What might change if the showdown turns to shutdown
06/19/2005
Conrad Defiebre,
Star Tribune
June 19, 2005
It’s that time of year when we usually tell you how you’ll be affected by what the Legislature has done. This year, however, it’s what the Legislature hasn’t done that needs looking into, now that a partial government shutdown looms if the current staredown at the State Capitol isn’t resolved.
As you might have guessed, the state will still collect taxes, but spending the money requires legislative appropriations or special exemptions for vital functions. The operations that might keep going in a shutdown haven’t all been determined yet, but here are some likely scenarios for ordinary Minnesotans if the lights go dim in St. Paul.
If you’ve “gotta go” when you’re on the go on state highways ... Try crossing your legs until you get home.
The state’s 88 roadside rest stops would be closed.
If you’re planning a camping vacation at the Mississippi headwaters ... Start looking up the nearest KOA. Itasca State Park and the rest of the parks, campsites and picnic grounds in the state system would be shut down.
If you’re waiting for results of tests that measure your school’s performance against federal standards ... You might wait awhile longer. That bureaucratic chore could get Left Behind by a greatly reduced staff at the Department of Education.
If all this stress is getting to you and your HMO denies your mental health treatment ... You wouldn’t get your complaint heard by state regulators.
If you’re a farmer in need of a low-interest loan from the Rural Finance Authority ... Maybe the Money Store is your best bet. State ag loans would be suspended.
If you want to idle some of your farmland under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) ... You might want to plant crops after all. The Board of Water and Soil Resources would be closed, suspending processing of CREP applications and landowner payments.
If you’re a consumer with a business complaint ... Look for help somewhere other than the Department of Commerce. Its consumer protection services would be interrupted, although the attorney general’s will continue.
If you’re ready to get your first Minnesota driver’s license ... Better act fast. Driver testing and issuance of new licenses would be interrupted July 1, but renewals will still be processed.
If you’re planning a career in real estate ... Don’t quit your day job yet. New license applications for real estate agents and brokers, insurance agents and others wouldn’t be processed by Commerce, but renewals will be.
If you’re a vendor who sells fishing licenses and you have trouble with the computer system ... You would need to send your customers somewhere else. The DNR’s troubleshooters for licensing would not be at work.
If you’re a dislocated worker in search of new employment ... Don’t count on help from the state. Job services would be shut down.
If you’re blind or injured and in need of vocational rehabilitation ... Same story. Those services aren’t considered essential.
If you need health insurance from the state plan for the working poor ... Get your application in now. New filings for MinnesotaCare wouldn’t be processed after June 30, but county offices will still sign people up for Medical Assistance and General Assistance Medical Care.
If you’re choking on toxic emissions from the factory next door ... Try holding your breath. The Pollution Control Agency would delay responding to complaints and wouldn’t be issuing air and water quality permits.
If you’re carless in Carlos ... Stock up on shoe leather. Rural transit systems wouldn’t be reimbursed by the state, possibly affecting service.
If you’re stuck in traffic on a Twin Cities freeway ... You would have to guess how long it will take to reach your exit. Message boards and traffic information would be suspended.
If you’ve just finished your training ... You wouldn’t be able to get licensed as an audiologist, alcohol and drug counselor, food manager or occupational therapist, but existing licenses will be renewed.