East Bay leaders call for federal government shutdown to end

"Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said the government shutdown has left thousands of employees working at the federal building, the federal courthouse, and the Oakland International Airport without pay. She added that there have been growing concerns about how the shutdown might impact Oakland's Head Start centers, which can serve up to 600 children in under-resourced communities, since the program relies on federal funds."

"The mayors of Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, Emeryville, Albany, and Piedmont said the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, has created a financial strain on federal workers in their cities. Of the 760,000 constituents in California's 12th Congressional District, 10,000 are federal workers, according to Simon."

"The Republicans and Democrats have blamed one another for the stoppage. "I want you to know that this is, in fact, a Republican shutdown," said the congresswoman. "While the Democrats continue to hold the line for the people of this country, the Republicans continue to not answer the call.""

On the 24th day of the federal government shutdown, Rep. Lateefah Simon and seven East Bay mayors gathered in Oakland to press for restoration of benefits for vulnerable residents. The mayors said the shutdown, which began Oct. 1, has placed financial strain on federal workers across Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, Emeryville, Albany and Piedmont. About 10,000 federal workers live in the 12th Congressional District. Officials reported thousands of federal employees working without pay, raised concerns about delayed Head Start funding, and warned of looming SNAP cuts amid high local food insecurity.

Read at The Oaklandside