[kmalay]

What is the latest news about the shutdown?

[lucyjoy]

I haven't checked the paper today, but the last I heard, the plan to fire the higher ups disappeared and the plan to cut programs reappeared. I don't think it will pass. It doesn't look to good.

[mckenna]

i am out of the loop, what shut down are you talking about?

[lucyjoy]

Missouri cannot agree on a budget. Their fiscal year ends June 30. If they do not pass a new budget, they are talking about a government shut down. According to the Kansas City Star, "The governer wants $375 million in taxes and other revenue measures/ the republican majority wants no taxes." Most of the currant debate is over funding for schools. There's a lot of petty arguing between republicans and the governer, most of which has nothing to do with the issue. (These are not my opinions, but what has been said.)

Anyway, if the government shuts down, the big question becomes what happens to subsidy payments and the courts and how will this affect all the kids in care.

[mckenna]

thanks for the info, does that mean sw and others in the dfs office will not be reporting to work (as they may not be getting paid)? what happens to all the kids in care or might be coming into care?

[kmalay]

From what I have been told it could mean many of the caseworkers will not report to work because they will not get paid at least not normally. Last time I heard it was months before they received their back pay. It was the feeling of one worker that many caseworkers may actually quit and find other jobs. I sure hope not. I am very concerned as we have a couple of critical dates coming up in court. The July date is very important and it will definitely be effected if the shut down happens.

[lucyjoy]

The MO General Assembly passed a revised budget so it looks like the government will continue to operate.

[mckenna]

thanks for the update!

[kmalay]

Thanks Lucyjoy for the update. Another friend of mine just called me to let me too. Thank goodness because I don't think I could handle more delays. :>)

[lucyjoy]

According to the paper, the Governer intends to veto the school budget which I think means the whole budget fails to pass. Our
paper isn't very clear so it's hard to tell what's going on. Today's article only discussed the schools and what could happen to summer school and school in the fall if it fails to pass.

[kmalay]

Thanks for the update Lucyjoy even if it isn't good news. I sure hope they get things together. Of course if they shut down for a while things will get backlogged enough that maybe our case will be heard by the new judge that is coming in after Dec. :>) I am trying to be positive

[kmalay]

I am going out of town for the weekend and was wondering what the latest news is on the budget if anything so that I know what I will be looking at when I get back. I sure hope things get approved. We have a very important court date in 3 weeks and another one that is semi important sometime before that. I am praying they don't get delayed.

[lucyjoy]

The Newspapers are discussing the budget as in passing pieces, so I'm not sure how that works. Right now, it's the education portion of the budget that is being discussed and if schools will shut down. No one has mentioned anymore about a govt shutdown, only the educational system problems if the ed budget doesn't pass. The Gov gets to look accept or veto the budgets tomorrow. If the news has anything to say later tonight, I'll post it.

[kmalay]

Thank you so much Lucyjoy!

[lucyjoy]

The Gov signed the education bills, so there will not be a shutdown. If he hadn't, schools were likely to close and lawsuits were pending as to the order the budgets had to be passed which could have led to other shut-downs. That's the best I can understand it from the aricles in th KC Star. Anyway, the buget has been passed.