The longest government shutdown in US history has ended, but it could take days — and in some cases a week or more — before normal operations resume. Payroll systems must be updated to pay out weeks of back wages. Backlogs of grant disbursements, loan applications and customer calls that went unanswered for 43 days will now need to be cleared. Delayed environmental permits, workplace inspections and contracting activities have stacked up across federal agencies. The work of re-opening the government couldn't officially launch until the funding bill has passed both chambers of Congress and had President Donald Trump's signature late Wednesday. The White House's budget office directed all federal employees who had been furloughed during the shutdown to return to work on Thursday. Our Managin

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