Federal Government Shutdown Takes Effect: Austin Services and Texas Reaction
The federal government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. this morning, after Congress failed to reach agreement on a funding measure before the September 30 deadline. This marks the first government shutdown since 2019, with uncertainty surrounding how long the impasse will last.
The shutdown means thousands of federal workers in Texas will head to work Wednesday without the promise of a paycheck until both parties in Congress can cut a deal to restore funding. Other federal civilian employees will be furloughed if their jobs are not deemed essential.
Texas is home to more federal civilian employees than all but three other states, counting over 130,000 workers as of September 2024. Most of the civilian workforce — which excludes uniformed military — is spread across five agencies: the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Army, the Air Force, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Treasury. Including uniformed personnel, the Defense Department employed more than 200,000 Texans last year. — Texas Tribune
The National Parks Conservation Association called for parks to be shuttered, saying that in some cases, the damage from keeping them open during the last shutdown was irreparable.
“NPCA will not stand by and watch history repeat itself… We know what happened last time park staff were forced to leave parks open and unprotected, and the impacts were disastrous… If the federal government shuts down, unfortunately our parks should too.” – Theresa Pierno, NPCA’s President & CEO
A potential federal funding lapse will lead to a work stoppage for nonessential personnel, including staff at Big Bend National Park, certain employees at the Veterans Benefits Administration regional offices in Houston and Waco, and Department of Agriculture service center officers across the state.
In contrast, other federal workers performing critical functions—such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at Texas airports, Border Patrol officers, providers at VA hospitals, and active-duty service members and civilian personnel at military installations like Fort Hood—are typically deemed essential and must report to work without pay. While they must work without immediate compensation, these essential workers, along with furloughed personnel, are guaranteed back pay once Congress restores federal funding, a guarantee put in place since 2019.
Texas hosts 15 active-duty military installations, including multiple Air Force bases, Army depots and Naval Air Stations.
Impact on Austin-Area Federal Services
Programs funded by mandatory or dedicated revenues will mostly continue. Examples that should keep running:
- Weather forecasts and severe-weather warnings
- Maritime operations like ship water-level monitoring and fishery work
- Patent processing (while reserves last)
- Military operations (troops will work but may be unpaid)
- Student aid disbursements (Pell Grants, Direct Loans)
- Medicare benefits and some CDC outbreak response activities
- Veterans’ medical care, pensions and crisis lines
- Air traffic control and customs enforcement (staff work but may not be paid during the shutdown)
But many activities will pause or slow down, including:
- New grant-making and research at Education and NIH
- Processing of certain SBA loan applications
- Most Census Bureau surveys and reports
- New EPA permits, guidance or non-urgent Superfund cleanups
- New defense contracts
- Some FDA approvals and NIH grant awards
- Most civil litigation at Justice and many training programs
- Routine inspections that aren’t tied to immediate danger (Labor/BLS data releases likely delayed)
While many essential services will continue, Austin residents can expect disruptions across multiple federal agencies and programs. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will continue working but without pay, joining thousands of federal workers across Texas facing financial strain.
Environmental Protection Agency operations will be reduced, potentially delaying permit processing and inspections. National parks and federal facilities may face closures or operate with limited staff. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is particularly vulnerable, with funding expected to run out quickly, affecting mothers and young children who depend on the food assistance program.
The federal government also uses “mandatory” spending to pay for the bulk of Texas’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, allowing states to sustain the benefits — previously known as food stamps — for about a month.
Social Security benefit payments should continue without interruption, though processing new benefit applications and issuing replacement cards will be paused, causing delays for new recipients.
Texas Projects in Jeopardy
The shutdown places approximately $675 million in funding for Texas projects at risk. The state’s congressional delegation had secured nearly 350 earmarks for infrastructure improvements, university research, and other initiatives, all now in limbo. These projects include improvements at universities like the University of Texas at Austin and various infrastructure upgrades across the state.
Partisan Blame and Political Stalemate
The shutdown stems from a partisan divide, with both parties accusing the other of refusing to compromise. Republican leaders have indicated they will continue holding votes on their stopgap funding measure, hoping to gain Democratic support as the shutdown continues. Democrats, meanwhile, have criticized Republican proposals and accused the administration of intimidation tactics.
“As it affects us locally, the Republicans tried to work on a stopgap solution. The Democrats, of course, used that to jockey for Obamacare expansion and things like that that we settled maybe a decade ago.” — Andy Hogue, Travis County GOP
“My message for all of my colleagues is let’s serve the American people. We can fund the government if we stop giving out billionaire tax cuts and we don’t have to jack up health care costs for somebody watching at home by $10,000 next year.” — U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat from Austin
Texas lawmakers have not issued unified statements on the shutdown, reflecting the broader congressional divide. The state’s large congressional delegation remains split along party lines on how to resolve the funding crisis.
Congressional negotiators must now work to reach agreement on a spending bill to reopen the government. Until then, federal agencies will operate in crisis mode, with only essential functions continuing and thousands of federal workers across Texas and the nation facing uncertainty about their next paycheck.
A man was arrested in connection to a September 13 murder in Georgetown that left three people, including an 8-year-old child, dead, officials said.
Raul Franco Jr., 26, was charged with capital murder last Friday, according to city officials.
Meanwhile, a 17-year-old has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old in Elgin early Tuesday morning.
A fatal accident occurred Tuesday morning southwest of the city on SH 45.
The Austin Police Department received 4,889 reports of car burglaries from January—August 2025, according to APD Crime Statistics.
Officials in Bexar County are looking for help solving a fatal shooting on Sunday.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is seeking any video footage taken in the early morning hours of September 28, 2025, at a party in the 13000 block of Luckey Road, where 17-year-old Alianna Ujueta was shot and killed following an altercation in the street.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on September 28, BCSO deputies were dispatched to the area for a reported shooting in progress in far southwest Bexar County. Upon arrival, deputies located a young female victim with a fatal gunshot wound. She was later identified as Alianna Ujueta. Investigators have determined that the shooting occurred during a physical altercation that took place outside the party, in the street, where witnesses may have been present when gunfire erupted. After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in a dark-colored pickup truck. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the community’s assistance in identifying those responsible for the shooting and killing of Alianna Ujueta.
Also out of Bexar County…
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added John Lynch Goodwin to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List, and Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Tensions were high Tuesday over the possible relocation of a controversial homeless navigation center.
Attorneys for a man found not guilty by reason of insanity in a deadly 2017 stabbing on UT’s campus will present their case Wednesday, arguing he has rehabilitated enough to leave a state mental hospital, and instead begin receiving outpatient services.
The city of Austin is taking steps to better handle 911 calls related to mental health issues, with a new partnership set to launch in October.
The City of Austin launched its new branding Tuesday on its website and social media pages.
The University of Texas System announced Tuesday it will audit courses related to gender studies to ensure compliance with state law at all its academic institutions, including UT Austin. (Daily Texan)
The Austin Independent School District superintendent said students and families should expect to see the district’s first draft plan on school consolidations and boundary changes Friday. (KXAN-TV)
The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum will close its main exhibit floor for renovations Monday, the 10th and third floor will not be impacted, and the temporary exhibit “From the White House to the Deep Ocean: LBJ, Jaws and Conservation” will stay open and available through October 19. After the temporary exhibit closes, the Great Hall featuring the Seal of the President of the United States can only be viewed from the steps of the third floor until the fourth floor reopens in spring 2026. (Daily Texan)
TWO DAYS UNTIL 2025 ACL FESTIVAL
Six tips for making the best use of free transportation being offered to and from Zilker Park during ACL. (My San Antonio)
Nearly three months after the devastating July floods, residents on a Burnet street are still struggling to rebuild, facing significant hurdles. Some have been ordered to pay for costly floodplain studies, while others question why the city isn’t providing repair assistance.
WEATHER
TUESDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
There are two hurricanes churning in the Atlantic, Humberto and Imelda.
State Representative James Talarico has exploded onto the scene in his Senate bid, announcing a massive $6.2 million raised in just the first three weeks. This staggering haul makes him an instant fundraising powerhouse, dwarfing the initial efforts of other recent Democratic statewide candidates. For perspective, his primary opponent, former U.S. Representative Colin Allred, needed two months to raise the same amount last cycle, while Beto O’Rourke‘s record-setting 2018 run took nine months to reach that threshold. (Texas Tribune)
Allred has raised more than $4.1 million since launching his campaign for Senate in July. (Axios)
From the Houston Chronicle:
Earlier this month, young conservatives packed into a hotel outside of Houston to hear from some of the state’s leading GOP voices at the Texas Youth Summit, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Conspicuously missing from the speakers lineup was U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who is in the primary fight of his career against Paxton.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz appeared to stumble over his words, accidentally urging his Senate colleagues to stop “attacking pedophiles” during a Tuesday committee hearing. (Houston Chronicle via MSN)
A federal court in El Paso will hear arguments today in a lawsuit challenging Texas’ mid-decade round of congressional redistricting. Civil rights groups are seeking to block the new map from taking effect before candidates have to file for the midterm elections. (Texas Standard)
Matthew and Eleanor speak with Eric Goff, founder of an energy policy advising firm, about the growth of wind and solar power in Texas and whether it will continue after recent federal efforts targeting the industry.
(Episode from September 30, 2025)
A court battle is set to begin over the newly drawn congressional maps. At stake is whether they go into effect for the 2026 midterm elections.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us to talk about the recent rise in political violence.
Have you heard of 7-OH? It’s the latest drug cropping up at convenience stores. Now there’s a fight in Texas to stop the sale of what’s known as “gas station heroin.”
A new book by former CDC Director Tom Frieden offers a formula for better health – potentially saving millions of lives.
And today’s Hispanic heritage moment spotlights the trio of brothers known as Los Lonely Boys.
(Episode from September 30, 2025)
Online sellers in Texas using platforms such as eBay, Poshmark, and Etsy face a new expense: the state is now collecting sales tax on the fees charged by these marketplaces. Buyers’ sales tax remains unchanged, but sellers must now pay a tax on their listing fees, commissions, and other platform charges. Considering marketplace fees can already be substantial—often 15% or more of the sale and shipping total on eBay—this new tax will slightly increase the cost of doing business for Texans. (KUT 90.5)
San Antonio’s city council is considering “strategic plans” for possible changes to the city’s iconic River Walk.
The Tarrant County appraisal district’s new auditing system erroneously flagged 18,000 homeowners for back taxes and having an invalid homestead exemption. (Fort Worth Star-elegram)
Roxanne Orsac, a 30-year veteran of H-E-B, will make history as the company’s first female president.
SPORTS
Austin FC aims to make history tonight when the Verde & Black will host and play in the Club’s first-ever major tournament final. Austin faces Nashville in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup Final, with the winner set to raise the prestigious trophy and earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. (Austin FC)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: As the Texas Longhorns prepare for conference play this weekend at Florida, the SEC Power Rankings place them at 9th. (Austin American-Statesman)
Texas Football 3 Days From SEC Opener @ Florida | LIVE | 10/1/25
Highway 86 to 207 from Turkey to Silverton to Claude showcases the Llano Estacado and Palo Duro Canyon, one of North America’s largest canyons.
