Local Employees Affected By Closures, Furloughs During Federal Shutdown | Local News

As thousands of federal workers face furloughs or delayed paychecks during the government shutdown, a Lompoc Valley business owner has again stepped up to offer help.

“It looks like history is repeating itself,” Wild West Pizza & Grill in Lompoc posted Tuesday night on social media, noting the looming shutdown.

Wednesday marked the start of the federal government’s new fiscal year, and lawmakers remain deadlocked, leading to another shutdown. The last shutdown occurred in 2018-19, during Donald Trump’s first presidency.

“We posted the following 7 years ago and we are making the same offer now,” Wild West’s post stated. “If you are a Federal Employee or a contractor who is out of work or won’t be getting a paycheck because of the shutdown, get a FREE Medium pizza on us. For the duration of the shutdown we’ve got your back.”

The offer is available from 5 p.m. to closing each day. The restaurant is located at 1137 North H St.

“At the end of the day, we don’t care if you are Republican or Democrat, we are all Americans who essentially want the same things for our country — so here’s to unity!” the post stated.

Earlier this year, Wild West’s David Goldy received a community service award for his ongoing support of Vandenberg personnel and their families.

During the federal government shutdown, “military personnel will continue in a normal duty status, without pay,” until a deal is reached, Defense Department officials said. Additionally, civilian personnel not engaged in “excepted activities” will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.

The Lompoc federal prisons’ correctional workers and other staff members — 439 in total — will continue their duties, with their pay delayed until the Washington, D.C., stalemate ends. 

Other local federal employees affected by the shutdown include those working for Los Padres National Forest, Social Security, federal courts and more.

Across California, federal civilian employment totaled 150,679 workers. While a Santa Barbara County number isn’t available, federal officials estimate 8,800 federal employees in the 24th Congressional District spanning from southern San Luis Obispo to northern Ventura counties, but also say that number could be lower or higher.

On Wednesday, social media accounts for federal agencies warned that updates would be light or non-existent because of the “lapse in appropriations.”

“This social media account will not be updated unless a critical national security mission will take place on the Vandenberg launch test range,” Vandenberg representatives posted on social media.

The next launch is scheduled for Friday, when a SpaceX rocket and a batch of Starlink satellites could head to orbit between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. 

Vandenberg’s child care programs will remain operational with regular operating hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to support mission readiness, including sports and instructional classes. 

The Duane G. Wolfe Fitness Center will remain accessible only to individuals with after-hours access. Users are not authorized to sponsor people. Each individual must scan in with their register ID.

Additionally, group fitness classes will continue without interruption.

However, intramural sports will be paused until further notice, and the annex weight room and annex parent child area will be closed.

The 30th Force Support Squadron announced other closures and changed hours while also being forced to cancel planned events such as a Spooky Spirits Mixology Class.

Also canceled, and likely irking her rabid supporters, is a Taylor Swift Paint Party minus the singer herself. Instead, attendees are invited to listen to the new album with fellow fans while painting “your Swifty masterpiece.”

Vandenberg Medical Group will not experience any changes to its operations because of the government shutdown, so clients should expect normal services. 

All AAFES locations on base, to include the Base Exchange, ClassSix, etc., will remain open at this time. 

As the shutdown began, some federal agency websites veered into politics despite ethics laws banning the behavior. 

“The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government. This government website will be updated periodically during the funding lapse for mission critical functions. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people,” the Los Padres National Forest site stated.

In addition to the White House, Republicans control both the House and Senate. Adopting a spending plan requires 60 votes in the Senate, a milestone they didn’t reach by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Laura Capps said the federal shutdown won’t immediately affect any county programs relying on federal funding since departments remain ready to bridge any shortfalls through October.

Federal funds have been allocated for county Public Health, so services will continue while key safety net programs under the umbrella of the county Social Services Department “remain stable for now.”

SNAP food benefits or CalFresh will be issued through October, but an extended showdown could cause changes. 

During the prior shutdown that spanned more than 30 days in late 2018 and early 2019, several federal workers found themselves seeking help from the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and other assistance.