shutdown has state budget gurus scrambling to figure out whether programs the states run with federal funding can continue.
Monday afternoon Washington Governor Jay Inslee said a lot depends on how long the standoff in "the other Washington" lasts.
"Immediate impacts of a federal shutdown on state government vary by agency and significantly by the duration of the potential shutdown," he said. "While immediate impacts to state agency operations will not be significant, a prolonged shutdown could significant affect state government operations."
Inslee says some services for the unemployed appear the most vulnerable if the federal government shutdown drags into next week.
The state transportation department also told the governor that delayed federal grants or permits could potentially sidetrack some highway construction projects.
Inslee says his state has a limited ability to temporarily backfill the federal share of joint programs.
Copyright 2013 Northwest News Network
