No more shutdowns

by J. Patrick Reilly

Now that the government shutdown is ending it is time to let our elected oficials know what happened was not acceptable and should not happen again.

The shutdown put the country in a mess and put undue stress on its citizens.  Our elected officials made it a political football and left so many of us  hanging.  We need to send them a message there are better solutions.   We need structural reforms that prevent them from happening in the first place.

One of the most effective steps Congress could take is adopting an automatic continuing resolution. That means if lawmakers can’t agree on a new budget, last year’s funding simply keeps rolling. It’s a common-sense safeguard that keeps essential services open, prevents disruptions to agricultural agencies, and ensures local governments — including counties like ours — don’t have to wait for Washington to resolve another standoff before federal dollars start flowing again.

Our federal lawmakers should also face real consequences for failing to pass a budget. When shutdowns occur, Iowa County residents bear the financial and emotional strain, while elected officials in Washington continue to receive their paychecks. Tying congressional pay to timely budgeting wouldn’t solve every problem, but it would at least put some of the pressure where it belongs: on the people who caused the gridlock.

Budgets are supposed to be negotiated — not weaponized.  Locally officials work through budgets for our schools, roads, law enforcement agencies, and human services. They don’t get to walk away simply because compromise is inconvenient. They sit down, they argue, they give a little, and they find a solution. 

Congress should be held to the same standard. 

Shutdowns are entirely avoidable. They are a choice  We depend on stability, It’s time for us to insist on reforms that make shutdowns a thing of the past.