Mayor Prepares for Federal Shutdown

(UPDATED 6 p.m.) — Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake met with cabinet members Friday afternoon to discuss city plans in case there is a temporary shutdown of the federal government because of a budget impasse.

"If the same thing was happening in city government we'd be thrown out of office for using the threat of a shutdown to score political points. It's just unconscionable," Rawlings-Blake said.  

In a press release issued from her office last night, Rawlings-Blake, a Democrat, blamed Republicans in Congress for a possible shutdown.

“I am deeply disappointed that Republicans in Congress seem unwilling to work across party lines to resolve the federal budget," Rawlings-Blake said.  “It is absolutely unacceptable to hold the people’s government hostage because of ideological differences. This is a very serious matter that has very real implications on people’s lives.”