What a partial federal shutdown could mean for WA

OLYMPIA — As lawmakers in the other Washington scramble to avoid a partial federal government shutdown, leaders in Washington state are assessing the fallout that could hit home including the potential disruptions to health care and food assistance programs and uncertainty for thousands of federal workers.

Federal agencies are funded through Sept. 30, so Congress must pass a stopgap funding measure by midnight to avert a shutdown on Wednesday, Oct. 1. But a partisan impasse has puts that deadline in doubt, raising the risk of nationwide disruptions.

If no deal is reached, Washington state could feel the impacts across multiple sectors. State agencies, nonprofits and lawmakers are preparing for possible interruptions and funding gaps.

Political deadlock in D.C.

Last week, the House pass