Business As Usual in Sewickley Despite Threats of Government Shutdown

As time continued to wind down this week, John Vorberger felt more certain a federal government shutdown would happen. Still, he held out hope that lawmakers could put aside their differences and come to an agreement.

“I think there's better than a 50 percent chance it'll shut down for a day or two," Vorberger of predicted before federal lawmakers reached a budget deal late Friday that will keep government operations running.

"Hopefully we don’t, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world."

Federal officials were prepared to shut down government services for the first time in 15 years -- in an emergency effort -- if a spending compromise to operate the federal government for the next six months was not reached by midnight. Lawmakers reached a compromise deal to avert the shutdown hours before it would have taken effect. A longer-term deal, still to be worked out, will be  voted on next week.

In the Sewickley area, local officials said a government shutdown wouldn't have had much effect on municipal business.  

Martha Smith, School District spokeswoman, said a shutdown wouldn't have interrupted any field trip plans or school programming. Two weeks ago, nine students from the middle school's H20 for Life Club took advantage of a last-minute invitation and traveled to World Water Day in Washington, D.C. They also attended Hilary Clinton’s address given at the World Bank.

The  would have continued to deliver mail because the U.S.  operates as a self-sufficient organization. According to AOL News, some immediate effects, such as the closing of national parks and museums, would have been noticeable almost immediately, while other services would have been delayed.

A shutdown could have affected individuals when it came to taxes, loans and passports. Employees at  pointed out that Federal Housing Administration loans would have been suspended, meaning that some people looking to buy a house may have been forced to wait a while.

Vivian Salters, of Moon Township, said she didn't think the government would reach the point of having to shut down. Had that happened, she said, ".... I will be upset if I don't get my little income tax return."

Vorberger said a government shutdown wouldn’t have affected him personally, but he suggested that lawmakers address entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare rather than haggling over small budget cuts.

“We’re talking about $20 or $30 billion dollars, which is like 1 percent of the budget. It’s not really significant.”