The U.S. federal government entered a partial shutdown at midnight on October 1, following Congress’s failure to pass a continuing resolution or a full appropriations bill by the September 30 deadline. Partisan disagreements over spending priorities prevented an agreement on a short-term funding measure. This is the first government shutdown since 2019, affecting non-essential federal operations and leading to the furlough of hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide until funding is restored.
In preparation for the shutdown, it was announced that proactive measures had been implemented to ensure Alaska’s readiness to continue essential services. Governor Dunleavy has directed all state executive branch departments to review federally administered programs and develop contingency plans to maintain critical services for residents. The state aims to minimize disruptions by leveraging available funds and adhering to the latest federal agency guidance.
According to the announcement, due to prior funding arrangements or authorizations, several essential programs are anticipated to continue functioning without disruption. These programs include Medicaid, Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance. The state maintains regular communication with federal partners to monitor developments. Adjustments to other programs may occur based on Congressional actions and directives from relevant agencies.
Officials in Alaska intend to follow a precedent established during previous shutdowns by ensuring that state-administered, federally funded programs continue to operate. The state will reassess the priorities of services essential for the public’s well-being and safety if the shutdown extends beyond one month or if there are changes in funding dynamics.
Employees in approximately 4,800 state executive branch positions that receive partial federal funding are expected to continue working and receiving their salaries until the federal government issues revised instructions.
To assist federal employees who may face furloughs, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development has released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. The document addresses concerns related to unemployment insurance and provides detailed instructions on how to apply and check eligibility.
State officials emphasize that, although the duration of the shutdown is uncertain, these preparations enable Alaska to protect essential services during the funding lapse.
Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected].
There is no crisis. The shutdown is for money to run the federal government for the next 30 days, no different than a continuing resolution. Moneys from the feds for program commitment was in place before the shutdown. The state of Alaska was already in money to run the state as their budget was finished by July 1, 2025. No issues there. Federal offices are closed.
This article is made to create a crisis thinking when there is none. Transportation is in tact and all protection and military services,
Democrats are putting on a comedy to include heartaches for extra medical for illegals and funds for miscellaneous problem programs that serve no purpose out of a federal budget.
As I pointed out, the state budget was done and intact as of July1, 2025.
The legislature finished their work and Dunleavy had what he needed for the next year budget work. They were not going to be intimidated into more fraud, waste and abuse by Dunleavy,
Yes he’s prepared!
Already has the Christmas wreaths hanging on the door of the Capitol Bldg.
Go Big Mike.
Did he buy the wreaths with your PFD? Is that where the other PFD money of $2700 went? Man I would love to see those wreaths!
There in the photo at the top of this article.
They look great.
Leave Michelle Obama out of this. 😉
That’s why the PFD was only $1,000
Dems needed the money to pass on to your public “servants”
In the modern world, the servants get your wealth.
But the more interesting preparation question is what Governor Dunleavy will do next year following eight lackluster years as Alaska’s CEO?
Excuse me! This was NOT partisan differences that caused the shutdown. Chuck Schumer owns this 100%.
Sounds like MRAK is acting like a desimp/faux MAGA conservative.
“If there is a shutdown, it would be a tremendously negative mark on the President of the United States. I hear the Democrats are gonna be blamed and the Republicans are gonna be blamed, I actually think the president would be blamed” – Donald Trump, 2011
The GOP controls the House, the Senate and the POTUS. Yea it’s the Democrats fault, just like Juneau which has a majority of GOP Members in both the Alaska Senate, and the Alaska House but when things fail it’s the Democrats fault. Is that the while of MAGA I hear they are RINOs!
Maybe the State can get caught up on the SNAP backlog?
What shutdown? Nothing in my life has changed. All this does is identify which federal workers we don’t actually need after all.
They can always look for work in the private sector.
Oh goody the Parks Highway will get worse between Huston and Willow! I looks like the worst patch job I have seen so far, if you are going to steal the PFD at least use it for road repair.