So I get that times are tough but you would think that a news agency could find a few people that are suffering a little more missing a poker game or the parks closed.. I just can't believe that a single mom who is getting a check would need to call the state for a crisis.... I just don't get it...
Minnesota residents suffer in government shutdown
By Tami Luhby @CNNMoney July 1, 2011: 6:12 PM ET
The Minnesota government shutdown means Cherise Payton can't turn to her caseworkers if there is a crisis in her family.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Minnesota residents are far from pleased about their state's government shutdown.
For some, it means no fun in sun during the warm holiday weekend since the state parks and zoo are closed. For others, it means no job since more than 20,000 state employees were laid off. And for still others, it means no safety net since caseworkers aren't answering their phones.
All but essential state government services ceased on Friday after Governor Mark Dayton and Republican lawmakers failed to resolve their budget dispute before the new fiscal year began.
The governor wants to close the $3.6 billion budget shortfall by raising taxes on the wealthiest 1.9% of Minnesotans. Republicans want to limit spending.
But it's Minnesotans like Virginia Becker who are feeling the impact. The Minnetonka resident won't be able to continue to her twice-weekly poker game at Canterbury Park race track. The shutdown means thousands of people are out of a job or out of luck if they wanted to go to the track during the busy holiday weekend, she said.
"It's a beautiful facility where thousands of people enjoy the short summer in Minnesota and now it's closed," Becker said. "It's the worst weekend it could have happened."
The state shutdown also ruined Becker's daughter's plans. She was supposed to camp in one of Minnesota's parks over the weekend, but will now stay home since the parks are all closed.
For Cherise Payton, the shutdown could have been much worse. The single mother who was recently homeless feared that she would not receive state aid to pay her rent. She learned Friday that she would get her check over the weekend, but she's still on edge because she cannot reach her state caseworkers.
"If a crisis comes up, who do I call?" said Payton, who lives in Duluth with her three teenagers.
Minnesota residents suffer in government shutdown
By Tami Luhby @CNNMoney July 1, 2011: 6:12 PM ET
The Minnesota government shutdown means Cherise Payton can't turn to her caseworkers if there is a crisis in her family.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Minnesota residents are far from pleased about their state's government shutdown.
For some, it means no fun in sun during the warm holiday weekend since the state parks and zoo are closed. For others, it means no job since more than 20,000 state employees were laid off. And for still others, it means no safety net since caseworkers aren't answering their phones.
All but essential state government services ceased on Friday after Governor Mark Dayton and Republican lawmakers failed to resolve their budget dispute before the new fiscal year began.
The governor wants to close the $3.6 billion budget shortfall by raising taxes on the wealthiest 1.9% of Minnesotans. Republicans want to limit spending.
But it's Minnesotans like Virginia Becker who are feeling the impact. The Minnetonka resident won't be able to continue to her twice-weekly poker game at Canterbury Park race track. The shutdown means thousands of people are out of a job or out of luck if they wanted to go to the track during the busy holiday weekend, she said.
"It's a beautiful facility where thousands of people enjoy the short summer in Minnesota and now it's closed," Becker said. "It's the worst weekend it could have happened."
The state shutdown also ruined Becker's daughter's plans. She was supposed to camp in one of Minnesota's parks over the weekend, but will now stay home since the parks are all closed.
For Cherise Payton, the shutdown could have been much worse. The single mother who was recently homeless feared that she would not receive state aid to pay her rent. She learned Friday that she would get her check over the weekend, but she's still on edge because she cannot reach her state caseworkers.
"If a crisis comes up, who do I call?" said Payton, who lives in Duluth with her three teenagers.
