“We hope that this key message will resonate during this shutdown: the 702,000 residents of Washington, DC, who pay the highest taxes per capita to the federal treasury, are stepping up to cover federal services during the shutdown, while we are the only citizens within the continental United States without a vote in Congress,” Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote to President Donald Trump after Christmas Day.
Bowser stated that the government’s third shutdown in less than a year will affect D.C. residents, businesses, and contractors -- and the 170,000 federal employees who work in Washington, D.C. “pay the highest price.”
According to WTOP, the federal Office of Personnel Management “is offering advice to federal workers who cannot pay their bills due to the shutdown holding up their paychecks:"
Feds, here are sample letters you may use as a guide when working with your creditors during this furlough. If you need legal advice please consult with your personal attorney. https://t.co/t6h6OzALsS
— OPM (@USOPM) December 27, 2018
In addition to federal workers that live and work in the capital, the U.S. Coast Guard will not receive paychecks, but will remain on duty.
City Steps Up During Government Shutdown
Bowser’s letter indicated that D.C. municipal services will remain open, taking over responsibilities like trash removal and snow clearing for certain federal agencies. Trash removal at federally-owed parks will cost the city about $46,000 a week, she noted.
WTOP also reported that Bowser announced D.C. will ensure Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare providers and beneficiaries continue normal operations, for at least 30 days.
Access the letter via Twitter:
.@realDonaldTrump: On behalf of the more than 702,000 residents and many businesses in Washington, DC, I urge you to work with Congress to bring an immediate end to the current partial federal government shutdown. pic.twitter.com/dCYpFN68X7
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) December 26, 2018
“Regardless what happens at the federal level, D.C. Government will be open for business,” Bowser said.
