Local impact of a potential government shutdown

The government inches closer to a potential shutdown. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have until midnight, September 30th, to reach a deal. If not, a partial shutdown could have impacts locally.

Essential services such as social security, Medicare, and airports are typically excluded. A local economist tells Local 3, the average person will not feel an impact.

"Government shutdown occurs because there’s a debt limit and the federal government can only borrow up to come amount. And they’re borrowing all the time, and hence, they hit that limit, they have to stop and get reauthorization. So the government shuts down because everyone is out of money," said Howard Wall, Director and Chief Economist at UTC.

Some federal workers will be furloughed and not paid until the shutdown is over.