Florida
How would a potential government shutdown affect South Florida?
With a government shutdown looming, many around South Florida may be wondering if that shutdown goes forward, how will it affect us here?
Experts tell WPTV reporter Michael Hoffman some government programs would not be affected by a potential shutdown. But the nearly 90,000 federal workers in Florida could feel the effects.
Tonight, time is of the essence in Washington as lawmakers work to reach an agreement on a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. This, after Congress voted down a Trump-backed proposal. As lawmakers scramble, people in South Florida are concerned about the impact of a shutdown.
“I just think that it’s going to cause a little bit of problems,” said Michael Guarneiri of West Palm Beach.
“I don’t know how exactly it’ll affect me,” said Brian McDermott.
So, let’s break it down. Essential services like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, USPS and SNAP would not be affected. However, national parks and monuments would close.
The biggest impact would be on federal workers, including 88,000 federal employees in Florida. Those deemed essential would work without pay until a deal is reached.
Non-essential federal employees would be furloughed.
“For a lot of federal workers in South Florida and the Treasure Coast, that paycheck isn’t coming,” said WPTV political analyst Brian Crowley. “They still have to pay the mortgage, they still have to buy groceries, they still have to pay the electric bill, and, you know, they’re not going to be very happy about this. I think immediately for the average resident of South Florida, the Treasure Coast, there’s nothing for them to be concerned about. However, if your spouse or significant other is working for the federal government and their paycheck isn’t arriving, then it impacts the entire family.”
Once explained, it became clear for many I met today that their benefits are not at risk either way.
“Thank you, because I was concerned,” said Guarneiri.
“You’ve pretty much helped me understand it a little bit better, how it could affect just everyday people,” said McDermott. “So I think just educating themselves on how it could affect them or family members and just everybody in general is important.”
On Friday night, the House has passed the bill to avoid a government shutdown by a wide majority of 366-34, before sending the vote to the Senate.
Scripps Only Content 2024
-
Now Playing
Evacuations underway as crews battle multiple wildfires in Georgia and Florida
04:45
-
UP NEXT
Northeast blasted with sudden snow and freezing temperatures
01:41
-
Millions Clean up Destructive Aftermath of Severe Midwest Storms
02:03
-
Tornado touches down in Minnesota while historic flooding threatens Wisconsin
02:09
-
Deadly weather slams Midwest
01:56
-
Early Spring Heat Wave Scorches Nearly Half of the United States
03:46
-
Dangerous tornadoes rip across Midwest
01:53
-
Massive tornadoes tear across Midwest
01:59
-
Dangerous weather continues to slam parts of the country
01:26
-
Dangerous storms rip across country’s center
01:30
-
Historic floods batter Hawaii
01:22
-
Hawaii Faces Worst Flooding in 20 Years; Thousands Evacuate
00:20
-
Major flood emergency prompts mass evacuations and rescues in Hawaii
01:51
-
Thousands ordered to evacuate as dam nears failure on Oahu
01:50
-
Potentially record-setting heat wave scorches western United States
01:46
-
Midwest slammed by record-shattering blizzard
02:19
-
Powerful storm system slams Midwest as East Coast braces for impact
02:36
-
Millions Face Extreme Weather With Possible Blizzards, Tornadoes
00:46
-
Violent March weather
01:40
-
Two killed in tornado outbreak
01:58
NBC News NOW
-
Now Playing
Evacuations underway as crews battle multiple wildfires in Georgia and Florida
04:45
-
UP NEXT
Northeast blasted with sudden snow and freezing temperatures
01:41
-
Millions Clean up Destructive Aftermath of Severe Midwest Storms
02:03
-
Tornado touches down in Minnesota while historic flooding threatens Wisconsin
02:09
-
Deadly weather slams Midwest
01:56
-
Early Spring Heat Wave Scorches Nearly Half of the United States
03:46
Florida on Tuesday announced a criminal probe into whether artificial intelligence played a role in a deadly mass shooting at a university in the US state.
“If ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder,” Uthmeier said.
Florida law allows anyone who assists or counsels someone in the commission of a crime to be treated as an “aider and abettor” bearing the same responsibility as the perpetrator, according to Uthmeier.
In exchanges with ChatGPT, the accused shooter sought advice on what type of gun and ammunition to use, as well as where and when on campus a lot of people would likely be found, the state attorney general said during a press briefing.
“Last year’s mass shooting at Florida State University was a tragedy, but ChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime,” an OpenAI spokesperson said.
A massive wildfire in Putnam County in northern Florida left Amtrak passengers stranded on a train for more than 24 hours.
One train heading to New York City was forced to turn around, arriving back in Miami Monday night, including one passenger who said he had been on that train for about 38 hours.
He says he and other passengers were left uncertain about what was going on.
“Angry, confused, uncertain, in the dark,” said John Reardon.
Reardon, who lives in New York City, says he boarded the train around 7 a.m. Sunday to go back home. He said around 3 p.m. Sunday, the train stopped near Jacksonville.
“Finally, after about 5 hours, they said we’re not going to New York, we’re going back to Miami,” Reardon said. “One stop at a time.”
Amtrak said for the safety of its passengers, the train couldn’t continue going north because of the fire.
“Amtrak sends a notification to the phone saying, ‘Hey, there’s an issue with the wildfire, it’s too close to the railway,’” said passenger Katrinia Wheeler.
Multiple crews are battling multiple fires in two Florida counties, leaving at least 3,000 acres burned.
“I saw that there was a lot of smoke coming from the woods, and then I saw the fire trucks and emergency services,” Wheeler said.
The train that left Miami at 7 a.m. on Sunday returned around 9 p.m. on Monday, leaving passengers frustrated.
Amtrak corporate says they made the decision out of safety for their customers and said customers would receive full refunds and vouchers.
-
Alaska6 minutes agoAlaska Senate committee unveils crime bill package in final weeks of the legislative session
-
Arizona12 minutes agoThis Arizona Red Rock Formation Looks Exactly Like a Peanuts Character
-
Arkansas18 minutes agoBankers: Arkansas Farmers Walking A Tightrope That Gets Thinner Each Season
-
California24 minutes agoFederal appeals court blocks California law requiring federal agents to wear identification
-
Colorado30 minutes agoImmigration officer charged after shoving protester to ground in Colorado
-
Connecticut36 minutes agoNew Rankings Reinforce Connecticut’s Decades-Long Affordability Problem
-
Delaware42 minutes agoHumane Society of Delaware County picks new CEO
-
Florida48 minutes agoEvacuations underway as crews battle multiple wildfires in Georgia and Florida