Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says the federal shutdown's impact on Idaho state programs has been modest so far but could intensify, if President Obama and Congress can't soon reach agreement on a stop-gap funding measure.
So far, 130 Idaho military division employees who get their paychecks from Washington, D.C. have been furloughed.
Including Idaho National Guard members, that number rises to 830 who are temporary off the job without pay.
Otter's spokesman, Jon Hanian, said Friday the Department of Health and Welfare's federal programs have largely been "front-loaded" — there's sufficient funding to last through the middle or end of October.
But if Obama, the U.S. House and Senate don't iron out differences, Hanian says, priorities including a nutrition program for women, infants and children could run out of cash.
