Government shutdown

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A government shutdown occurs when a government discontinues providing services that are not considered "essential." Typically, essential services include police, fire fighting, armed forces, and corrections.

A shutdown can occur when a legislative body (including the legislative power of veto by the executive) cannot agree on a budget financing its government programs for a pending fiscal year. In the absence of appropriated funds, the government discontinues providing non-essential services at the beginning of the affected fiscal year. Government employees who provide essential services, often referred to as "essential employees", are required to continue working.

[edit] Notable government shutdowns in the United States

Note that in the list of "essential" services above, police and firefighting are largely state and/or locally funded, so are not an issue in federal shutdowns.

• United States Federal government shutdown of 1981
• United States Federal government shutdown of 1984
• United States Federal government shutdown of 1990
• United States Federal government shutdown of 1995, November 14 – November 19, 1995 ^{[1] [2]}
• United States Federal government shutdown of 1995, December 16, 1995 – January 6, 1996 ^[3]
• 2005 Erie County, NY shutdown^[4]
• 2005 Minnesota state shutdown, during the first two weeks of July 2005^[5]
• 2006 Puerto Rico budget crisis
• 2006 New Jersey State Government shutdown
• 2007 Pennsylvania State Government shutdown^[6][7]
• 2007 State of Michigan Government Shutdown

[edit] External links

• Government Report on Government Shutdowns
• More Government documents on 1995 shutdown

[edit] References

1. ^ Federal shutdown
2. ^ frontline: the clinton years: nightline transcript: government shutdown battle | PBS
3. ^ CNN - Government shutdown II - Dec. 18, 1995
4. ^ BUDGET MESS HITS CULTURAL GROUPS, The Buffalo News, Feb. 7, 2005; COUNTY LEADERS BRACE FOR CLOSINGS, The Buffalo News, Feb. 21, 2005; SERVICES SHUT DOWN AS COUNTY FAILS TO PAY UP, The Buffalo News, Jul. 3, 2005
5. ^ Minnesota Experiences Unprecedented Government Shutdown Due to Budget Deadlock - July 11, 2005 Vol.6, No.14 - OMB Watch
6. ^ Pa. State Agencies Back in Operation After Budget Deal Struck
7. ^ http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1184382616242591.xml