Gov. Brownback issued a statement Friday saying his administration is committed to minimizing the effects of the shutdown. The governor says the state can juggle its cash reserves to fund programs that are usually sustained by federal dollars.
For example, the state had enough in its reserve for the governor to cancel furloughs for state workers who process unemployment benefits Friday.
The governor's spokeswoman, Eileen Hawley, says the juggling can't continue through November. Hawley says the state will not be able to give November benefits for the Women, Infants, and Children program, which helps poor mothers with young children buy food. She also says after mid-November, the state will not be able to provide cash assistance for poor families.
