Personal impacts of shutdown felt in Corridor
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (CBS2/FOX28) — A recent study found Iowa is one of the least affected states by the government shutdown. But that's little comfort to the employees caught in the middle of all this. At the federal building in Cedar Rapids, many workers missed their first paycheck last week.
U.S. Marshal Kenneth Runde, who himself is set to retire this week, is now waiting to find out if his confirmed replacement will take over. Runde says paperwork awaiting President Trump's signature is on hold because may staffers handling the paperwork have been furloughed. Runde says he's willing to stay on the job if asked until the new U.S. Marshal can assume his duties. "Many of the employees only have one income," said Runde. "And some of the employees both are federal employees and neither one of them are getting a paycheck and that puts them in a bind."
Things are a little better off on the courtroom side of the federal building. Clerk of Court Robert Phelps says backup funding has kept them operating so far, but that money runs out Friday. Because Cedar Rapids is a relatively small federal operation, they plan to designate all employees as essential, requiring them to continue working without a paycheck. Phelps says they are constitutionally required to keep the courts open no matter what. But Phelps admits that if the shutdown lasts much longer, impacts will be felt by his staff.
