House speaker John Boehner is calling on the White House and Senate Democrats to pass a one-week stop-gap bill that would keep the government operating after midnight Friday, while funding the Pentagon for six months.
The Senate's top Democrat said the only thing standing in the way of a spending plan for the rest of the fiscal year is a Republican effort to cut federal money for Planned Parenthood.
In Lackawanna County, the government shutdown could affect our many parks, including the Steamtown National Museum and Historic Site.
The sign at Steamtown National Museum and Historic Site said "Open," but if the government shuts down, all operations would stop, and more than 60 workers would be affected.
The Mills family from Boston, has been going there for many years, and they said closing the place down would be awful.
"I think it's terrible. I think the congressmen should be the first ones that don't get paid when they can't act like big people and resolve their differences," said Debby Mills of Boston.
"It would be really sad if it closed down because we're losing a great park," said Samantha Mills.
"If you think about all the phenomenal work the National Park Service does in restoring all these trains and retaining our heritage, it's so sad to think that won't continue," said Graeme Mills.
It's not just visitors that would be affected by the government shutdown, businesses all along Lackawanna Avenue said they rely on tourists to stay open.
Jack Sweeney's shop, Scranton Hobby Center, is one of the oldest model train stores in the country. He said if there were a shutdown, and it dragged on, it would hurt his business during the one of the busiest times of the year.
"A lot of people do come downtown. They go to restaurants, they visit me, and I don't think they would be coming, if Steamtown's closed and there's no trains running. That would be a problem," Sweeney said.
A government shutdown would also mean people will not be allowed in their favorite national parks. That includes the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Outside the headquarters, it seemed like any other work day as the parking lot was filled with employee cars. Inside the park officials were preparing for a government shutdown. They were making lists of roads and trails that will be closed.
Back outside, a mother and daughter from Bushkill enjoyed a nearby trail in the park with their dog. Both hoping a government shutdown doesn't happen.
"This is really shocking and disturbing considering this is our national park and we should have use of it," said Valarie Petrycki.
She doesn't think lawmakers should ever allow the government to shutdown.
"We just started this trail last week and we absolutely love it! We found out there are 31 miles along the Delaware River. Me, my daughter and dog would love to do it every day," said Petrycki
David Gethings traveled nearly two hours from New Jersey to take in the park, worried about the possibility of finding the park closed.
"I know with the shutdown pending I was hoping to get out and see a little bit of the Water Gap before, God forbid, the shutdown actually does take place," said Gethings.
While a government shutdown would mean no one would be allowed on the 100 miles of hiking trails in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, park officials said law enforcement park rangers would still be patrolling the area.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment