Minnesota politicians zero in on impacts of federal government shutdown

ST. PAUL — As the first federal government shutdown since 2019 sets in, Minnesota officials are working to understand its impact on the state.

On Thursday, Oct. 2, Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Management and Budget Director and Assistant Commissioner Ahna Minge discussed what’s known so far, expressing the most concern for the state’s federal employees and nutrition assistance programs.

Minnesota has roughly 18,000 federal employees — outside of the U.S. Postal Service and military personnel — most of whom are with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture, Minge said. While it’s unclear when and how many of the 18,000 could be affected, Minge said the state is expecting some of those employees to be furloughed.

Minge said contingency plans from the federal age