City of Austin says government shutdown 'placing additional pressure' on city, nonprofits

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a new memo, the city of Austin detailed how it expects the ongoing federal government shutdown to impact Central Texas nonprofits and government agencies.

"The Federal Government Shutdown has now become the second-longest in U.S. history. For context, the longest shutdown on record lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. Given the current pace of negotiations, the record is at risk of being surpassed," Carrie Rogers, the Austin Government Relations Officer, wrote.

Rogers highlighted the potential stoppage of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit distribution, which the city says would place more pressure on local nonprofits and governments.

"In Travis County, the potential loss of SNAP benefits would affect approximately 44,895