Even though the government is now shut down, people traveling to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport may not feel the impact just yet. So far, it’s business as usual at Sky Harbor.
A spokesperson with the airport told KJZZ that they do not anticipate many visible impacts to operations due to the federal government shutdown. That’s because most essential federal workers, including air traffic controllers, are required to continue working without pay.
The National Air Traffic Controller Association urged its members to “rise to the occasion and continue delivering the consistent, high-level of public service” provided on a daily basis.
“Congress must act now to end this shutdown," said NATCA President Nick Daniels. “When the federal government shuts down it introduces unnecessary distractions and our entire aviation system is weakened. Congress must restore federal funding so that the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System is not compromised."
In the last government shutdown, 10 air traffic controllers called in sick after more than a month. Their absence eventually triggered an end to the shutdown.
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Nearly 1,800 formerly homeless Arizonans could be at risk of losing shelter as the Trump administration seeks a major overhaul of federal funding for homelessness programs.
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FEMA has awarded about $700,000 to Arizona and the Havasupai Tribe to fund hazard mitigation projects. The money came from a program the federal agency had nixed but was reinstated by the courts earlier this year.
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Phoenix households cut from SNAP can apply for a $600 credit toward their APS or SRP electric bill and $100 for gas or public transportation.
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Planned Parenthood Arizona clinics are once again providing care for patients insured through Medicaid. Services for Medicaid patients had been on pause since September.
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The U.S. Agriculture Department says Arizona’s error rate for food stamp applications was 10.8%; that’s higher than the national rate of 10.6%. If that number doesn’t come down, it’ll cost the state in penalties, thanks to provisions in the "Big Beautiful Bill Act."