Mass. officials prepping for payroll disruptions during possible government shutdown

"Officials from the state Office of the Comptroller and the Executive Office of Administration and Finance sent a memo this week to fiscal officers, budget directors, and general counsels throughout the state government asking them to engage in contingency planning. The recipients of the memo need to respond by the end of the day next Tuesday summarizing how their agencies will "protect Commonwealth residents and resources" in the event of a shutdown."

"They should "not assume that additional state funding will be available," but should outline any state funding that would be required for Massachusetts to "take on responsibility for critical federal programs." A shutdown would necessitate that federal agencies stop "all non-essential discretionary functions" until new funding legislation is signed into law. The state's General Federal Grants Fund, which is "itemized on a grant-by-grant and account-by-account basis," is most at-risk in a shutdown."

State fiscal officials were directed to begin contingency planning and to report by next Tuesday how agencies will protect Commonwealth residents and resources during a shutdown. Agencies were instructed not to assume additional state funding and to identify any state funding needed to assume critical federal program responsibilities. A shutdown would halt all non-essential discretionary federal functions until new funding is enacted, placing the General Federal Grants Fund, itemized grant-by-grant and account-by-account, at high risk. Agencies were asked to contact federal partners for disruption updates and prepare to discontinue spending if grant continuation appears unlikely, including impacts on bi-weekly payroll for federally funded employees.

Read at Boston.com