“It’s unfortunate, but we’ve gotten used to these now.”
Paul Isely is associate Dean in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. He says if the government shutdown drags on, it can slow local economic growth
“Really, it has to last for longer; more than a week, probably more than two weeks before those effects become permanent.”
Those effects? Business and consumer uncertainty. But Isely says this federal government shutdown is a little different, with President Trump threatening to lay off some government workers permanently.
“Which hasn’t happened before, and so we’re waiting to see how that plays out.”
Isely says while it’s not yet time to be overly concerned, people should be prepared.
“You need to be thinking about how do you cut back a smidge. How do you try and proof yourself against an economic slowdown? It’s easier for people in higher incomes than lower incomes, but everybody has to think about it.”
Most essential workers, such as TSA agents and active-duty military personnel, will not be paid during the shutdown, but do receive back pay once the shutdown is over.
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